The Photochop practice and advice thread

[markem]

I've been thinking about another photochop contest. However, after my last one, many people complained that there is a certain group that is well above the norm and "always wins" (I don't think that part is necessarily true).

So it seems to me that people need a place where they can post their chops, ask questions, and get advice on how to make them better. I think that this is a thread that, if successful, will become quite the learning tool here at CA.

I have no photochop skills, so I probably won't participate for a while, but I am interested in how people do such a good job at matching skin tone.

So post some chops, share some tips and tricks and let's get ready for when the next contest shows up.