Tutorial on changing expsoure

[mpowerken]

I need to adjust the exposure of pictures I took at the OuterBanks of the sunrise. Foregorund is underexposed and background(sunrise) is overexposed. I have PSE7. Must be a tutorial for this simple but common problem.

[ljameso1]

Now that you've got it try the shadows highlights slider under enhance. Processing multiple times in camera raw and using a mask to blend may help as well. In future use a tripod and take many exposures by adjusting the shutter speed so there is detail in shadows and highlights. Would then need to combine in a program such as photomatix. Search this forum for HDR to get more info.

[ken1]

The shadow/highlights balance may, or may not, not fix it.

Here is a method to correct foreground + background independently:


Select foreground with lasso, feather 5-15px. Can make selection with mask as well


Create levels adjustment layer #1, via half black/white circular icon in layers palette


Press CTRL+white area in levels adj. layer #1. Do nothing else at this time


Select original image


Go to Select>inverse (CTRL+I)


Create levels adjustment layer #2


Now, by double clicking on the levels control box, sequentially, in each of the layers, can enhance foreground & background with the sliders.
HTH

[mpowerken]

I did shoot this scene on a tripod exposing foreground and background properly in separate pictures. How would I merge these pictures using PE7? Better results than adjusting a single shot?

[ljameso1]

Open both images in PSE. Use copy/paste to put one on top of the other on it's own layer. If you have a mask plug in apply a layer mask to the top layer. If you don't add any adjustment layer such as levels and click ok without making changes. Drag the adjustment layer below the top layer. While holding down the alt key, hover over the line between the top and adjustment layers until you see double moons come up and click once on them. This will link the mask to the top layer. Whichever way you do it, click inside the mask to make it active and select the gradient tool (keyboard shortcut G). Pick the foreground to transparent and make sure your foreground color is black. Drag the gradient from top to bottom on the photo. You should see the bottom layer showing through. It will probably take many tries to get it to fall how you want. If you think you would like to do a lot of this sort of thing suggest reading up on hdr and looking into photomatix.