Editing photo

[dottieg]

I am having trouble editing my color photos that I have scanned from slides (or photos from camera, too). I used to have PSE2 and it was very easy to do an autocorrect. In PSE3, the autocorrect doesn't work very well - for me. And, after I have corrected it, how do I save it? Help- I just can't seem to get the hang of this program.

[MikeH]

hi dottieg,

Sorry that no-one picked this up...

Which auto correct are you using..? If it's the Auto Fix Window in Organizer then the changes are saved to a new file when you click "OK" at the bottom. It saves the changes to a new file.

The results you are getting may not be down to you... Auto adjustments aren't always the best way to fix a photo. If you post the photo at www.pixentral.com we'll happily help you with which option in PSE3 to use.

Mike

[dottieg]

I am not sure if I did this right, i.e. posting to pixentral. Here is the site address where I think photo is.

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1lK5nAKncDC9ttpHN9Q1RmU4TwB7sD0

Actually, the photo doesn't look too bad there but looks very dark to me in Organizer. Anway, I tried both Organizer, Edit, Autofix, Autosmart fix and Quick fix and all auto adjustments, i.e. smart fix, lighting, contrast, tec. The photo became very light and not usable that way at all. Thanks.

[willpresley]

Try using the Shadow/Highlight tool on it -- you can slide the adjustment for shadow to an acceptable point. Then adjust highlights as needed to bring them in line.

It is located under Enhance - Adjust Lighting - Shadow Highlight.

Note that the S/H adjustment lightens shadow by 50% which can then be adjusted.

Setting 35% Shadow -- 33 highlights and +34 midtone contrast.

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1caKNuDduwn7CwpxrHsjruL9Wu1

[dottieg]

Thanks. I will try your suggestions. Thanks for your help.

[MikeH]

Yes, Shadows / Highlights will work well on this photo. We had another post asking about the difference between Shadows / Highlights and Levels - this image is a good example of where you'd use Shadows / Highlights over Levels.

Mike