Bodyshop: The Photoshop Retouching Guide for the Face and Body

Basic Overview: Workflow

A functioning workflow is largely dependent on the equipment of your work area. This means not only the equipment of computer and monitor, but also the organization of the workspace in Photoshop and the installation of supporting programs.

Hardware

1. Get the most powerful computer for image editing you can afford.

2. Equip your computer with as much RAM as possible. You should have no less than 2 GB, unless you are working only with small images for the internet and do not require any other programs.

3. Get a fast graphics card, especially when using 3D and video files.

4. A large monitor of at least 19 or 21 inches which can be hardware calibrated would be a great advantage.

5. Get a second monitor for the panels. This can be smaller than the main monitor and does not need to be cali-bratable.

6. A monitor calibration device is available at very low prices (for example http://xrite.com, http://www.basic-color.de/). In a pinch you can also use the computer's own calibration tools. You will find them in the System settings "Monitor" (for Mac) or "Adobe Gamma" (for Windows), they are better than nothing.

7. Set the monitor to a color temperature of 6500 or 5000 degrees Kelvin. Take note of the recommendations in the monitor manufacturer's handbook and set the background of the operating system to a neutral gray.

8. With a graphics tablet by Wacom you can for example regulate the brush size simply by altering the pressure on the stylus. With different pens, a variety of tasks can be completed ...