Lighten background

[Kelly_Mac]

Hi all,

Always get the best advice here so im back to pck your brains once again.

I recently took shots of a baby with really bad lighting. I would like to lighten the background but dont know how to do this without changing the light on the babys face. i have used the dodge tool to a certain extent but anymore an it goes that orange colour. I use photoshop cs4 and lightroom2 so any tips using these would be much appreciated!

Here is an example of one of the images id like to fix

Thanks in advance!

Kelly

 

[photostar_1]

I'd mask off the baby and use levels to lift the background. Lovely expression on the baby's face.

 

[awp]

Background colour looks perfect as it is - to lighten it would detract from the baby I think. In fact I'd add a dark vignette.

 

[Flashman]

i have used the dodge tool to a certain extent but anymore an it goes that orange colour.

Just tried it myself out of curiosity and I could only get any orange colour by dodging highlights. Try dodging midtones and make sure 'protect tones' is ticked.

Having said that, I agree with awp... it's better as it is! I lightened the background with Viveza (best plugin money can buy IMVHO!) and thought your original was better.

 

[Kelly_Mac]

Thanks for all your advice, maybe i will just leave well alone!