Photo editing assistance/guidance

[james_tigerwoods]

I know this has been done a million times, but I'm really struggling with this one.

I've edited three photos and done them all on to canvases and two have come out really well - However, there is one that, when printed, did not work well - the reason being the top left portion of the photo having a dark patch due to the backdrop that I failed to straighten out (for that shoot anyway). Typically this is a photo for the mother-in-law otherwise I'd probably accept it as it is.

This is the photo:



If you look on the top left, you can see what I mean. I can adjust the curves, but that affects the rest of the photo - I've tried in CS6, but I just don't know CS6 well enough to adjust and blend it properly.

I don't mind all the creases really, but that's subjective

Can anyone offer any guidance as to how I can fix this? I can provide the .NEF file if needed.

Thanks

JTW

[james_tigerwoods]

Morbid said:

If I could have the original file I'd be happy to have a crack at this for you.

Thanks - YHM

[james_tigerwoods]

MartinP said:

Looks a smidge underexposed to me. Up the exposure by half a stop and then a quick brush over with the dodge tool (set to highlights, exposure of around 5-7%) and you'll have it sorted in a matter of seconds

Thanks - You lost me after "up the exposure" though

[james_tigerwoods]

Morbid said:

james_tigerwoods said:

Morbid said:

If I could have the original file I'd be happy to have a crack at this for you.

Thanks - YHM

YHM too !

YHM Back!

I know - no need

[james_tigerwoods]

Thanks all for your help and guidance

My mother in law will appreciate the photo... But not the effort that's gone in to it - but I do

[james_tigerwoods]

MysteryLemon said:

Hopefully one of us has sent you something suitable!

Now, about my fee...

I'll shout you a pint - if you're ever in Lincolnshire or I'm in London

[james_tigerwoods]

I do indeed have a few!

And his knees are pale. In fact his skin is incredibly pale - compared to my two anyway...

[james_tigerwoods]

No, that's fine - Thanks both of you for removing that damned temporary tattoo which I only noticed AFTER the bloody photo shoot. The boy in the middle is my nephew and you've both done a good job at giving some colour to his (very pasty) skin

You've done a far better job at editing that I could have - my edits left the backdrop in and I need to learn how to do two things: Smooth it properly and then remove any blemishes as you have.

I've attempted to mask things off before, but my daughter's hair is infuriating in its maddening frizziness....

Thanks again

[james_tigerwoods]

The boy in the middle has a red spot under his eye which is a birthmark, but I would have edited it out anyway (I did try, but I made a hash of it, so I left it in)

As it's for the mother in law, she'll be pleased with that anyway

[james_tigerwoods]

Nah, I wanted rid of it anyway

Thanks again - I need to learn how to do it myself now

[james_tigerwoods]

Morbid said:

I've just noticed there's some grey in the background on the right that I've missed, can you sort that out (clone tool would do the job)? If not I can sort it out tomorrow. It'll be noticeable when printed so needs doing. Sorry! I work with a window behind me and must have missed this in the glare.

Ahhh, I emailed you saying that - I'll have a bash tonight

Just not on my crappy works laptop

[james_tigerwoods]

Thanks again!

[james_tigerwoods]

I always seem to forget just how much I still have to learn...

[james_tigerwoods]

I've had a stab at another photo using some guidance as above and in emails with a very helpful PHer - This was my original final edit:



And the second edit - which still needs work, but it's getting there.

[james_tigerwoods]

The source photo is done but a lesson has been learned.

It's odd though as in PH I can see the dark patches in the bottom corners but in PS, I can't.

I'll have a stab at the forehead and stuff tomorrow

[james_tigerwoods]

GetCarter said:

Buy an iron!

A very, very sore point....

[james_tigerwoods]

Simpo Two said:

Much better but the cheeks and forehead look a bit overdone.

Why not flatten out that awful sheet and see if you can light it directly (ie keep the light off the subject)? Also the original is underexposed - get that better and there'll be less bashing to do.

One question - I only have the one flash (an SB600) which I can use off camera with some basic ebay remote triggers. Would it be more effective to point the flash at the white backdrop?

(Potentially stupid question, I know)

[james_tigerwoods]

Might show that to the girlfriend - she'd be happy

Until she came home and then hits ME in the face with the iron