How to reduce bright light on head in this image

08/25/2006 11:52:52 PM · #1

Is there a way in photoshop to reduce/remove the bright patch on the babies head in this image?

This is a crop from this (resized) original:

I'll pay back any suggestions with comments on your portfolio :)

08/25/2006 11:56:41 PM · #2

have you tried burning it, or making a new layer and darkening the whole image then masking off the rest of it and just include the birghtness in the selection??

-Dan

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

08/26/2006 12:02:42 AM · #3

Ooooohhhh I wish I remembered where I saw the perfect answer to this.

It involved the blending mode being set to darken, so it only affects the lighter bits, but I don't know the rest of it :-(

redsunphotography

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/26/2006 12:13:11 AM · #4

You can darken it, but the details are lost forever as the highlights are blown.

If you're skilled with a graphics tablet and photoshop, using the "smudge" tool and the healing brush you can paint in the details yourself and make it look natural and real.

Other than that even darkening the area won't be the greatest, as a blown highlight will not match the skin tone with darkening. You could try duplicating the layer, using the dropper tool to select a skin tone near the area, and use the fill tool to fill in the blown area on the duplicate. Try different layer settings and opacity, and it will at least give the area a similar colour and something you can use to tweak with better results.

-Hideo

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

08/26/2006 12:25:22 AM · #5

here yah go, a quik one its a little blochty but that can easily be fixed..
i duped the background, then used the heling brush, this is a good use for the healing brush since it doesnt copy pixels, it copies texture, and by adding texture to the blown out parts your giving it back pixel information, which in turn darkens it a bit, the healing brush also coppies some color information.

hope that helps :)

-Dan

annasense

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

08/26/2006 12:32:46 AM · #6

what about lightening up the rest of his face so it's not as noticeable? just another alternative suggestion, although i think

I Enjoy Ham is on the right track.

renefunk

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/26/2006 12:51:25 AM · #7

well that is a little complicated, cause the stops beetwen the 2 zones are to much i gues maybe 4 or 5 stops.thw white part un the face will still white however you do you do :(
that happend to my sometime ago

08/26/2006 12:57:41 AM · #8

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

Is there a way in photoshop to reduce/remove the bright patch on the babies head in this image?

-- Presto-Chango-->

Click on each, then switch in the taskbar to see changes.
Involves light cloning, then selected the area, added monochromatic noise, then faded back to suit, more light cloning maintaining some texture. Trying to remove all of it will render it unrealistic, just involves feathering it out in a way.
Oh and made a few other basic adjustments while I was in there, but had to come up for air after about 10 minutes...

Actually I used my non-masking tape contrast mask secret weapon that will be coming out on a 8-track tape at a store near you.
(actually I have no idea how to use masks, just work in layers)

Message edited by author 2006-08-26 01:05:07.

08/26/2006 01:11:16 AM · #9

Thanks for your suggestions and examples. I'll give it another go and visit your portfolios to leave a comment for each of you.

The people on this site are very friendly and helpful - it's a great community!

08/26/2006 01:14:55 AM · #10

It's from this site I have learned and to which I return the karma.
Kind of a clichÃ©, but it's very much a pass it forward bunch here.

08/26/2006 01:17:23 AM · #11

god brad... you always have to show me up dont you :p nice one

-Dan

08/26/2006 01:53:55 AM · #12

Don't ignore a closer crop
and B&W conversion too:

08/26/2006 01:56:12 AM · #13

Originally posted by BradP:

Don't ignore a closer crop
and B&W conversion too:

I think you may have hit the nail on the end as "they" say. This looks like it is the option to reduce the impact of the blown out area the most. This may also help tone down the busy cloth on the couch too :)

08/26/2006 02:05:07 AM · #14

The "busy" blanket pattern is easy.
New layer via copy, soft focus, then erase back the youngin, flatten.
Tones things down a bit and makes the focal point pop a bit more.

Before:

And a quickie after:

(need to click on each and compare in taskbar - can't tell in thumbs)

Hint:
When erasing areas in a layer, and when you think you have done it all, go to image, adjustments, invert. You will find what areas were missed. Continue to erase (soft-edged brush) until done, then invert back, and flatten.

Message edited by author 2006-08-26 02:09:59.

08/26/2006 02:18:01 AM · #15

Well thanks again Brad. I have made a comment in everyones profiles and while I was there I added you as a favourite photographer - you have some great work in there - especially your candid B&W's. I guess B&W is a favourite of yours ;)