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Could someone explain how to achieve this type of Skin smoothness? My camera is a Sony a6000.

Edit: I am wondering what smoothing and blurring filters or some sort of technique they are using to remove any blemishes on the face. But the skin still looks natural, you can see the pores, and the lighting is still realistic. I find when using various applications to remove skin imperfections it kind of looks more blurred and a lot of detail is lost.

enter image description hereenter image description hereenter image description here

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    \$\begingroup\$ Please read this and elaborate what effect do you mean. Why do you tag the question "focus-stacking"? \$\endgroup\$
    – Zenit
    Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 8:08
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    \$\begingroup\$ Please read Important information for asking "What's this effect?" questions and edit this post accordingly. Make sure to use a descriptive title, too. Thank you! \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 8:20
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    \$\begingroup\$ What's the best way to ask a “How do I achieve this effect?” question? \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 8:22
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    \$\begingroup\$ What photo effect? \$\endgroup\$
    – osullic
    Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 9:12
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    \$\begingroup\$ Maybe they're looking for the catchlight? The second example does not have the same ringlight thing. Maybe they're looking for the plastic skin? Maybe something else? \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 12:47

3 Answers 3

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It looks like you're looking for a circular or ring flash:

circular flash.

A ring flash helps you achieve similar effects (particularly with the circle in the pupil), but the rest is make-up and Photoshopping; smoothing and blurring. I suggest reading this article about creative ways of using ring flashes.

nice circular flash effect

But, as several people mentioned, please do specify more precisely what exactly you mean.

A ring flash also helps you take pretty cool pictures in macro in combination with a diffuser.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Ah, yes, the dentist's favourite photo-accessory. \$\endgroup\$
    – Stan
    Commented Apr 5, 2018 at 20:52
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Stan care to elaborate? \$\endgroup\$
    – bearmohawk
    Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 5:51
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    \$\begingroup\$ Dentists who document cosmetic work photographically often use a ring light. \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 6:50
  • \$\begingroup\$ @MichaelClark didn't know that; you learn something new every day! \$\endgroup\$
    – bearmohawk
    Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 7:19
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    \$\begingroup\$ See, this is why we do the "which aspect do you actually mean" thing before putting in work to answer.... \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Commented Apr 6, 2018 at 16:13
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If you really want to take photos of women that make them look like plastic dolls, you need young women, lots of make-up, and good patience and skill in Photoshop. Use a tiny "brush" when touching up and you won't lose the "detail". Personally, I hate photos that look like the ones you posted. It's such an unnatural look and it leads to unhealthy body image issues for women (and some men). As photographers who are also human beings living in a world we want to make better, we should not be perpetuating the distorted view of "beauty" the cosmetics industry attempts to promote.

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From the photos you used as an example, it does not matter what camera you are using.

The effect is non-photographic; but, is subject "doll-up."

You achieve this "effect" by hiring an experienced, professional make-up artist to work on the model you wish to photograph.

Then, you use "butterfly" or "glamour" lighting which is diffuse and broad. In your first and last examples, a "ring-light" was used as the sole source rather than a "normal" studio set-up. In your second example, the lighting used a hybrid gobo (mask) in the shape of a "+"

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