Adjusting exposure

[Annewin]

Can anyone tell me if there is a tutorial for exposing different parts of an image and then combining the different exposures? I found one but it was for RAW files and i shoot Jpeg and I could not figure out how to do it in JPEG.
Thanks,
Anne

[TonyW]

Not sure what tutorial you were looking at but that's the method I use all the time for both RAW and JPEG files. As long as you have PSE4 or higher you can use the latest Adobe Camera Raw (4.3.1) which will open JPEG files. I adjust the exposure (and other sliders) for the different parts of the image in Adobe Camera Raw, opening each adjustment in the Editor and making duplicates. Then combine the duplicates into one document with the different exposures on different layers and then blend them (usually using an add-in layer mask). Although JPEGS don't work as well as RAW files because they don't have quite the same range of tones they often can be improved significantly using this method and you can often do more than you can do with Shadows/Highlights which also is a way of adjusting exposure for different parts of the image.

Tony

[Annewin]

Thank you, Tony. I am not sure how to open JPEG in raw converter but will try again. I have PSE 3,4,& 5.
Anne

[elwoodsusanm]

Then combine the duplicates into one document with the different exposures on different layers and then blend them (usually using an add-in layer mask). Although JPEGS don't work as well as RAW files because they don't have quite the same range of tones they often can be improved significantly using this method and you can often do more than you can do with Shadows/Highlights which also is a way of adjusting exposure for different parts of the image.

Tony[/quote]
What are the steps for doing this please?:confused::)

[TonyW]

To open JPEGS in Camera Raw you use Open As and select Camera Raw in the drop down (NOT Photoshop Raw). For that to work you need to have PSE4,5 or 6 and have updated Adobe Camera Raw to 4.0 or higher (and preferably the latest which is 4.3.1)

To put the different exposures on different layers I make the first exposure adjustment in ACR, Open in the Editor, File>Duplicate, close the first file, reopen in ACR, make the second exposure adjustment, Open in Editor, File>Duplicate and repeat as many times as you want. You'll now have several copies of the image open with different exposures and other adjustments you've made. Then it's just a question of getting them all into one document by dragging or selecting, copying and pasting. Once you have them in one document I just add layer masks (Grant's or Graffi's for example) and then paint on the layer masks to show or hide different layers.

Sounds complicated but once you've done it a couple of times it's very quick and easy to do.

Tony

[Annewin]

Thank you, Tony. I will work on this tonight.
Anne

[Annewin]

[quote=TonyW;351758]To open JPEGS in Camera Raw you use Open As and select Camera Raw in the drop down (NOT Photoshop Raw). For that to work you need to have PSE4,5 or 6 and have updated Adobe Camera Raw to 4.0 or higher (and preferably the latest which is 4.3.1)

.Tony,
I tried to open in Camera Raw using Open as but I get a message that "Could not complete your request because of Program error". This message comes up on both my desktop and laptop. I must need to download the Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1. Where can I find that to download? Sorry to be so much trouble.
Anne

[douglas m scott]

Anne,

Here is the download site for camera raw file

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=3822

After downloading and unzipping you will put it in this file path for PSE 5


C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 5.0\Plug-Ins\File Formats

After opening the File Formats folder, find the previous Camera Raw 8BFI File (if there is one there) and delete it. now put the new 4.3 camera raw file in the File Formats folder and restart PSE5 and follow the directions that Tony gave for opening in camera raw.

doug

[elwoodsusanm]

You need to use 'Open As' to give RAW option:)

[Annewin]

Ok, I finally got it to work after many mistakes. Your help is greatly appreciated. It is so nice to have Elements Village to come to for help. Thank you for your help Tony, Doug, and Susan. :D
Anne