Please help with this photo...

[uniqcrafts]

The lady in the picture doesn't seem to have a face. Not exactly sure how to give her a face and still have make the picture look natural. Also looking for advice to help out with any details of this picture. Noise reduction, blue cast... other than the basic is all I know. Please point me in a direction. I have PSE5.0

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/uniqcrafts/NeilsConfirmation1.jpg

[smiles]

Michelle, I made a quick attemtpt. I think I sharpened a bit to much.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1il0jTlTiTf89tVbCi7gvJ20XaPidn0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1il0jTlTiTf89tVbCi7gvJ20XaPidn0)

[Juergen D]

Michelle,
I opened the image in ACR 4.1 and adjusted the exposure and the contrast. Next, in Editor, I duplicated the background layer and set the new layer to Linear Burn at 30% opacity. Then, using Hue/Sat, the blue in the shirt was toned down and some more contrast added. Last, the result was run through NeatImage. The background came out a little dark, it probably should be lightened some.

Juergen

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1tV20l5phpvlk0bCpF7NLVtRr6cX_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1tV20l5phpvlk0bCpF7NLVtRr6cX)

[uniqcrafts]

Smiles: Did all you do is sharpen? I like how she finally has some detail to her face.

Juergen: Are all those things you did different types of programs or are those things on PSE 5.0? Sounds like different programs. Great picture... but any suggestions in PSE 5.0 as I guess all the pictures taken are like this one so it won't be just one I have to fix.

Any suggestions?

[smiles]

Michelle, No I worked on it for a while using different techinques and blending modes. Also worked with the shadows and highlights. I then sharpened.

[uniqcrafts]

What are some things you tried? Thank you very much for helping.

[Juergen D]

Michelle,
I used PSE5, which includes Adobe Camera Raw, updated to version 4.1 (newest is 4.2). All work was done in PSE, except for the final noise reduction, for which I used NeatImage (demo). Some noise reduction could have done with a filter in Elements instead.

Juergen

[smiles]

I selected her face adjusted the shadows and highlights. I then copied it to it's own layer, then changed the blending mode to multiply lowered the opacity for a smoother look. I then merged down and done the same thing again with her face. When I got some definition in her face, I then worked on color adjustment.

[smiles]

Michelle,
I used PSE5, which includes Adobe Camera Raw, updated to version 4.1 (newest is 4.2). All work was done in PSE, except for the final noise reduction, for which I used NeatImage (demo). Some noise reduction could have done with a filter in Elements instead.

Juergen

Juergen, could you point me in the right direction to this update? I am using PSE 5. It looks like it would be a great add on for restoration. Thanks for any help!

[Juergen D]

Smiles,
Here is the link: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=3740
Be sure to follow the instructions, so you get it in the right place. Once it is installed, you have to first open the PSE Editor and do a >File >Open As... and select Camera Raw from the drop-down menu. Then click on the JPEG file you want to edit and it will open in ACR.

Juergen

PS: Of course, if you open a RAW file, it will automatically open in ACR.

[smiles]

Thanks so much for the link Juergen. I'm off to download it now!

[uniqcrafts]

Juergen: Where might I find this PSE Editor? I locate PSE 5.0 but don't see Editor anywhere... what am I missing? Am I supposed to just put it in as a plug in?

I just want to make sure I understand this. After I download this, then I open the picture with this new download. Anything specific I should single in on? Never worked in raw before.

Thank you again.

Smiles: Thanks for explaining. I did some of that but not all of it, so thanks for taking the time to explain. Sounds like I need to do some trial and error.

[smiles]

Michelle, here is the read me file link (http://www.adobe.com/special/photoshop/camera_raw/Camera_Raw_4.2_ReadMe.pdf)

[Juergen D]

Michelle,
PSE consists of the Editor and the Organizer. When you open a picture for editing, you are in the Editor.

Juergen

[Daviskw]

Hi there

I thought I would give it a try as well... no better but a different way. I used ACR to adjust exposure and color as well as noise reduction then opened in the editor. I then used hue/saturation and levels adjustment layers to refine.

I smoothed out some noise in the face, shirt, and pants with a smudge brush.

Butch

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1FGuXSTL3QIoOaQN128AEhL1z4XdP_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1FGuXSTL3QIoOaQN128AEhL1z4XdP)

[uniqcrafts]

WOW!! Amazing!! I'm simply at awe. Now if I can figure out this ARC thing.

Smiles: I'll read the file next.
Butch: Amazing! Can you explain in more detail? Still learning here.
Juergen: Thank you so much for explaining that. I feel so stupid. So since the download is a plug in that is where I should put it... correct?

[uniqcrafts]

Sorry for responding before I checked out the link.

Smiles: Thanks... just need to check things out to see if I put it into the right place and I did it ok.

[uniqcrafts]

Ok... I have a stupid question. Where is this ARC located?

"Be sure to follow the instructions, so you get it in the right place. Once it is installed, you have to first open the PSE Editor and do a >File >Open As... and select Camera Raw from the drop-down menu. Then click on the JPEG file you want to edit and it will open in ACR."

After I god to Open As... can't select Camera Raw. Where might I find it from what drop-down menu. I am able to locate the files but don't seem to get a drop-down menu. Just menus that ask for the size/dimensions.

[Juergen D]

Michelle,
When you click on >Open As, you should see this box:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1sQOpYArh7B0UznezjWleR0UKx0nq_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1sQOpYArh7B0UznezjWleR0UKx0nq)

On the bottom, click on the down arrow and go to Camera Raw. Then click on the file name or the thumbnail, then click Open.

Juergen

[smiles]

Michelle, that's what we are here for! Help and learn from each other! I was not using ARC until I seen what it could do, thanks to Juergen. I have now used on about a dozen family photo's. I love it!
A BIG THANKS, JUERGEN!!

[Juergen D]

<smiling> :o

Juergen

[uniqcrafts]

Juergen: Thank you for explaining, I was able to open the picture... Finally. Thank you again.

Butch, Juergen: Now that I have the picture open in raw, what are the numbers you used. First time using it and wanted to know what you both started with as my end result doesn't look like either of yours. Thank you for your help.

[Daviskw]

Hi Michelle

I don't remember the exact settings but I usually start out with the exposure slider... I brighten or darken then use the recovery slider to bring back detail. I do know I had the recovery slider all the way to the right. I keep the highlight clipping warning on...you can toggle it by pressing the letter "o". Wherever there is highlight clipping you will see red. I did not get rid of all the red but I did where important like detail in the faces.

Then I experimented with the temp and tint sliders just a small amount. I did not worry too much here because I knew i would adjust the color in the editor but global adjustment sometimes helps

I did not use the brightness and contrast controls...or clarity and vibrance because these increase clipping and your photo already had a lot of clipping. But with most pictures the clarity and vibrance are important controls..clarity is like high radius sharpening and can enhance detail...vibrance increases color saturation in low saturated areas but not as much in high saturation areas...very useful at times.
I very seldom use contrast or brightness controls… I use exposure for brightness and tone control for contrast or I do it in the editor.

I then clicked on the tone curve icon...in this dialog experiment with the different sliders... I used mostly the dark and shadow sliders. Their effects are obvious.

Next I clicked the detail icon...I decided not to do any sharpening here...but you could if you wanted…I did adjust the noise reduction sliders.... just experiment here as well.

I then clicked open image to open in the editor. Here I used a hue/saturation adjustment layer to select the red contamination near the bottom center of the photo. I clicked the + eyedropper and reds from the drop box then clicked a few times in the red contamination. Then I adjusted the hue and brightness sliders until I removed it. Of course this made changes thru the whole picture so I filled the mask with black to hide the adjustment then used a white soft brush with the mask active to paint the contamination away.

The pants and dress area was still sort of washed out... there are a lot of options here I could have used a levels adjustment and the mask to darken... even paint with a low opacity black color but instead I used a blank layer set to color burn... filled the layer with white…. then painted with a 5 percent opacity black brush to darken the area... then I blurred that layer to even the effect. A final adjustment of this layers opacity did the trick.

I then used a levels adjustment layer to make final adjustments to the tone. I increased contrast a little with out blowing highlights. Then a final hue/saturation adjustment layer to finalize the color.

I then applied a small amount of noise reduction...not a lot I did not want to loose detail but a little to smooth the background and railing.

I wanted to sharpen but I saw there was a lot of noise still in the faces...shirt and pants. Sharpening would make that stand out too far. So I picked a rough round bristled brush and the smudge tool at 40 percent and I smoothed the noise staying away from the edges so I could keep detail.

Lastly I experimented with High radius low amount sharpening...not sure of the settings but I'm sure the radius was around 25 and the amount 50 or so... not sure...more experimenting.

Hope this helps Butch

[uniqcrafts]

Butch: Thank you for taking the time to explain your process. Just a few questions.

1) Where do I find the "Tone Curve" icon?
2) How do I make the mask active?

I havn't gotten any further, but I'm sure I will have more questions. Thank you so much!

[uniqcrafts]

Smiles: I'm so glad Juergen could help you out as well. That's why it helps to read each others posts, you never know when something will be helpful. I have learned alot that way as well.

[uniqcrafts]

Smiles: Make sure you post some in the before and after... that would great to see them.

[Juergen D]

I cannot exactly recall the settings I used either. But this would be a good starting point:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1rYOOdT1Q8jEvlislAhg2Ce0wEnI0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1rYOOdT1Q8jEvlislAhg2Ce0wEnI0)

Juergen

[Daviskw]

Hi Michelle

Below are shots of the ACR dialog with the circled icons. The settings represented in the example are not for your photo.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/146r3pq1tg75eL4Ykdyrocg0lmlp1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=146r3pq1tg75eL4Ykdyrocg0lmlp1)

A masked layer has two parts… the part to the left is the actual layer information… the box to the right is the mask. If you want to work on the mask you first need to click on the mask once to make it active. If you look closely you will see a white box will appear around the part of the layer you are using … the information or the mask. In the example below the layer information is active NOT the mask

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1F5cUb69TErRfkGl8FqhS809Goati_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1F5cUb69TErRfkGl8FqhS809Goati)

It is a common mistake to forget to click on the mask before using it and accidentally paint black or white on the actual photo information.

Butch

[uniqcrafts]

Wow, thanks so much for taking a picture of the page and displaying it for me, boy was that an easy way to figure things out and understand it all. Thanks!!

Juergen: Thanks for your settings, I will check mine out.

Butch: Where did you get all those settings? My screen looks exactly like Juergens. Is their a drop down I'm missing... different version... or simply looking in the wrong place?

[Juergen D]

Michelle,
It looks like Butch is using the full Photoshop version of ACR. That one has more bells and whistles than ours. ;)

Juergen

[uniqcrafts]

Juergen: Where would the full version be? Free I hope.

[Juergen D]

Sorry, but no... They have fairly frequently some "specials" when it is 'only' $300, else it is in the $600 range.

Juergen

[uniqcrafts]

Juergen: Hmmm :( Well at least the version we have worked just fine. I just posted my after version in the before and after forum. I think it turned out just fine. Let me know what you think. Thanks again for your help and Butch and Smiles as well. A BIG THANKS!!!

[Daviskw]

Michelle I am sorry for the confusion... My version of Elements will not work on my Vista machine. I'm glad you got the job done.

Butch

[uniqcrafts]

Butch: That's ok. I'm glad it worked. Thank you for all your help.