Should I make a thread on faking tips?

Okay the Yays have it! I'll be posting faking tips in a thread.

Okay let’s get started! I recommend saving this thread in your bookmarks if you’re interested in following along!

So firstly, you need a program for faking. I use the latest version of Adobe Photoshop CC 2020. The versatility it offers you is incomparable to other programs & honestly it is SO rewarding learning Photoshop! I use it for digital art, editing photos, making fakes & comics etc.

I recommend watching PiXimperfect and PHLearn on Youtube to learn basic techniques and acquaint yourself with Photoshop. Their tutorials are SO GOOD and range from basic to very advanced techniques.
https://www.youtube.com/c/PiXimperfect 
https://www.youtube.com/user/PhlearnLLC 

In this instance, focus on their tutorials on cropping, masking, color matching, skin re-texturing, image compositing and so on.

Learn common shortcuts that help you save time for example (Ctrl + J) to create a duplicate layer, (Ctrl + Shift + N) for a new Layer etc.

Label your layers, group them, staying super organized helps you a ton you later on.

Back everything up! I’ve had instances of hours of work being lost because I didn’t save a copy.

Learn all about Masking, it is indispensable while faking!

Using the lasso, quick selection & pen tools is also key.

Understand the concept of working non-destructively & forget about the eraser tool! Make sure everything you’re doing is REVERSIBLE!

You don’t want to directly alter ur image without preserving the original.

You can do this by converting your layer to a Smart Object to allow you to edit the filters applied. Also copy ur layers as u go (Ctrl+J) & use clipping masks. Never merge layers without a backup!

Understand the different Blending modes, especially important ones you’ll be using frequently such as Overlay, Soft Light, Multiply, Screen, Color etc.

These will go a long way!

Here's a tutorial if you want to get technical & thorough:

Goes without saying, work with Hi-res images where ever you can!

You can enlarge the image by going to Image > Image Size and playing around with the Dimensions & changing Canvas size depending on how large of an image you want.

Once you have these basics down you are good to go!

Now to the actual faking part!

You require a good headshot & a base image to work with.

Finding the right combination of a face & body that works can be frustrating but is key.

Your goal is to find 2 images that naturally fit as seamlessly as possible, like this one I made that ended up everywhere lol:

For good headshots you can do one of 3:

1. Simply use Google Images, Go to Tools > Large to look for larger images and refine your search accordingly.

2. Most Celebrities have fansites or Listal with Hi-res images, which you can go through.

3. A neat trick I do is take screenshots from Hi-res 1080p videos/movies cuz then u can catch sex faces (closed eyes, mouth open) & get multiple shots from which to choose.

This works much better than plastered smiles & non candid photo-shoots imo depending on what ur going for.

This can be fun to do & provides you with a myriad of options, saving you the hassle of browsing through the internet hunting for images.

And well you get the idea:

Once you’ve chosen a face, your next challenge is cropping it from the background.

Some people simply use a lasso or pen tool or mask out using a brush.

You can use whatever method you’re comfortable with.

But the latest versions of Photoshop gives you a far better option.

Adobe’s intuitive AI Adobe Sensei can do most of the work for you by using the “Select Subject” option by using a Magic wand or Quick Selection Tool.

The latest version can even crop complicated hair fairly accurately. After u have a selection, press Shift + Create Mask & voila!

You got a good selection just with one simple click!

You can always refine your mask using (Select and mask) or Alt clicking the mask.

Use an Overlay white/black brush to alter fuzzy bits to your content.

Everything you do is completely reversible & non-destructive!

Hair can be sensitive & tricky at first depending on the kind of background ur cropping.

You can paint ur own hair, using custom brushes, the smudge tool or whatever floats your boat.

I prefer to paint in my own hair at the edges like so:

Similarly you can refine the eyes to make them pop:

Onto the body pics

U can look for base porn images all over the internet, won’t be posting porn links

Just make sure the body types match.

Finding free hi-res porn can be hard, again u can use screenshots too.

I'd mass produce fakes if I had good bases archived.

Maybe I should outsource the porn finding bit because honestly it drives me insane.. But I digress

Select the body image similarly by using “Select Subject” taking note of the edges (unless u want to keep the background).

Other tools exist like the background eraser BUT remember NO erasing! We don't do that here !

U can always refine the sharpness/feathering of the edges.

While placing your headshot, make sure the size of the heads match especially keeping an eye on the neck of the base image and the rotation.

Zoom out to see if it works realistically & alter as needed.

When ur happy, using a soft brush, mask out bits you want out.

Keep the lighting source of both images in mind when aligning them!

A pet peeve of mine is seeing faces flipped horizontally because it looks very jarring & you can tell!

Why not simply flip the base image instead to match with the face?!

Like duh I can tell Tom's wolf side, his wonky eyebrow is not on that side, nor is the parting of the hair accurate.

Now we move onto the fun bits! The refinements

This involves matching the contrast, lighting, color & texture of both images.

For this use layer Adjustments clipped onto your layer (or as Smart Objects) as you can modify these at any point.

NEVER alter your image directly!

Play around with these adjustments, it’s all trial and error, see what works best until ur satisfied. U can always come back & make alterations at any point.

Mess with the sliders, the opacity, & blending modes of each adjustment layer.

Set the Blending mode to Luminosity when altering the Brightness/Contrast without messing the color e.g it becomes too yellow if u raise the brightness

Use Color Mode when changing the color with Hue/Saturation, Selective Color or Color Balance to avoid messing the brightness.

U can also use multiple Curve adjustment layers to great effect if ur comfortable using them.

Just make sure the highlights, midtones and shadows match.

To add shadows, use a soft brush & color them in with the mode set to multiply.

Use screen or soft light for adding highlights.

Or use adjustment layers with masks!

I’d avoid using Dodge or Burn as they are destructive.

Double click the layer to open properties. Use “Blend If” to limit the effect to lights or shadows. Press Alt to break the slider for smoothness.

This is a clever way to do both:

Adding texture comes next.

1 method is creating a new layer on top going to Edit > Fill > 50% gray with the mode set to Soft Light.

Convert this layer into a smart object then go to Filter Add Noise & play around to get what you need.

You can do this on top of layers individually to add varying textures or at the very end of making your fake.

These two tutorials are amazing for re-texturing skin, adding and removing tattoos.





And if u wanna be super advanced, I'd look into Frequency Separation & High End face sculpting.

Anyway let's leave it here for now!

More to come!!

We'll delve into Backgrounds, Lighting & overall Effects, Cum & your new best friend Camera Raw Filter next time!

Hope you enjoyed!