..... so i know for next time

[Jenny105]

Quick snaps of 'grandaughter gems' always come with bright sun, deep shadow, facing the wrong way etc so .....

Can some one show, and state, some simple steps with Element , preferred, or CS2 to improve the skin or over exposed face.

The clothing is probably past redemption but i have managed to diguise the chair legs which are omni present !!

[ozonepirate]

i'll have a look and let you know

[ozonepirate]

ok i took the image copied the layer twice (ctrl J) then on the to layer i added a gausian blur then added a layer mask, then with a black brush erased the layer mask around the face. I then added a slight surface blur onto all the layers. It's very difficult to bring back blown highlights so i cloned some other areas at a low opacity to help disguise the blown areas. This is just my take on the image and not a critique or your picture, its a lovely composition.

[ozonepirate]

I hope you didn't mind me altering your image....it also looks great in black and white!

[Jenny105]

Ozone pirate.
Interesting take. I like it. I need to work on layer ideas as admittedly only one layer was used this time ...... not good practice . I will copy your steps to learn and find a layers tutorial. Did you use CS2 or Elements please?
My only comment was i enjoyed keeping hat clear , but i guess it is the face that needs to be clear and bold

Ive heard of layer mask but not used one yet . Presumably its found in the layers palette.
The other helpful tip was using the facial layer. With the babe's quiff of hair this might work on other images.
I'd love to see the black and white image.

The Mum and Dad are happy for me to use my images here but ask that folk to erase them from their machines when finished with. Its a sad world in some ways isnt it.
Great to hear from you

[Bandit]

Hi Jenny,

This type of hi contrast light is hard work. You need to meter off the hi-light part of the face ( the brightest part) to prevent blown hi-lights and use fill in flash to balance the rest of the image or perhaps a white reflector to fill in the shadows.

[David Worthington]

easiest you move or shield the subject before taking the shot......might take time / be tricky....but not as time consuming as pp !!!

[ozonepirate]

layer mask in at the bottom of your layers pallete it looks like a box with a circle inside it. with layer masks white conceals and black reveals. the best practice is 1st copy the layer (ctrl J) then apply a strong gausian blur to the new layer, then click on the layer mask button. now pick a black paint brush and you will see the top layer disapearing. if you make a mistake swap to white to put it back.
I did actually think about revealing more of the hat, but the child was so cute i felt he needed centre stage! I use CS3 but CS2 does the same!