Help with an image from any Photoshop Gurus

Sir SR

Sir SR

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Shaheed
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Hi there

I took a shot of my daughter which i really liked, but my other daughter had moved one of the lights (on a wheeled stand) and this has resulted in a shadow across he face which i want to remove.

Be grateful for any of your expert advice/help.
I'm no whizz with PS but am trying to get better!

And yes - I know - get it right in camera first (I am kicking myself for not checking - even if my youngest monkey was distracting me!!)

I'll try to get a drop box link up soon!

Thanking you wise people kindly!

Shaheed
 
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I'll take a look. Maybe put the image up on the thread for us to have a look at it.
 
Thank you so much. It's on my list if things to so this year (1. Win lotto 2. Get better at photoshop!)

Will do. The tiff d800 file is quite large, so I'll upload one to Flickr in a bit whilst the tiff file is uploading to my drop box!

It's really annoying as I can see so clearly what's gone wrong to annoy me on the computer screen - just wished I'd noticed it at the time as it is such an easy fix with the lights!!

Lesson learned anyway.

S
 
I didn't know if it was possible to sort the shadow by her right side of face by the hairline/cheek - a bit beyond me!!

S
 
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A bit OT but might be worth considering shooting tethered to a laptop if possible when shooting in your mini-studio. Instant(ish) feedback which means it is quick to spot issues or good shots, shooting into LR also means you can apply presets on the incoming images.
 
Sharky said:
A bit OT but might be worth considering shooting tethered to a laptop if possible when shooting in your mini-studio. Instant(ish) feedback which means it is quick to spot issues or good shots, shooting into LR also means you can apply presets on the incoming images.
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This is exactly what I looked into after seeing this shot - some kind of ipad connector would be ideal!

I only have an iMac/ipad - just to be able to see the pics on a bigger screen would be better (although its taught me to be more vigilant after this pic!!)

S
 
Sir SR said:
This is exactly what I looked into after seeing this shot - some kind of ipad connector would be ideal!

I only have an iMac/ipad - just to be able to see the pics on a bigger screen would be better (although its taught me to be more vigilant after this pic!!)

S
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Sounds good, depending on your camera body and if you have a TV / monitor in the room something as simple as HDMI out from the camera direct into a display could be an option.
 
Ah. There is a budget 21 inch tv in the bedroom - not sure if it has an hdmi cable though.

I'll check what options there are on the d800!
 
I shoot tethered onto a 15" MacBook, via Lightroom and in most cases that image is big enough, if you have the lap top near the camera. Canon's DPP will also let you shoot tethered but I'm not sure if the Nikon software will. Bear in mind that you have a cable between you and the lap top, it's a serious trip hazard for you, the lap top and the camera. Also look at having a strain relief on the cable at the camera end to stop excessive pressure on the camera connectors. I have one camera that has an iffy usb connection due to this. As the connector is on the main board it's an expensive problem. If you have the funds look at the Camranger. Wireless tethering option for most cameras. Works with iOS and Android as well as Mac and PC
 
I'm assuming you mean the shadow of hair across her right cheek (left as you view it)
 
twhite87 said:
I'm assuming you mean the shadow of hair across her right cheek (left as you view it)
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Yup! And the harsh shadow on the forehead under the strands of hair (face right/camera left!)

I'm a LR user who has only recently discovered photoshop (the only ps book I have is ps for LR users!)

Thanks again

S
 
Personally i don't think the image needs any retouching...

Just take a step back for a moment. We as photographers, gear heads and geeks often obsess about 1:1 pixels and getting something perfect, and when is isn't perfect in camera sort in PS / LR. I'll say this, there is nothing what so ever wrong with your image, your daughter is beautiful, the shot is nicely composed and well executed. Do the shadows harm, detract or spoil the image, no. Not in the slightest.

It's a lovely image, well taken and well posed. File it as such :)

You're seeing the trees when you should be checking out the splendour of the woods!
 
Sharky said:
Personally i don't think the image needs any retouching...

Just take a step back for a moment. We as photographers, gear heads and geeks often obsess about 1:1 pixels and getting something perfect, and when is isn't perfect in camera sort in PS / LR. I'll say this, there is nothing what so ever wrong with your image, your daughter is beautiful, the shot is nicely composed and well executed. Do the shadows harm, detract or spoil the image, no. Not in the slightest.

It's a lovely image, well taken and well posed. File it as such :)

You're seeing the trees when you should be checking out the splendour of the woods!
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Of course, I like the image. In my head though that shadow ruins it for me because I didn't intend for it to be there!
 
Here you go, 10 seconds in photoshop, I just painted white on a new layer set to overlay and altered the opacity (A better way of burning/dodging) not a great job but I'm off out the door now.
 
swanseamale47 said:
Here you go, 10 seconds in photoshop, I just painted white on a new layer set to overlay and altered the opacity (A better way of burning/dodging) not a great job but I'm off out the door now.
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Thanks for your edit - I was hoping to remove the hair shadow. Had a quick play, but didn't turn out very well and am not so great with the hair!

All advice gratefully received!

TP edit 2 by Sir SR, on Flickr

Thanks

Shaheed
 
Sir SR said:
Thanks for your edit - I was hoping to remove the hair shadow. Had a quick play, but didn't turn out very well and am not so great with the hair!

All advice gratefully received!

TP edit 2 by Sir SR, on Flickr

Thanks

Shaheed
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Dohhh!!!! I really should have read your post properly.
 
swanseamale47 said:
Dohhh!!!! I really should have read your post properly.
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Have to say when you said you said you'd finished it in ten seconds I was amazed!!

I'm still fumbling round in photoshop, learning as I go.

I've had a go at fixing it but I think if could be done better/improved.

Any wise ideas as to how?

Thanks

S
 
Life's too short, Shaheed. You could struggle for hours for an imperfect result. Bin it and take another. Many others.
 
droj said:
Life's too short, Shaheed. You could struggle for hours for an imperfect result. Bin it and take another. Many others.
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Of course, in many ways you're right.

And I will take many more shots.

This thread is partly due to my frustration at a school boy error and largely an exercise in getting better at photoshop.

S
 
Given that you have a free captive model I'd re-shoot if it really bothers you.
If you're dead set on editing I'd work on the colour image- the difference between the colour of her hair and her skin tone should make the shadow easier to separate out. I'd be inclined to leave the shadow above her eye- it's much less striking than the 'chinstrap' shadow.
 
Coyon said:
Given that you have a free captive model I'd re-shoot if it really bothers you.
If you're dead set on editing I'd work on the colour image- the difference between the colour of her hair and her skin tone should make the shadow easier to separate out. I'd be inclined to leave the shadow above her eye- it's much less striking than the 'chinstrap' shadow.
Click to expand...

There'll be the chance to reshoot for sure!

As I previously mentioned part of this exercise is getting better at PS.

Good tip about editing the colour version!

Thank-you!

S
 
Sir SR said:
Of course, in many ways you're right.

And I will take many more shots.

This thread is partly due to my frustration at a school boy error and largely an exercise in getting better at photoshop.

S
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I understood that, but the process with this image is not going to be time-effective, if ultimately effective at all. You might hone yr PS skills better by choosing a more realisable starting point!
 
droj said:
I understood that, but the process with this image is not going to be time-effective, if ultimately effective at all. You might hone yr PS skills better by choosing a more realisable starting point!
Click to expand...

I've always liked a challenge

Also there will be several processes involved!
 
Dodge tool my friend. With different flow and opacity. This way you still get your tonal range. Painting over with white and reducing opacity will have minor effect if only done on 1 layer. You might need to Patch or Clone certain areas as well.
 
Vince1551 said:
Dodge tool my friend. With different flow and opacity. This way you still get your tonal range. Painting over with white and reducing opacity will have minor effect if only done on 1 layer. You might need to Patch or Clone certain areas as well.
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Thanks - I suspect as said earlier this will be a fruitless labour but I may well learn a few things along the way!
 
I'd use the patch tool, on a layer reduce the opacity till it's closer to the softer shadow.

The patch tool is what I use for bags under the eyes (well it's what I would use if all my subjects weren't already perfect)
 
Phil V said:
I'd use the patch tool, on a layer reduce the opacity till it's closer to the softer shadow.

The patch tool is what I use for bags under the eyes (well it's what I would use if all my subjects weren't already perfect)
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Thanks Phil.

Will give this a go later!

S
 
Phil V said:
I'd use the patch tool, on a layer reduce the opacity till it's closer to the softer shadow.

The patch tool is what I use for bags under the eyes (well it's what I would use if all my subjects weren't already perfect)
Click to expand...

I think I've learned a bit more about the various tools in photoshop during this process but for me the biggest thing I've learned is to just check more carefully when shooting - a quick two second fix whilst shooting saves several hours for an imperfect result!

Quick play tonight.......no more!!

Sophia, nearly binned by Sir SR, on Flickr

Thanks for all the wise words!

Shaheed
 
Hope you don't mind but I had a quick tinker with this - mostly involved using the hair to rebuild where the shadows fell rather than having to remove them. Very simple duplicating hair sections that fit with the curve of where her hair fell (could do with some more refinement so as sections don't look copied but gives an idea of another direction given more time spent on the image - side of face also needs some shadow bringing back in so as it looks more natural)

Totally agree on the "get it right in camera" mentality but I do love playing in photoshop - have been doing some rather difficult retouching projects at the moment so this was a nice change of pace :) Lovely model & shot btw, very sharp & very nicely done.

 
moomike said:
Hope you don't mind but I had a quick tinker with this - mostly involved using the hair to rebuild where the shadows fell rather than having to remove them. Very simple duplicating hair sections that fit with the curve of where her hair fell (could do with some more refinement so as sections don't look copied but gives an idea of another direction given more time spent on the image - side of face also needs some shadow bringing back in so as it looks more natural)

Totally agree on the "get it right in camera" mentality but I do love playing in photoshop - have been doing some rather difficult retouching projects at the moment so this was a nice change of pace :) Lovely model & shot btw, very sharp & very nicely done.

Click to expand...

Hi. Good work - I quickly discovered that covering the shadow with the hair was the way to go, just my skills are not quite there yet!!

I think I knew it wasn't right but wanted the excuse to get a bit better a photoshop. I think I definitely learned some new techniques but still a way to go.

Really like what you've done!

Thank you

Shaheed
 
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