Okay, I know that there is a way (or I think there is one) to bring Sarah out of the shadows and Luc out of the sun to give them both a proper exposure.
However, I haven't got a clue how to do it.
Just purchased Photoshop Elements, and learning how to use it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Wendy @farmreporter there is a lot of people on this site, who are much better in processing than I am. But as no-one replied so far, this is my small attempt to help. It is not so difficult. Most I did with dodge and burn, and adjusting the temperature of the light. Google “dodge and burn” in Elements (add your version-number) there are many great tutorials online. Hope this helps, and feel free to come back to me, if you have further questions.
HI Wendy. I was also going to suggest dodge and burn, and Mona @mona65 has very effectively demonstrated how it can improve this image! I use it more and more with Elements 13. Just thought I would mention Scott Kelby & Matt Kloskowksi's book about using Elements, which I have found incredibly helpful. Good luck!
there is an even simpler method , which i think will be available in elements, go image.>adjustments> shadows /highlights , adjust the sliders to around 50% each and then make slight adjustments to each until you like the balance . I then made about a 10% increase of contrast, image>adjustments>brightness/contrast https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/474902364.jpg
My two cents worth would be to probably use a combination of all of the above techniques! I have just finished editing my shots from my aunty's wedding, and unfortunately (because I was running around after my kids too) some of the poses were already in place by the time I was able to take a shot, and many times faces were in shadows etc. My personal experience is that using just one of these techniques often results in a kind of unnatural look, so I was using a combination of lifting shadows (across the whole image), applying dodge brushes (little by little) and occasionally changing the colour temp/tint or backing off the saturation too, because sometimes lifting shadows results in funny colours.
Of course it's a happy learning experience too, that moving your subjects into even lighting can save you much mucking around on the computer! :)
@jackies365 Thank you for the edit and your time - It looks very natural and the two halves of the shot are well blended.
I am enjoying these lessons, and hopefully my photos will improve.
@aliha I agree about moving the subjects. This shot was actually the very first, and taken while they were relaxed and talking to me. It is my favourite because their poses became very static once we moved to better lighting. So, what do you do? Lighting I can fix, but stiff poses and tight smiles I cannot.
New here so late at posting but as far as static poses go, joke, have them make funny poses and faces and dance, etc, just to get people laughing and relaxed and then it might be easier. Has worked for me....sometimes
Welcome to 365! Thank you for your comments. They are always appreciated.
Yes, it does help to get a rapport with your subjects to get them to relax. Get them talking and forget that you have a camera in your hand.
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Thanks so much!
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/474902364.jpg
I'd stick with the image | adjustments | shadows/highlights. It's much more powerful and subtle than brute force dodge and burn, as @kali66 Kali said.
Of course it's a happy learning experience too, that moving your subjects into even lighting can save you much mucking around on the computer! :)
I am enjoying these lessons, and hopefully my photos will improve.
Yes, it does help to get a rapport with your subjects to get them to relax. Get them talking and forget that you have a camera in your hand.