okay...so this is my first time posting here, but i found this effect when i was messing around in photoshop, and i think it's cool - so yeah. i use photoshop elements 4.0...i don't know if it's translatable or not. probably not because it uses some effects i've never seen in other graphics programs.



1. Find a picture, but don't crop it yet. i used this picture.

2. Go to Enhance>Adjust Color>Adjust Color for Skintone. Use the eyedropper tool to select the palest skin you can find; it works best that way. click on it. Adjust the settings so you can get the skin looking nice and lush. it also helps the background look lush-ish.
[click]

3. Use the dodge tool on the hair if you'd like.

4. Go to Enhance>Adjust Color>Color Variations. Darken the picture a bit.
[click]

5. Go to Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Shadows/Highlights. MEss around with it; if you're using the same picture i am, set lighten shadows at 30%, darken highlights at 0%, and Midtone Contrast at +40%.
[click]

6. Lastly, crop the image. If you used the same picture as me, it should turn out like this: [click]