I went to my daughters college graduation yesterday. The ceremony was under a large tent. So I set my camera settings to lighten up the interior of the tent. Then I realized they were marching in and I quickly ran out to get a few shots. These are the best shots of the day and I didn't readjust my camera! I am so mad at myself. I've edited as best as I can with exposure but the highlights on one side of her face are still glaringly bright and it makes the contrast seem "clown-like" Other than using exposure (and every other setting in my nikkon editing software that I've tried to no avail).....is there any editing I can do to make these better?? I really hope so! These are candids and my favorites! Thank you for any suggestions!!
How frustrating for you! Did you post them in your project? Hard to know what to suggest without seeing them... If you use Lightroom, you could try decreasing clarity and contrast... You might also try converting to black and white - although I realize that isn't everyone's cup of tea, it can sometimes help in these sorts of situations.... I hope you can figure something out...
I know your pain! I forget to adjust settings in situations like these and kick myself because it's not like I get a do over! I like @northy 's suggestions and maybe you could post a shot here to see what others could recommend
It's very difficult when the histograms for the pictures show that areas have totally burned out i.e. RGB values of 255,255,255. There is no way to recover image information because it just doesn't exist any more - it's just white. Would it be possible to post one of the affected pictures so that we can all see the problem and maybe make further suggestions?
Here it is.....thoughts? @northy I have tried playing with the contrast and clarity and exposure. This shot actually has some corrections. I did convert it to B&W in one attempt. It's ok but there is still a lot of loss in the detail. Any suggestions would be appreciated! @creampuff@darylo Thanks for your time!
Gosh! This will a challenge. As I suspected, a large part of your daughters face has had everything blown out to a value RGB of 255,255,255. The only thing I can think of at the moment would be to play with sampling some skin tones and then doing Photoshop work with different blending modes
As regards shooting. For the very reason you describe, unless I am setting up in a studio or other fixed situation, I use the Nikon ISO Sensitivity Settings, "A" priority and ISO Auto as "standard operating procedure." Very nicely Nikon DSLRs have the function on all of its cameras. I use ISO 100, Max ISO 3200, Slowest Desired Shutter 1/50. Actually on my D7100 I have the slowest shutter set to AUTO which will adjust for the focal length of the lens to the slowest "safe" shutter for hand-held shooting. Only the 7xxx and full frame cameras have the extra AUTO function, but set a fixed 1/50 (or even less) and with VR lenses you should be just fine. I can move from bright to dark instantly and never worry about shutter or ISO, only worrying about aperture and focus field I want by setting the f/stop.
As regards the image you show, there really is nothing more you can do. Once detail is clipped, there's nothing you can do to bring it back. You can for sure do local adjustments and lower the exposure, but you won't get any detail emerging, just a bland grey. Sorry...
Over exposed pixels just go blank white and they cannot be brought back - but there are some things you could try if you have Photoshop. Duplicate the background layer, then change the blend mode on the new layer to darken or multiply. you might have to turn this into a layer mask to and paint out the parts that are already dark and have detail so they do not go too dark. The other option would be to try to use the clone tool or paintbrush and paint in skin detail/texture onto the right side of the face.
I did a quick edit on it but can't get it back into this discussion to share it with you - not sure how you posted the image into the comments section but I couldn't get it to cooperate. Send me an Email address and I can send you the edited version that way. (jjpixels@gmail.com)
Never got the Email.... I posted the photo to the following link - you can download it from there. The image resolution was low to begin with, so it is posted low there as well. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjpixels/18500017281
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Here it is.....thoughts? @northy I have tried playing with the contrast and clarity and exposure. This shot actually has some corrections. I did convert it to B&W in one attempt. It's ok but there is still a lot of loss in the detail. Any suggestions would be appreciated! @creampuff @darylo Thanks for your time!
As regards the image you show, there really is nothing more you can do. Once detail is clipped, there's nothing you can do to bring it back. You can for sure do local adjustments and lower the exposure, but you won't get any detail emerging, just a bland grey. Sorry...
Good luck.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjpixels/18500017281