I need some serious help fixing an overexposed photo

arnie0674 · 01-23-2012, 04:55 PM

For the most part, fixing this image is not that difficult. The difficulty is with the parts of the image that are completely blown, like on the girls knees, foreheads and cheeks. If you look at most of the attempts above, you'll see the knees are either white or grey, not the best look.

Its possible that the original JPG has more detail.

icywindow · 01-23-2012, 05:09 PM

I'll add an attempt, skin colored sky go!
Fill with eyedropper color, use darken blending and opacity.

slpslee · 01-23-2012, 06:37 PM

I thought it wasn't too bad to start with. Are you looking for something like this?

Tom Woj · 01-23-2012, 06:44 PM

Just to add, were you shooting with the subject's facing the sun? Shoot the other way round to avoid squinting eye's etc.

**bjdavey** · 01-23-2012, 09:00 PM

What a super example of a helpful forum community!

hambone · 01-24-2012, 09:14 PM

I appreciate all you guys efforts. Thanks!

**Schraubstock** · 01-24-2012, 11:20 PM

Hi

Not that this a problem with your group picture as far as I can see but I thought you might be interested for future such sessions.

Here is a trick I use when photographing groups. When you take photos of a group like this there will be always someone you catch with their eyes closed, or half closed. (Sun position plays a role of course). But you can avoid this so none in the group will have their shutters down. So what's the trick ?

Tell people to close their eyes and keep them shut and instruct them to "open eyes" immediately at the count of "three"! So you go: ONE, TWO, TREE - CLICK !
Works every time - no more closed eyes, even if you use a flash.

Greetings

Frogfish · 01-25-2012, 05:34 AM

Originally posted by Schraubstock

Hi

Not that this a problem with your group picture as far as I can see but I thought you might be interested for future such sessions.

Here is a trick I use when photographing groups. When you take photos of a group like this there will be always someone you catch with their eyes closed, or half closed. (Sun position plays a role of course). But you can avoid this so none in the group will have their shutters down. So what's the trick ?

Tell people to close their eyes and keep them shut and instruct them to "open eyes" immediately at the count of "three"! So you go: ONE, TWO, TREE - CLICK !
Works every time - no more closed eyes, even if you use a flash.

Greetings

ha ha - I was going to say exactly the same thing. It really does work every time !

hambone · 01-25-2012, 10:59 AM

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!

01-23-2012, 05:09 PM	#32
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	I'll add an attempt, skin colored sky go! Fill with eyedropper color, use darken blending and opacity. Attached Images

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01-23-2012, 04:55 PM	#31
arnie0674 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 173	For the most part, fixing this image is not that difficult. The difficulty is with the parts of the image that are completely blown, like on the girls knees, foreheads and cheeks. If you look at most of the attempts above, you'll see the knees are either white or grey, not the best look. Its possible that the original JPG has more detail.

01-23-2012, 06:37 PM	#33
slpslee Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Midwest US Photos: Albums Posts: 27	I thought it wasn't too bad to start with. Are you looking for something like this?

01-23-2012, 06:44 PM	#34
Tom Woj Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Stafford, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 163	Just to add, were you shooting with the subject's facing the sun? Shoot the other way round to avoid squinting eye's etc.

01-23-2012, 09:00 PM	#35
bjdavey Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Alexandria, VA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 162	What a super example of a helpful forum community!

01-24-2012, 09:14 PM	#36
hambone Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 47 Original Poster	I appreciate all you guys efforts. Thanks!

01-24-2012, 11:20 PM	#37
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Hi Not that this a problem with your group picture as far as I can see but I thought you might be interested for future such sessions. Here is a trick I use when photographing groups. When you take photos of a group like this there will be always someone you catch with their eyes closed, or half closed. (Sun position plays a role of course). But you can avoid this so none in the group will have their shutters down. So what's the trick ? Tell people to close their eyes and keep them shut and instruct them to "open eyes" immediately at the count of "three"! So you go: ONE, TWO, TREE - CLICK ! Works every time - no more closed eyes, even if you use a flash. Greetings

01-25-2012, 05:34 AM	#38
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by Schraubstock Hi Not that this a problem with your group picture as far as I can see but I thought you might be interested for future such sessions. Here is a trick I use when photographing groups. When you take photos of a group like this there will be always someone you catch with their eyes closed, or half closed. (Sun position plays a role of course). But you can avoid this so none in the group will have their shutters down. So what's the trick ? Tell people to close their eyes and keep them shut and instruct them to "open eyes" immediately at the count of "three"! So you go: ONE, TWO, TREE - CLICK ! Works every time - no more closed eyes, even if you use a flash. Greetings ha ha - I was going to say exactly the same thing. It really does work every time !

01-25-2012, 10:59 AM	#39
hambone Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 47 Original Poster	Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!