Skin tone = setting it up right

Hello,

I would really appreciate if someone could spare few tricks and tips how to set up different skin tone for skin texture. I`m using some high resolution photos and having some troubles adjusting the levels and the whole skin tone appearance.

What I`m trying to get here is, let`s say. 3 different skin tones - pale, normal and tanned.

So any example or link to some location where this is explained right would be so nice.

Thank you all in advance.

What software are you using?

If using Photoshop, I would try playing with separate Hue/Saturation and Color Balance adjustment layers. Use the individual adjustment (CMYRGB) concentrating on yellow and red, and maybe magenta. Then, layer the color balance over that. This will give you much better control than just a level adjustment. You can layer the level adjustment over everything (without adjusting it) to test your histogram and make sure the highlights and shadows are not blown out.

Yeah, I`m using photoshop. Will try to play with that. Thank you.