Photo Levels Corrections

M
Posted By
MW
Oct 7, 2005
Views
221
Replies
4
Status
Closed
I have some photos I need to adjust the levels on – they are the type in which the flash filled the foreground of the photo and it is very light, but the background is dark.

They were taken indoors.

The problem I have is that using levels brings out the background very nicely, but the foreground, of course, gets blown way to light.

How should I tackle this issues?

Thanks,

-Mike

How to Master Sharpening in Photoshop

Give your photos a professional finish with sharpening in Photoshop. Learn to enhance details, create contrast, and prepare your images for print, web, and social media.

HL
Harry Limey
Oct 7, 2005
"MW" wrote in message

The problem I have is that using levels brings out the background very nicely, but the foreground, of course, gets blown way to light.

Using Highlight and shadows in CS might help, or you could try a feathered selection on the light area, inverse and use the levels (or curves) adjustment.
There is another way where you could duplicate the layer, adjust the levels that so that the background is as you want it, then use the history brush mode set to darken to reinstate the areas which are too light.

Harry
N
nomail
Oct 7, 2005
MW wrote:

I have some photos I need to adjust the levels on – they are the type in which the flash filled the foreground of the photo and it is very light, but the background is dark.

They were taken indoors.

The problem I have is that using levels brings out the background very nicely, but the foreground, of course, gets blown way to light.
How should I tackle this issues?

Levels is not the most appropriate tool for this, because it gives you limited control. Shadow/Highlight is much easier and more effective. If you use an older version of Photoshop that doesn’t have this option, try ‘Curves’ and make a curve that is raised in the left half and lowered in the right half.


Johan W. Elzenga johan<<at>>johanfoto.nl Editor / Photographer http://www.johanfoto.nl/
MR
Mike Russell
Oct 7, 2005
"MW" wrote in message
I have some photos I need to adjust the levels on – they are the type in which the flash filled the foreground of the photo and it is very light, but the background is dark.

They were taken indoors.

The problem I have is that using levels brings out the background very nicely, but the foreground, of course, gets blown way to light.
How should I tackle this issues?

Set up a curve that fixes the foreground, then add a layer mask containing a gradient that’s white at the bottom and black on top. Try converting your image to Lab mode as well, as this may reduce unwanted color shifts. —

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
T
Tacit
Oct 8, 2005
In article ,
MW wrote:

The problem I have is that using levels brings out the background very nicely, but the foreground, of course, gets blown way to light.
How should I tackle this issues?

Image->Adjust->Curves.


Art, photography, shareware, polyamory, literature, kink: all at http://www.xeromag.com/franklin.html

How to Master Sharpening in Photoshop

Give your photos a professional finish with sharpening in Photoshop. Learn to enhance details, create contrast, and prepare your images for print, web, and social media.

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