Hi guys! I've been hording a secret about processing and now I want to share it with you all.

Its all about the eyes.

Start with an average okay looking image with good focus on the eyes. Note: if the eyes aren't in focus this process will help a little, but not much.

Focus is vital.

These are my eyes, shot with a 50mm F1.4 lens and good light:



First, using a clone tool, I want to remove the extra catchlights so that only one dominates:



Next, if you want to adjust/improve the color of the eyes, use this method:

1. create dupe layer and change blending mode to Color
2. choose the lovely eye color you wish to have via paintbrush/pallet
3. paint over the iris with your new color choice
4. flatten layer

This process only changes the color portions of the eye and doesn't affect white or black - so your details & highlights are unchanged.



Now, here is the REAL secret: Using a burn tool at a fairly low exposure (less than 20%), burn along the line that separates the iris from the white of the eye. Not too much or it will look fake. Notice I did not touch the color of the iris in Image 4, I only burned the outline of the iris. It makes a great deal of difference and really makes the color stand out:



Finally (mostly for children and men who do not wear make-up, but needed on some women's portraits too), using the same burn tool, LIGHTLY outline the top and bottom eyelids right along the lash line (like eyeliner). Again, not too much or it will look bad, you only want to make the lashes look a bit darker/fuller.



And there ya go - pimped out eyes that don't look fake! :)

Please let me know if you try this method; if you like this method and post your results.

Cindi