One of the most important tasks when editing portrait photos is carefully adjusting the model’s skin, so it looks as good as possible while retaining enough texture and other attributes for a realistic look. Typically, that means eliminating obvious blemishes and other imperfections like dry patches or oily spots.

Today’s Lightroom tutorial is a bit different because the pretty model has almost flawless skin. So, what’s the problem? Well, some folks (and the model herself) might find her face a bit too pale for their liking. As you’ll see in the six-minute below, this fix is a much easier enhancement than those mentioned above.

Image-editing expert Anthony Morganti is a favorite among Shutterbug readers because of his knack for simplifying common post-processing tasks. In this episode he demonstrates how to make a portrait more inviting by altering the tone of the subject’s skin in a way that mimics a subtle, healthy tan.

Morganti notes that he usually limits his portrait editing to removing skin imperfections like those mentioned above. In fact, he says he’s never changed the tint of a subject’s skin, until he was recently asked to do so by a subject he photographed. He gave it a try and reveals a quick way to get the job done using the stock photo you see here.

As you’ll see, this method owes its simplicity to Lightroom’s new Masking capabilities. After opening the Masking panel Morganti selects the People Mask and chooses both Facial Skin and Body Skin from the dropdown menu. By then clicking Create Mask, the simple transformation is underway.

If Lightroom misses part of the body (or face) as it did here, simply click the Add button near the top of the panel, making sure Auto Mask is turned on. Then it’s a simple matter to use a brush to paint in whatever was missed. Morganti has some good advice for the best settings to use.

Once the Mask is ready it’s time to make the skin-tone enhancement, which Morganti says is “super easy to.” After watching him use Lightroom’s Tone Curve tool, beginning with the blue curve, we think you’ll agree. Morganti warns to be careful when moving on to the red curve because it’s easy to overdo things when making this adjustment.

After watching this video, pay a visit to Morganti’s popular YouTube channel where there’s much more to learn.

We also suggest watching the tutorial we posted earlier, with a color-grading primer that explains several simple techniques for beginners.

At the beginning of this year, I made a resolution to try new things in photography, so I wouldn’t get stuck in one place. They say it’s good to occasionally leave the comfort zone of familiar routines and embark on an unexplored path. I ventured onto such a path yesterday when I photographed a wedding for the first time in many years. However, in the end, I found myself most enjoying capturing familiar wildlife subjects, such as “kids in flight.”

Shooting in manual mode is considered by many novice photographers to be a difficult task reserved for professionals. In this article, I’ll try to show you that the opposite is often true – shooting in manual mode doesn’t need to be hard, and it can take your wildlife photos to another level.

Exactly what is a Platypod Handle? It’s a grip for vloggers. It’s a tripod tool: a camera riser. It’s a versatile attachment point for lighting paraphernalia, microphones, monitoring gear and other accessories. It pairs perfectly with any Platypod tripod alternative and the Platypod Grip ballhead. It’s the brainchild of highly respected NJ physician and brilliant inventor, Dr. Larry Tiefenbrunn, CEO at Platypod Pro LLC.

We estimate that there are more than 99 ways to modify, adjust and deploy this multifunction camera-attachment accessory, not including the dozens you’ll think of yourself. The Platypod people offer a large number of components that work superbly with the Platypod Handle. To see a few of the applications in action, check out this YouTube video.

The Platypod Handle started out on Kickstarter. At the most recent accounting, 1,539 backers pledged $127,767 to advance it from a dream into a reality. It’s expected to begin shipping in August, and you can still get a handsome discount if you preorder.

While Shutterbug, by policy, refrains from covering products that are not yet on dealers’ shelves, we’ve been covering the Platypod Phenomena since 2015 as evidenced by this article in which we call the Platypod Pro “…quite possibly the coolest camera support around.” So we have enormous confidence about the viability of the brand.

In the Hand
The Platypod Handle is a robust handful. It strongly resembles the lower portion of a three-stage rocket and sports the stylish silver-on-black coloration of a classic Exacta film SLR. Measuring 6.5 inches in the normal position, the Handle extends to 10.5 inches and the girth is about 1.5 inches at its widest point. Weight is about 7.6 ounces, just under one-half pound. It can be collapsed to 3 inches with a few disassembly twists of its cleverly designed torso.

Up top we find a 3/8-16 permanently attached stainless steel bolt that accommodates standard ballheads. Eight equidistantly-spaced 1/4-20 threaded sockets encircle the CNC-machined aluminum alloy cap. On the bottom a round Arca Swiss compatible base with a 3/8-16, stainless steel reinforced socket, awaits attachment directly to tripod legs.

The threaded parts are very secure yet easy to manipulate. You’ll be like a kid with an Erector Set when you customize the configuration. If you don’t know what an Erector Set is, it’s clear you haven’t been a kid for a very long time.

In the Field
The Platypod Handle allows users to make microadjustments to a camera’s position above the tripod legs with great precision. We found this very useful when doing Macro work. Used with any Platypod it provides excellent height above the ground or working surface. Once again, this function is very useful for Macro, especially flowers and other subjects below knee level. 

Used solo as a vlogger’s grip, the Platypod Handle is adequate but unremarkable. It has no extra features unless you attach lighting or audio accessories to it. Then it roars. It’s also a more substantial handful compared to typical grips, and that’s a welcomed differentiator.

Conclusion
The Platypod Handle is a versatile tool with many flexible functions. Whether using it as a camera riser on a tripod, as an extension of a Platypod tripod alternative or as a base for attaching lighting, sound and monitor equipment, you’ll find it immensely useful and easy to pack, carry and store. And it looks really cool.

Price & Availability
As declared in the text above, the Platypod Handle began its journey on Kickstarter. Deliveries are expected to begin in August to Kickstarter backers who will, of course, receive their Handles first. Everyday price is $69 but visit the Platypod website and check for preorder savings offers.

 

—Jon Sienkiewicz