Been trying to reduce the effect of the sunlight on the side of the head (hair) in this shot and have had not much luck. Wondering what some of you might suggest as a remedy.

Hi Rick as you know I'm certainly not the expert here... but here is my 2 cents! First thing I notice is high distortion, so it was little tough there. I suppose there is other things that could be done but I'll try and keep it simple. As always I'll bet there is many ways to get this easier than what I did.
One trick I learned (which works better in CS3 than CS2 and currently I'm using CS2 until I get my office system back up.):

1) I like to work in color profile sRGB
2)go to channels and select one channel at a time, go to surface blur and adjust each channel
3)on the RGB channel (with all channels now selected) use cntrl C this selects all the highlights
4) now switch back to layers and use cntrl J, on the layer you just selected go to [multiply] (in the drop down box) adjust opacity as desired
5) merge the layers (if you haven't already) and save a new layer and delete the locked one
6)go to image/adjustments/select color then select [absolute]
7) use only the black color slide bar/ go to the color channels as desired and notice how you can adjust color (highlights) one way or the other.

Lets see if someone else has other easier suggestions. -t

Hi Rick,
I thought I'd see what I could do with it too. I didn't know how to upload the photo to this reply since I don't have a web url to put into the "link image" box, so I uploaded it to the Files page! You'll have to look at it there! Maybe you can tell me if there is a way to add a photo to a discussion reply without having a web address to link to.
Here's what I did to it:
First, I adjusted the overall color with levels using the mid-tone eyedropper tool to sample a neutral grey in the background (used the one on the left center shadows). Then I used the burn tool at 20% (Highlight mode) on the bright area of the hair to tone it down a bit. I brightened her face a little with the dodge tool and removed the hair on her cheek (not sure if you wanted to keep it as more natural or "cleaned-up" which, of course, is optional!) and the chocolate stain under her mouth. Next, I lowered the overall contrast (-8) and increased overall brightness (+3) a touch.

You can see if any of this is helpful!

Betty

Betty,
Easiest way to do that at meetup is to go to the "Photos" section and upload the photo there. Once it is in place you do the following:
Click on the thumbnail to show the photo;
Click on the photo and it will open to full size in a separate page/tab;
Copy that URL and paste it into the "Insert Image" dialogue box in the discussion board.

Hope that helps.
Rick

I'm going to look at that file now.

Thanks

You and Tony both did nice work on that image. I like both renderings. I'll just have to accept the fact that the harsh highlights on the hair are never going to be able to be changed significantly. It's just too drastic of a transition. I've played with it a lot and I think I just have to live with that aspect of the photo. Anyway, her mom doesn't see what all the fuss is about and likes it as is so who am I to quibble. Thanks for trying and thanks for participating on the boards.

hey Rick just take a different picture... LOL... I know I'm no help!

Yeah, your right. Just need to learn how to watch the light. Unfortunately, people just pop into your lens from time to time and the shutter goes and then, well, you know the rest. Capture the moment.

Well Rick, I personally think it is a nice photo with the highlighting too. It gives it some interest and adds softness too. I certainly wouldn't be too concerned. Just thought I'd see what I could do!

Betty

Forgot to try the linking method you suggested! Here's the photo I retouched!

Thanks you guys! I sent one to my sister in law and she loved it. Thanks for the help.