Retouching/Photo Illustration

Inspired and awed by Saverio Truglia's amazingly photographed and retouched images of pit bulls in the most recent "Time Out Chicago" Magazine, I opened his image (go to number 7) and placed it side-by-side with my picture of Kona below, trying my best to figure out what was done in post production/Photoshop to Truglia's image.

For one, his lighting is superior, and unmatched in my photo of Kona (below).  For another, the pit bull Nino had been exercising, and was panting. This created the smile that you see so prominently (in #7 on the website link), which I believe was coupled with some warping in Photoshop using the Liquify filter, but subtly enough that the end result looks flawless.  Amazing retouching, guys!

This is by far the furthest I've ever pushed the boundaries of retouching.  I suppose it's more like a photo illustration.  Perhaps somewhere in between.  I'm super eager to learn more about photo illustration: techniques, software used, etc.!

(b4andafter Kona; click to enlarge).