How can frequency separation improve your studio photography edits?

1 What you need

To use frequency separation, you need a photo editing software that supports layers and blending modes, such as Photoshop. You also need a studio portrait that is well-lit, sharp, and in focus. Ideally, you should have a raw file that preserves the maximum amount of information and dynamic range. You will also need a basic understanding of how to use tools like the healing brush, the clone stamp, and the liquify filter.

2 How to create the layers

The first step is to create the low-frequency and high-frequency layers from your original image. To do this, duplicate your background layer twice and rename them as "Low Frequency" and "High Frequency". Then, apply a Gaussian blur filter to the low-frequency layer with a radius that blurs out the details but keeps the colors and tones. Next, select the high-frequency layer and change its blending mode to Linear Light. Then, go to Image > Apply Image and choose the low-frequency layer as the source, with Subtract as the blending mode, 2 as the scale, and 128 as the offset. This will create a gray layer that contains the high-frequency information.

4 How to enhance the details

The final step is to enhance the details on the high-frequency layer. To do this, select the high-frequency layer and use the liquify filter to adjust the shape and size of the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, or jawline. You can also use the dodge and burn tools with a low opacity and a soft brush to add highlights and shadows to the eyes, lips, or hair. Be careful not to distort or over-sharpen the details and make them look unnatural.

5 How to fine-tune the effect

Once you are happy with the results, you can fine-tune the effect by adjusting the opacity of the high-frequency layer. You can also create a layer mask and use a black brush to hide or reveal the effect on certain areas of the image. For example, you can mask out the effect on the background or the clothing to keep them sharp and textured. You can also create a new layer on top of the frequency separation layers and use the sharpen filter or the high pass filter to add some global contrast and clarity to the image.

6 How to save and export the image

The last step is to save and export the image. To save the image with the frequency separation layers intact, you can use the PSD or TIFF format. This will allow you to revisit and modify the layers later if needed. To export the image for web or print, you can flatten the image and use the JPEG or PNG format. You can also resize and optimize the image according to your intended use and destination.