The Amazing Power of Frequency Separation Retouching in Photoshop

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Download the Free Frequency Separation Action Here:
phlearn.com/tutorial/the-amaz...
What is Frequency Separation?
Frequency separation helps make retouching a portrait easier in Photoshop. Frequency separation works because it allows you to separate the texture of an image from the tone and color. When retouching you can focus on just the texture or the skin beneath it.
Master Frequency Separation Here:
phlearn.com/learn-frequency-s...
Download the Free Frequency Separation Action Here:
phlearn.com/perfect-skin-actio...
It sounds quite complex but in practice it is quite simple. If you want to work with texture, choose the high frequency layer, if you want to work with skin choose the low frequency layer.
Getting Started with Frequency Separation
To get your image set up for frequency separation you will have to make 2 copies of your background layer. If you are not starting from the beginning, add a Stamp Visible layer over all layers by typing CTRL+ALT+OPTN+E. One of these copies will be for your low frequency (skin) and one will be for your high frequency (texture).
First apply a Gaussian Blur to the lower (low frequency) layer. Choose a radius that blurs out the skin texture, but don't go too far as to make the face unrecognizable.
Next choose your high frequency layer and go to Image, Apply Image. Here you will want to se the Layer: to the low frequency layer. For blending choose Subtract and for Scale:2, Offset:128. These will be your settings every time, no need to change them.
Now you should have one layer with a blur (low frequency) and a layer above it that looks mostly gray (high frequency). Select the high frequency layer and change the blending mode to "Linear Light".
Your image should now look identical to the image before you started the process.
Correcting Underlying Color
To correct the underlying color (skin) choose an area with the lasso tool. I suggest feathering the selection to make it look more realistic. Use Q for Quick Mask as a quick way to see what your selection looks like. After you have made your selection choose the low frequency (blurred) layer and apply a Gaussian Blur in the selection. Choose a radius high enough to blend the tones together.
Repeat this process over different areas of the portrait to smooth the skin tones. Because the texture is on a different layer, it should stay in tact during this entire process.
Correcting Texture
If you need to correct texture, we recommend waiting until after you do the tone. Select the high frequency layer and choose the Clone Stamp Tool. In the Clone Stamp Tool settings be sure to hit Sample: Current Layer. This will make sure you are just using the texture and not sampling anything else. Then on your high frequency layer sample good skin texture using ALT and then paint over "bad" skin texture. This will work very well for stray hairs, acne, wrinkles and other small blemishes.
Free Frequency Separation Action
If you want to skip making your own frequency separation layers be sure to download our Frequency Separation Retouching Photoshop Action. It is designed for use in Photoshop CC.
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Download the Frequency Separation Brush here: phlearn.com/amazing-power-fre...

[@rasberryiceify]

you have just explained something that my lecturers failed to properly explain in 3 years within 15 minutes. you sir are an amazing teacher

[@yourface747]

i find its the same with every educational youtube video i watch XD

[@JamiLeighImminga]

Oh! So your lectures actually (try) to explain things in your education? I wish I could say the same thing...

[@sjdennis]

I know he said this a few times in the tutorial, but people please be careful with how much you edit skin tones and make them plastic or fake, I know myself to be guilty of this in the past. This is a very powerful technique but not to be used in every image or as a quick fix solution to bad images. Like all good photographers keep saying time and time again, get it right in camera, so that might mean use a good makeup artist, light the image right, and then make only the necessary adjustments or touch ups in Photoshop. Here is a recent edit using Freq Sep i.imgur.com/qrF7EAC.jpg let me know if it has been over done. Keep the great tutorials coming Phlearn!

[@rasberryiceify]

Sam Dennis why did you write that on my comment?

[@ee9317]

I agree! He's really good!

[@limap8668]

I know this is 2014, so maybe I'm a little late, but let me say this: YOU ROCK. Been following your videos and seeing the youtube suggestions from your channel, and I'm amazed. This for instance, I was looking for frequency separation tutorials. I was confused/ worried because takes to long. But this method is so much better. You have such a way of explaining things, and turned them simple. I'm really blown away. Thank you. You really help me a lot.

[@princeericsexy]

is it still too late to say it?

[@Victoria-fu1ce]

How good has your skills grown ?

[@knightphox]

Fast forward 5 more years :)

[@spiderjerusalem8505]

@@knightphox, sneed!

[@JexxStuff]

Clear, concise, easy to follow with a friendly tone. One of the best teachers KZbin has on their roster. Thanks for your awesome videos Aaron.

[@ciaranyohanbrennan]

Great tutorial , the only addition/suggestion I would add is instead of using lasso tool and gaussian blur. do this instead : alternative: 1. duplicate 'layer 0 copy' apply gaussian blur to the duplicate 2. add a layer mask to the duplicated 'layer 0 copy' that has the blur applied 3.fill the mask with black 4. paint back in the blurs as needed by painting white into the mask there's way more subtlety and control with this method because you can use the brushes instead of awkward lasso selections and you can easily change back if you feel you've added too much blur. hope that made sense

[@Cynthia-vc5po]

Thanks a LOT for the advice. Willian Jhonattam try this!

[@buckyfg9017]

I thought the same thing and it is a comfortable familiar way BUT.... he is applying different strengths of blur to different parts to taste. You cannot do that with the other method and lose some creative control over the picture If you want a medium blur all around it'll work like a charm though.

[@ciaranyohanbrennan]

but the shade of black/white you paint into the mask will dictate the amount of blur

[@ciaranyohanbrennan]

this is true

[@benhongzhang2999]

Actually, I can't blur " layer o copy" after I group these two layers. So I did what you suggested.

[@TheNicolesau]

This never made sense to me... Until now. Wow, thank you! And also, thank you so much for generously offering the action. I've been watching these tutorials every day for 2 weeks now. I'm hooked! I've never had so many PS techniques explained so CLEARLY and in a way that holds my attention. I finally feel like I'm making significant progress in developing my PS knowledge. You guys do excellent work and help out a ton of people. So much gratitude! Thanks!

[@guardianobserver6593]

Nicole Saunders Wow.

[@erniepaniccioli]

Your videos are sharp, clear and light. Exactly what I needed, thank you, appreciated.

[@kapturelab]

You're extremely proficient in explaining more advanced aspects of Photoshop. I like the way to stopped at 5:13 to sort of do a check that we're all at the right point. I also love the way you gave an explanation at the start of the video. Some KZbinrs just jump right in with little context. They say it's skin retouching but don't explain the method at the start, so it feels like you are just blindly following along. I'll definitely try support this channel by subscribing on your website. Thank you!

[@carolinatoth8808]

Just when I think you can't get any more awesome, I go and watch another one of your tutorials (like this one) and you prove me wrong. The PSer in me truly hearts you.

[@hairartist63]

I've seen many of these freq. sep tutorials and this is by far the best. It's detailed but easy to understand. You're a born teacher!

[@gaiaarmellin]

I'm so amazed! You cannot stop learning about Photoshop, even after 4 years I feel I'm still a newbie when I bumped into some brilliant technique like this one :D THANK YOU!

[@KevJYT]

This is genius. It's an better/advanced version of straight up cloning and healing, with separating colour and texture making things so much simpler. Thank you for teaching it so well.

[@charmingorion0778]

Hey Phlearn, I just want to personally thank u soooo much for teaching us this frequency separation technique. Now my corporate photos look perfect and so natural!

[@ksanders308]

You are a friggin genius. I made a photography playlist for tutorials and tips and all the videos in it so far are your videos. Lol. For real though you've gotten me so interested in compositing.

[@DrUmangKhanna]

great ! brilliant !extraordinary

[@vincentjohnflorio]

I have heard of this before, and even attempted it, but this is the brass tacks version I needed to understand -why- I am doing what I am doing, and also dive in with flexibility right away. Amazing for ffree content, and concise, too. THANKS!

[@cassymeyer881]

BEST frequency separation tutorial EVER! I have wanted to learn this technique for so long and you do an AMAZING job of teaching it! :D

[@soothingsoundvideos]

This is the best FS video on KZbin! Very easy to understand and execute.Thanks, Aaron Nace.

[@ibnmaikori]

Frequency separation made easy. Thanks

[@Sarahshotme]

This technique has BLOWN MY MIND and has made an amazing difference in my close-up portrait work!

[@gokhandilek3800]

Aaron, you're definately "the best" at what you do! Something big like "Frequency Separation Retouching" in less than 14 minutes, now that's pure magic! Keep on man! Big time fan of yours!

[@MrTerryRay1]

Hey Aaron, I know this is years late, but I gotta tell you, frequency separation is a game changer! I tried this on a photo that I didn't even make any adjustments to, and it looked amazing! Thanks for your explanation of this technique. You made it easy to understand. I know I have a lot more to learn, but I'm excited to learn more and I'll be watching more and more of your videos and practicing. Thanks.

[@MrTerryRay1]

👍🏽

[@sameeraathukorala7732]

TerryRay why dont you use brush for this matter

[@adamnanista819]

every single tutorial of yours shows me how i suck in photoshop. thanks for that

[@Lordprettyflackojodi]

lol

[@chrisroach8385]

Adam Nanista ha ! Exactly

[@rubenrivas6796]

At least I know I’m not the only one.

[@nafisdelacruz9703]

not knowing always presents a beautiful opportunity for growth 💗

[@cyberdan735]

Adam, Ive been using photoshop for years and years, Photostyler before that. I agree, its quite clear I'm an old dog learning new tricks. Every tutorial I watch, I'm like Wow. This is just so amazing and fun. I'm sure you don't suck. If your willing to learn new things and keep working, you are far ahead of the curve!!

[@bpcl1980]

Wow awesome! I've been using Photoshop for over 20 years but never truly understood how Freq Separation worked and why its so important. I've watched many tuts on how to use it but always thought "why, when i can just fix stuff using the patch or spot healer tools?". Now I get why I've never achieved the results I've been striving for using other methods. I always learn more from you in a shorter time because you explain clearly without condescending, so thank you! I love your teachings! :)

[@RunNGunPhoto]

*Gotta love Frequency Separation when it's done right!* 👍 👍 👍 Thank you for sharing!

[@denisgirard2481]

Man, what a great Tutorial! I thank you very much! :DDD

[@Dikc]

All i can say is OMFG WOW!!! i've put off watching this video as i already 'thought' I knew how to frequency separate ... all i can say is that adding the gaussian blur using the lass tool ....MAGIC!!!!! like black magic!! thanks man its taken my editing to another level!! Hail!!! all mighty photoshop wizard!!! *bowing on my knees like an aztec to the first spaniards!*

[@amillisworld3939]

Ryan Dicks agreeeddd!!! This is way better with the lasso tool and blurring

[@jjseandxcefree]

"bowing on my knees like an aztec to the first spaniards!" You should get educated. The Aztecs never bowed, they were massacred because they refused to bow.

[@maxkurtson9892]

Ryan Dicks What ^^ he said. Omg, just tried it and it's serious stuff indeed.

[@AdAstraComunicazione]

Jj Sands Actually, most of the aztecs were killed by european deseases...

[@Tina_Fay]

Aaron you are a hero. Cannot thank you enough for your helpful tutorials that have gotten me through university and potentially a career. I will have no-one else teaching me photoshop, simply won't have it! :)

[@odarrien]

Thank you so much for this! Very well explained and easy to understand. I was able to get my first retouching done. Thank you! I also realized that duplicating the texture layer allowed me to make a slightly soft image seem a bit more in focus/ crisper with a bit of making to the eyes.

[@ncshuriken]

This is an impressive feature man! Thanks for the tut, I'm surprised it wasn't included as its own tool though considering how useful it is!

[@madison817]

the way you explain it is perfect - thank you!

[@madison817]

would you do content-aware spot healing first or frequency separation, or is it one or the other?

[@kdhinter]

Jacqueline Sy seems to me that this does the job of the spot healing

[@iAngelk336]

Jacqueline Sy if you do spot healing first you can lose some of your texture that you may want to preserve. not to mention you can use all the retouching tools (clone stamp, Spot heal, patch, etc.) on these layers so there isn't much point in doing it first.

[@johjalo1]

I love, love, LOVE your photoshop tutorials! Brilliantly explained, easy to follow, engaging and funny. Nothing beats it! :)

[@AlvinRemus]

You don’t know how thankful I am for this video. Keep up the good material, best of wishes to you!!

[@dudepersonvids]

I've been struggling to apply this concept in (ancient) Photoshop Elements and JUST figured out how. There is no "apply image" or "subtract blending mode" - but you can make two copies of the original, Gaussian Blur 1st layer by 4px (for example), then highpass second layer at 4px and set it to "Linear Light" at 50% opacity. It's probably 50% opacity because you can't scale the effect by 2 like in "apply image" or something. But I KNEW there was a workaround!

[@goldhillproductions]

My head just exploded! Great tutorial :)

[@goldhillproductions]

Haha! It was worth persevering. Looking forward to trying this approach on the new CC2014 version over the weekend :)

[@maritwitucki534]

I regularly come back to this video for a refresher if I haven't needed to retouch faces in a while. It blows me away every single time. I downloaded the action several years ago and it is my favorite one to use to retouch. If, like me, you have the action already and you don't need to build the layers and you are just coming back as a refresher, the part you probably want to watch should start at 6:10

[@erinjones2354]

Love this! SO so helpful! I downloaded the action too, but I was able to follow along from the beginning and learn how to create it. This just took so much time out of editing senior portraits! THANK YOU AARON!

[@FunDumb]

Who knew plearning could be so phun!

[@age365]

This phlutorial was phlwesome

[@karenkosasi3839]

you are SUCH a good teacher. I understood your pace and your instructions perfectly. Thank you for taking the time to make this tutorial!

[@stefanomarsili731]

Best frequency separation lesson I ever saw. Effective, coincise, fun. Congratulations!

[@radu19d]

Amazing video! I can't believe how useful this is! So far I was using Smart Blurred layer + High pass layer above. Works good and it's faster but the result is not that natural as this tenhque

[@user-wh5pk4mw3f]

[@muhammadzazulirizki1000]

This is a great tutorial! Anyway, about the scale=2 and offset=128 value. I'm not sure what the scale value does, probably the radius of our texture. But I think why we should set the value of offset=128 because that was the exact value of middle grey for RGB color mode (256 divided by 2 = 128). So, R = 128; G =128; B = 128. Why the middle grey? Because as far as I know, some layer blending modes like Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, etc, will makes any pixel in middle grey value is going to be perfectly transparant to the layer beneath it, like it got erased (but it's not). Makes sense? Just try it yourself. Therefore, at Frequency Separation method, the concept is just the same. When we set the offset value to 128, generally the skin would changed to middle grey (which is going to looks transparant as we change the layer blending mode), and the textures changed to lighter or darker pixels. The layer blending mode that work best for this method is Linear Light. At this point, you will see only the textures and our blured skin from the layer beneath it. I'm not even sure if anyone would read this (I mean, it's too long and not that important though), but please, correct me if I'm wrong. Sorry for the complicated explanation, and sorry for my bad english.

[@ewoknroll]

cool. It's good to know what they are for. If it changes anything at all it has potential to be useful

[@muhammadzazulirizki1000]

Thanks! Glad to know there's someone would read this. LOL

[@willianjhonatta]

When you make the selection on the low layer and select gaussian blur it makes it darker and does not blur it. Reset my preferences, still does not work. I am using photoshop cc2015.5

[@gadjetgreg]

Willian Jhonattam I get the same thing, I thought it was only me

[@gadjetgreg]

can anyone answer Williams question, thanks for the help.

[@SergioAUlber]

man, i used it to restore an old photo and it works really, really well... thank you so much.

[@Brittfenny]

Thank you so much for this!! I have watched so many tutorials about this but was still so confused. Finally starting to wrap my head around it! thanks! xx

[@digital_whispers]

made me clap and say: "Amazing!"

[@Murphy252000]

Mate, you are tha man, cheers from Eire....

[@Murphy252000]

Really, you make it clear and easy! Keep up the good work....

[@paaaaaaaamela]

So many photoshop tutorials out there, Phlearn has the best ones IMHO

[@jeroenhoedjes2508]

This is by far the best tutorial on frequency separation... ever!

[@jasonpotter8728]

Great video! A suggestion for the next video is on the proper use of refine edge since I've been having a lot of trouble separating the subject and the background. Thanks :)

[@jjgunt]

Yeah me too!

[@dekust]

Indeed....and please use a photo with a person on it who has big fuzzy hair and stands in front of a complex background.....

[@lokeshpamarthi4726]

HI i am unable to use this technique . after completing the frequency separation,i am selecting with laso tool in blur layer while applying the Gassuian blur there is no change observing . can you help me in this issue

[@vitalis]

same here

[@kylecalica8530]

Thank you for actually explaining how it works and what it's doing in the beginning and not just showing how to do it.

[@santospoland]

Beautiful Tip! Simplicity and effectiveness in one little package. Like this episode, love it, one of the best.

[@CalebWolf]

8:24 Just a word of advice, use the actual blur tool in the tool box. You'll have a bit more control in making it look even.

[@UncleSalie]

This is a great photo and she's a great model, but it really looks CG. I know, I know, it isn't. But it looks like something I'd see on the CGSociety newsletter.

[@donsheffler]

He said he overdid it on purpose so we could see the effect

[@susangoines1137]

Thank you! Your approach to step by step learning is so easy to understand and apply. You really make the complex magic of this program accessible. Very helpful.

[@KamleshKumar-mf6ov]

Sxsl

[@BrandyReneePhotographyTV]

I've used this method so many times and it's amazing! I'll never go back to gaussian blur haha!

[@muffemod]

lol he used Gaussian blur in the method 7:47

[@DrStoCazzo]

even before the retouch i thought it was a 3d render XD

[@queijocomkiwi]

Seriously one of the coolest tutorials I have ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@apamacam4838]

Thank you for taking the time to explain the principle ideas behind this techniques. I have been watching other youtube video about FS as well, but only after watching yours I started to understand why they do the way they did.

[@neggroplease]

I’ve learned something new in 10 minutes. Now back to procrastinating.

[@Davontay249]

😂😂😂

[@dannymcgaffin1169]

Hi Aaron,I have followed your technique but when I get to making a selection for the blur , once I make the selection and go to filter gausian blur ,I start sliding the blur and instead of it getting a blur it goes dark ? I've watched the video and can't work out what I'm doing wrong ? Thanks in advance Danny

[@cotiphotography7060]

+Danny McGaffin I'm having the same problerm...did you figure it out?

[@dannymcgaffin1169]

+Coti Photography no no luck as yet

[@lavalova1]

made sure you selected the right layer ?

[@HHAAA1990]

same problem

[@sanjayrao9685]

it will work... u might have to reduce the blur

[@AshishTibrewal]

Thank you so much in explaining it in the most simplest manner possible and also for the free Action. I can see the improvement in my picture.

[@melodeehughes1993]

Awesome! Unbelievable! Now to actually put it to use! Thanks so much for putting together these awesome tutorials!

[@ThePrairieFairymb]

Hey Aron, no matter what I do the detail layer comes up solid grey, not looking like a high pass filter so of course it doesn't work. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Help would be lovely thanks!

[@DAllenMartinphotos]

Roberta Laliberte Same problem on some images, but not all. Wondering if it's because the images it's happening on might be 16 bit? Looking forward to seeing this answered.

[@Ruffffrider]

Aaron's version was for 8 bit images. For 16 bits, blending mode is ADD, scale 2 offset 0. Click Invert.

[@DAllenMartinphotos]

***** Where do we look to find out if an image is 8 or 16 bit though? I was just guessing that the problem might have been caused by a given image not being 8 bit while trying to follow along with the tutorial.

[@Ruffffrider]

D. Allen Martin while in Photoshop, go to IMAGE then MODE and towards the bottom of that drop down menu, you'll see the options for 8-16-32 bits. Pick the one you want. I have never used 32 bits.

[@chazM6116]

+D. Allen Martin It what ever you set ACR to send to Photoshop

[@JacktheSmack]

My girlfriend loves me for making her school ID look amazing with this!

[@samuelmyles2164]

Nice

[@amine5238]

Amazing pedagogy. Here’s someone who understands what he’s doing and knows how to transmit it. Thank you

[@briankivuti]

WHOOOOOAAAA! THIS IS SO COOL! Thank you!! :D Plus you didn't take forever to teach it WOOOP!

[@nancycuppy2371]

When you make the selection on the low layer and select gaussian blur it makes it darker and does not blur it. Reset my preferences, still does not work. I am using photoshop cc2015.5

[@Papazapraidis]

Same problem here. Did you find a solution?

[@willianjhonatta]

Same problem here too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@willianjhonatta]

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp

[@johnsagar9255]

Yes just tried to use it and not working for me on - cc 2015.5

[@leeennddaa853]

I'm also having this same problem! I've used the tutorial before and it worked fine, but on the image I'm working on today... it's just making the selection dark gray, and not blurring it??

[@willianjhonatta]

*Aron, when you make the selection on the low layer and select gaussian blur it makes it darker and does not blur it. Reset my preferences, still does not work. I am using photoshop cc2015.5. HELP!*

[@willianjhonatta]

*HELP*

[@DungNguyen-bp5qh]

me too :(

[@Papazapraidis]

Hello, try apply less blur on the layer at first . if you aplly to much blur this problem occurs.

[@willianjhonatta]

Stefanos Papazapraidis is a gray color when you apply the gaussian blur, I already did everything. Before this did not happen. another solution?

[@willianjhonatta]

Stefanos Papazapraidis formerly was blurred now is only gray

[@ternavasso1963]

The best tutorial on frequency separation ever! Thanks a lot.

[@Janet12663]

THANK YOU!!! Such a great explanation!!! You're a great teacher & THANK YOU for the FREE action!!!

[@MelinaHollway]

I've been trying to do this version of frequency separation on the new CC with no luck, when you use the lasso tool and then put the gaussian blur into the selection it doesn't have a nice effect, is anybody else having the same issue?

[@FouadTadros]

exactly the same problem is happening with me, I'm on CS6 though. when i use the lasso tool it doesn't blur the spot but rather add this grey effect on it ... tell me if you figure out how to fix it!

[@FouadTadros]

***** can you help us please?

[@FouadTadros]

***** I also tried to use the action, I'm getting the same result

[@MelinaHollway]

Fouad Tadros yes the exact same thing for me, you have to pump the blur up to the max amount to get it to do anything thats noticeable and its just a horrible grey colour that looks like a bruise on the skin. ***** Please help because I really want to be able to apply this technique! :)

[@jmgcg]

Melina Hollway and Fouad Tadros how many blur are you applying?? I´m asking this because, after Melina ask where, what is happening i went to try with a high Pixel radius Blur, and i notice if you go above 100 it will give you and gray effect in the Low layer.

[@WishaFish]

Just letting you know, I love you

[@annafomin]

amazing video! Tried to watch other youtube videos, couldn't understand anything, Watched this and now it seems so easy! Thank you!

[@larrynevins101]

Many, many thanks! I have struggled to introduce PS into my LR workflow, but doing one new function at a time is helping. This tutorial was instrumental to finalizing some skin retouching that I was struggling with.

[@austinh9290]

So wait... i've seen two very professional tutorials saying to ( in the apply image dialogue box ) to set the blending mode to ADD. and you set it to SUBTRACT. Whats the difference? because add works too....

[@jonathanmatthew5631]

if your image is 8 bit, use subtract. If your image is 16bit, use add, then check the invert box then offset = 0

[@EyesSquared]

What I'm hearing/seeing are these values to use in the "Apply Image" dialog box: - For 8 bit files: use "Subtract", Scale 2, Offset 128 - For 16 bit files, use "Add", Scale 2, Offset 0, check "Invert" box. Maybe Aaron/Phlearn can confirm if this is correct?

[@jonathanmatthew5631]

Yes that is correct

[@HeavensEchoUWEC]

does the layer still need to be changed to 'linear light'?

[@HeavensEchoUWEC]

found my answer, for 16 bit images, you must use 'invert' in the apply image panel to get the middle grey

[@yamessaves5745]

I think there might be a bug in photoshop CC, about a quarter of the time I get nothing but a flat gray block, zero detail.

[@daiindaioutproductions2963]

yes i get the same thing, how do i fix that?

[@jschotsborg]

Used and watched this tutorial over and over again, thanx so much

[@mrbob8695]

Aaron don't ever stop. Your a treasure.

[@dailyforman]

from photo to --> 3d model

[@Senn3x]

***** Give us a few years sir, we are working on it, very soon our 3D models will look a lot better and more real than real life women and we will not need even need human models.

[@Senn3x]

!!! Are you certain? I cannot wait.

[@asslopgaming6491]

***** what is so perverted about removing spots from skin for a beauty mag we all know it is photoshoped so no one will care because they know it is not real and it is just to sell products

[@asslopgaming6491]

***** ya, i can see where you are going with this i just did not understand the perversion part

[@asslopgaming6491]

***** oh ty

[@BMR_WRLD]

where is the free action?

[@Mark_R_Tho]

phlearn.com/amazing-power-frequency-separation-retouching-photoshop

[@BMR_WRLD]

+Mark Milner you rock, thanks. I see Macosx in files, is the other for Windows version?

[@Mark_R_Tho]

+Royce Johnson no clue, to be honest. I'm BRAND new to PS😕

[@thebigpicture3480]

+Royce Johnson . You should see in the zip a file named [Phlearn Frequency Separation] right under the macosx folder. Copy it on your desktop, double-click it and choose [open with photoshop]. In photoshop, open your action tab Window->Action (or Alt+F9) and you'll see it at the bottom. Choose your layer on your working file, and press the small play button at the bottom of the action tab.

[@mrt5183]

Finally the best and easiest explanation to follow and understand. 👏🏽🙌🏽

[@blueridgepics]

Awesome tutorial, and you explained it so well as always. Thank you. Aaron!!!

[@ProxCyde]

This isn't a great use of lasso tool to be honest. And he probably knows it, but does it to save time on the video. But I'd say it's better to work in smaller areas with more control using a blending brush of sorts. At least if you have a tablet. You don't want to blend everything. Unless that's a specific look you want. More CG looking.

[@Odysseus_Outis]

+Neeken // i had the exact same thoughts,,, the brush uses w/ different blending / strengths..etc. !. (while thinking the rest is upto individual application skills as the whole idea here is to separate the texture & color/contrast values.)

[@chambertlo]

So, the image goes from looking natural, to looking fake, plasticky and doll-like? Yeah, I think we need LESS of this, thanks.

[@BarryTheElephant]

Like it or not, photo-retouching is here to stay. Plus frequency separation can be used for much more than dolling up a face.

[@mmiski]

Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels the same. Personally I refuse to take jobs which involve heavy photo manipulation. I mean it's one thing to fix up bad product shots (lighting, artifacts, reflections, etc.)-I've already done a lot of that and I love the challenge of it. But it's another thing to change a natural photo with tons of gorgeous details to the point where it looks ridiculously fake. BTW this isn't a jab at the video poster at all. The guy is obviously very talented and knows exactly what he's doing. I just wish this trend of making images look overly fake and plasticy would go away for good. There's nothing wrong with enjoying a naturally beautiful photo with all of its small imperfections. I mean heaven forbid it might actually do wonders for a society which is so paranoid about body image issues.

[@BarryTheElephant]

Agree. Its natural though that no-one wants an unflattering image of themselves. I typically use this technique for portraits where people have very red skin, either acne or flushing. It works well to pull the red back without looking unnatural. And there are instances where you want to go for a hyperreal looking portrait, that's not necessarily a fashion shot. At the end of the day, whether we like it or not, beauty sells. Vogue isn't going to have pockmarked, blotchy skinned "looking" girls on their cover any time soon.

[@slagjoeyoco]

M Saez While I do understand and generally agree with your point, I have to say this technique is a lot less radical than what many other retouchers would use. In many magazine photos you'll see they even erase much of the skin's texture because people think that dimples etc. are "ugly". This technique can preserve texture and the decision of how much of the texture and light differences you want to change is left to you. So yeah, obviously, it heavily depends on the user when it comes to how much of a face's natural looks you want to erase. But this technique at least gives you the freedom to be more precise with your retouching while leaving the most important features of the photo intact - again, IF you want that.

[@ncshuriken]

M Saez Have you never seen any magazine covers!? Models get Photoshopped to the Nth degree and beyond, all the time...

[@JemKem]

This method is AMAZING! This method combined with the one I learned from Joel Grimes is the bomb! I love the quickness the selection and blurring gives :D Thank you!

[@lilymartin5599]

this is such a lifesaver!! i photograph newborns and this action totally transformed my editing!! i had a really blotchy and pealing skin and it was a lifesaver!!!!!! thank you!

[@ryanjamesnagayo5756]

I learned a lot about photoshop through phlearn. thanks to all the ideas and all the knowledge you've given to us. More power to PHLEARN. More tutorials too! :)

[@TheAwesomeMrMike]

Thanks for this tutorial, it has taught me a lot and my images have improved a great deal!

[@judesr8172]

Aron, I just wanted to say, I have used this video like seriously around 15 times since the first time I saw it. I don't use FSep very often, so I can never remember how to do it. Thanks so much. Every time I use it, I'm thankful all over again. ;)

[@ashleighduroncelet9054]

Finally, I find a video that I can follow along with! And the result is amazing!

[@garriedhillon8481]

The best teacher I’ve came across so far! Thanks for making such an amazing videos for us❤️

[@salsakidz]

Such a professional channel and such a well spoken presenter. Well done!

[@shatayudange1705]

Thank you so much ! You teach everything clearly and to the point.

[@paulnelson1807]

Thank you ! You always have such great tutorials with excellent production!

[@mayizam]

This is one of the most useful PS techniques I have learned in a long time... Thanks!

[@paulrousmedia]

Amazing! So simple, yet so effective. Thanks a lot.

[@cynthiaqiu137]

I am just amazed at how much I learn every time I watch your video, and I am not a beginner photoshopper.

[@The1KarL1]

Aaron, thank you so much for sharing this amazing skill with us. I just tried it for the first time and was blown away :)

[@NatalieVmua]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS, IVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO "GET" THIS TWCHNIQUE AND NOW I CAN! I JUST USED THE ACTION AND FOLLOWED THIS, TY TY