The Tribune

THE ART OF GRAPHIX

By DEIDRE M. BASTIAN

OKAY ladies, let's speak the truth and confess without blinking... Have you ever asked your photographer to have the graphic artist whiten your teeth, just a little bit more, while they are also softening your facial lines?

This request is a common one, as the demand for whitening teeth in photos is prevalent among meticulous clients, not to mention a few advertising dental agencies, who are finicky about the appearance of their teeth or advertisement messages. Ultimately, if you are a photographer you will want your clients to be happy with their photos. And if you are a Graphic artist, you will not feel satisfied when importing a photo into an advertisement layout if the model has noticeably discoloured teeth.

So here's the deal: How important are white teeth to your appearance? Teeth are everything, and can build one's self-confidence or can determine whether a person is likely/willing to smile. If this is so, then photographers would wish their models to look appealing and glamorous, even if it meant undergoing a quick "tooth touch-up" to improve an overall smile.

A survey by the Dental Association noted that a person's smile is the most important bodily feature, outranking eyes, hair and body. As a result, the teeth whitening procedure has become the most requested cosmetic dental procedure. One dentist said: "Oh yes, people have become obsessed. I have people who come in, even though their teeth are as white as a window pane, but they still insist on having them much whiter."

Cosmetic dentistry has seemingly become a God-send, but thankfully a brilliant smile can be captured via a photo for a lifetime with a pretty neat technique process using Photoshop.

Clearly, skillful Graphic Artists can improve every smile by applying a little digital tooth whitening technique. Here's how: Once you have opened Photoshop, duplicate the layer you are working on by pressing CTRL+J on the keyboard (command + J on a Mac). This way, if something terrible occurs, you will have a duplicated copy. Zoom into the mouth, preferably at 100 per cent. This can be done by pressing CTRL+ALT+0 (or command + option + 0 on a Mac).

Use the lasso tool (third tool down on the default tools bar) and simply select (draw) around the teeth, but try to be as accurate as possible. Another way to quickly access the lasso tool is by pressing L on the keyboard. You need not select each individual tooth, just the teeth area.

When you are completed, connect the start and end points to make your selection. You know you would have made a selection when dotted lines (marching ants) circle the selection that you have made. Browse up at the top and select Image > Adjustment > Hue & Saturation on the second pull down menu (where it says master); select the Yellow channel.

Slide the Saturation slider all the way to the left, which will turn off the colour 'yellow' within your selection, and bring out a whiter smile. If you are satisfied at this point with your teeth, then you are finished.

Thereafter, if you want an even greater shine and brighter whites, you will need to use the dodge tool. Press O on the keyboard (or select the 14th tool down on the tools list). Up at the top, for the options for the tool, choose an appropriate brush size (something smaller than a single tooth) and set the range to 'midtones' and the exposure to '7 per cent'. Make sure the box labelled 'protect tones' is checked. A higher exposure will brighten teeth quicker, but the idea is to make subtle touch ups.

Next, paint over the teeth in back and forth motions (brushing). You may not notice it, but the teeth are getting whiter. To see the 'before' and 'after' differences, go back a few steps in your history before using the dodge tool. Again, do not over whiten the teeth, but ensure that your retouching is as subtle and natural looking as possible. When you are satisfied that you have the pearly teeth you want, click OK to exit the dialog box. Shinier, huh? Don't you just love having a brighter smile?

Remember that your teeth are not 100 per cent white, and they are not supposed to be, as they may portray a synthetic look. Teeth have a wet appearance with an ivory-enamelled finish. Thus I would suggest that while brightening the teeth area, brighten the eyes as well, as it will look abnormal to have bright, white teeth with dark whites of the eyes.

Fortunately, red eyes, discoloured teeth, blemishes, pimples and all of the unnecessary photo flaws will not have to haunt our precious photos any longer, as the invincible Photoshop can impressively transform any devastating plagues. We only need to know how. So until we meet again, fill your life with memories as opposed to regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee2111@hotmail.com

About the Columnist: Ms Bastian is an extensively-trained graphic designer, who has qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at many institutions such as Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.