How would I get rid of

[BrendaC]

a little highlights in the face? I tried using the burn tool but didn't turn out very well. I don't think it needs a lot of fixing. Thanks Brenda

[Carbone]

Without seeing the image, it's hard to tell, but sometimes, a little clone tool, in colour darken mode or in colour mode will get of the problem. You might experiment with a lower opacity to begin.

Ray

[BrendaC]

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1JyOJVQfDbqYgAlkjqewSm0iky1LE0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1JyOJVQfDbqYgAlkjqewSm0iky1LE0)

This is one of the pictures I was talking about. I'm not very good at using all the tools yet. Thanks

[ME100FINN]

Brenda, what a nice photo!! Create a new blank layer and then select the Clone tool as Ray said. Make sure the option at the top of the screen says "Sample all layers" is selected and at 100%. Hold the Alt key to pick an area that is darker and close to the highlight. Then click over the highlight areas. Dont be too worried about it being perfect yet... you can change the layer opacity to get it just right.

Note - dont make the side of the face too much darker - it will look odd because the light source is coming from that side on his whole body. It would look weird ;) This clone technique works really well on spots that would be from oily skin or flash spots.

[Medic1210]

The tecnhique I use when I'm going to be doing some burning or dodging is as follows. It gives you much more flexibility than using the dodge/burn tool as you are basically making an adjustment layer and the amount of dodge or burn is based on the shade of gray you use when dodging or burning. Anyway, this is the process....

First you want to create two blank layers above your image. Label one Dodge and the other Burn. Set the blend mode of the dodge layer to Color Dodge. Set the blend mode of the Burn layer to... You guessed it... Color Burn. Now, you need to select the dodge layer and flood fill it Black. Select the Burn layer and flood fill it with white. Now, when you want to burn part of an image, just select the burn layer and set your brush to a soft edge brush large enough to cover a good portion of what you want to burn. For the color, you want to use a shade of gray that is pretty dark. Start with almost black and if that doesn't burn the spot enough, you can lighten the brush color to a lighter gray. It only takes a small amount of change from black to see a good difference. If you go too light with the gray brush, you will burn the image way too much. If this happens though, no worries, as you are on an adjustment layer. Just select a darker shade of gray (or black) and paint over the mistake. Same goes for the dodge layer, but for it you will be using only the lightest color of gray. Basically, if your adjustment layer is filled with white, your shade of gray needs to be very light. If your adjustment layer is filled black, you will be using a very dark shade of gray. It takes some practice to get it right, but this is the best way to dodge or burn your photos. Have fun.

It should be noted that for very bright highlights, burning may not give the best results. Still, this is a technique you can use when you do want to burn/dodge an image.

[Daviskw]

Hi Brenda

You will find there is always more than one way to accomplish a task in Elements.

If you have trouble with the clone tool or the paint with light technique above, here is another way.

Open a blank layer at the top of your pallet.

In the layer option menu where it says normal...click the drop box and change the mode to Linear Brun

Now select a small soft brush

Hold the Alt key and click an area of the face with good color and brightness... I clicked the picture left cheek.

Lower the brush opacity to around 20 Percent in the brush option menu

Now paint over the too bright areas... you may need to make more than one stroke and build the color up.

When you get it close you can even the color by Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur... and watch your painted area as you blur... it will blend in.

Now if you need to lower the opacity of the layer.

This technique will work as long as there is some color to work with.

If you want to brighten the shadows in general then use Shadow/highlights.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1sQ9yG1gxu97ylrl8AT7wtmjTdnD_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1sQ9yG1gxu97ylrl8AT7wtmjTdnD)

Butch

[Rusty]

Brenda,

And even another road to the same destination. :)

For something like this I usually first try the reverse of Dave Cross' video "Painting with Light"

Adjustment Layer (Bright/Contrast) above background , drop brightness until the right side of the face looks OK, then use paint bucket to fill that layer w/Black.

Then use paint brush w/White paint, opacity down around 50 to 60%, and paint in the right side of the face.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1G2VbCvUMqR6gp04t3NxOrUSnVYkkh1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1G2VbCvUMqR6gp04t3NxOrUSnVYkkh1)

I probably should have a bit of painting around both hands, wrists and the point of the knee as well.

Rusty

PS - when I first saw this post I thought it said, "How would I get rid of Brenda C", and couldn't imagine why anyone wanted to do that

[BrendaC]

Thanks guys! I will be trying each technique (when time allows). I had time to try Butch's this morning and it looked better, not as good as his, but better. I think I need to become a little more detail oriented.

Funny Rusty! I'm sure my husband feels that way sometimes:D .

Anyway thanks again

P.S. I have another little problem I posted.

[Cmcburnett]

Wow, you guys are full of great advice. Thanks, I'm sure I can use on many of my photos.;)