Cleaning Levels and Clean

[HScavenger]

What do you guys think about 16-245? Example:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/483525573667323904/530581669368037406/Z1.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/483525573667323904/530581984951664640/Z1_copy.jpg

Also, is this "pink" color in his face normal? should I erase it?
Clean 1

Spoiler

Clean 2

Spoiler

Raw

Spoiler

Its even in the bubbles, can you guys see it?
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/414215244836241420/530827860362002433/unknown.png

 

[Gradonil_Ral]

What do you guys think about 16-245? Example:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/483525573667323904/530581669368037406/Z1.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/483525573667323904/530581984951664640/Z1_copy.jpg

Also, is this "pink" color in his face normal? should I erase it?
Clean 1

Spoiler

Clean 2

Spoiler

Raw

Spoiler

Its even in the bubbles, can you guys see it?
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/414215244836241420/530827860362002433/unknown.png

Z1_copy is better - the first one is underleveled.

Clean 2 also looks better. The "pink" is blurred out dirt.

when you're using topaz denoise and/or topaz clean, you have to level a bit afterwards. Denoise/Clean blur out the dirt/noise, they don't remove it. That means it's still on the page, only across a bigger area, without contrasting edges.

Also, after denoising you might want to switch to Grayscale mode. Especially if you're using dodge/burn for leftover dirt. It's also easier to level out the blurry leftovers.

You can also use adjustment layers to easily see all leftover dirt/noise. Here's an old video I made that shows their use:

 

[HScavenger]

Z1_copy is better - the first one is underleveled.

Clean 2 also looks better. The "pink" is blurred out dirt.


Also, after denoising you might want to switch to Grayscale mode. Especially if you're using dodge/burn for leftover dirt. It's also easier to level out the blurry leftovers.

You can also use adjustment layers to easily see all leftover dirt/noise. Here's an old video I made that shows their use:

Hey man, thanks. but doesn't the colors became a little weird in the leveled one?
http://prntscr.com/m552d0
http://prntscr.com/m552jq

 

[Gradonil_Ral]

Hey man, thanks. but doesn't the colors became a little weird in the leveled one?
http://prntscr.com/m552d0
http://prntscr.com/m552jq

Yes. Sorry about that - I focused on darker colors.

1. Take the raw
2. Run Topaz Denoise 5, use [0.5] for "Overall Strength", the rest default.
3. Level with [6] [1] [252].
Should be much better.

Though, if you're planning on saving as jpg with reduced quality (smaller file size), then you might just as well not denoise/level at all. Anything less than 100% (save as web) or 12 quality (save as), and you're gonna get some artificial dirt back (jpg artifact).
Actually, scratch that - you'll get some artifact either way. Only png-24 won't get any, but the size will be much bigger.

So, like I said - if you're concerned about the file sizes, you can just skip it.