Removing Shadows

[00marriage]

I have watched a few video tuts on removing shadows/lighting. I am having a problem with utilizing the brushes. In the videos that I have watched, I am utilizing the layers pallet and the levels adjustment. I set the background to black by holding Control and then I. No problems thus far.....the problem is when I click on my brush my choices for brushes are selection and mask. I don't know where the choice for "normal" brush with opacity choices are?????? In the tuts, it shows along the menu bar, normal for brush. Not sure what I am missing here. I would really like to use this method or at least be able to complete the task...

Also, beyond this technique, perhaps all of you pros have other suggestions as to how to remove the shadows, specifically on the faces. I took this photo of friends.

Thanks in advance for all the great help I know will come my way!;)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1kaYQwsnpQq7LpzC1W3WWrttMGkHU0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1kaYQwsnpQq7LpzC1W3WWrttMGkHU0)

[douglas m scott]

OOmarriage,

You are selecting the Selection Brush instead of the Brush tool located farther down the tool bar, 17th tool down, stacked with Impressionist Brush, Color Replacement Tool and Pencil Tool...

doug

[00marriage]

oh yeah, luv it when I prove what a newbie I am!!! It took a minute for it to dawn on me.....STACKED being the keyword in your response. I kept seeing the pencil but not the brush. Just when I think I'm getting the hang of this software, it proves to me just how much more I have to learn! It's the lil things that keep hangin me up....make me pull my hair out and then I'm left saying: "oh, that's all it was".

Thanks so much for your help!

I believe when I have mastered PSE, I will publish a book-PSE for dummies! I certainly would be an appropriate author!

[00marriage]

now that I have tried this technique, does anyone have any other suggestions as this does not seem to be having as much of an effect as I was hoping for in dimming the shadows

[fogdrip]

00marriage -

Try the Dodge Tool - you can lighten the faces and still keep a hint of shadow to help define the face.

My attached version was made by "Dodging" the mid-tones at 50% Exposure. I just did the two faces - took about 30 seconds. Careful, its pretty easy to overdo this technique.

Thats one thing to learn about PSE is that there are many ways to reach the same effect. :)

Good luck,

Steve

[Juergen D]

A triple Screen layer, masked and painting on the mask with different soft brush opacities.

Juergen

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ECDwHSaodDgUiCozZj5DqZ8sNWF_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ECDwHSaodDgUiCozZj5DqZ8sNWF)

[00marriage]

you are all so very helpful, thanx so much. next time when photographing, I will be much more careful to pay attention to the lighting/shadows...so much to learn, so little time! THANX AGAIN!

[Byron Gale]

00marriage,

If you do find yourself under the trees, again... try using fill flash when you take the picture.

Byron