How to remove a shadow from a photo?

<Martin

Martin

"Andrew Morton" wrote in message

Martin

"KatWoman" wrote: (clip) it is always easier to make a photo as good as possible and avoid PS

excessive corrections
poor photos can be improved with PS but will not look as well as a shot taken correctly in camera

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A camera is a "machine," with physical and optical limitations. I almost always do some digital work on my images to accomplish results that were not fully realized in the original image. I think your statement goes way too far. Some failures in the original exposure are very difficult (virtually impossible) to Photoshop away–for example, severe underexposure, camera movement, poor focus, poorly chosen angle of view, inappropriate focal length. OTOH, things like contrast, brightness, background blur are easily manipulated. Even facial expression can often be improved. The more you work on pictures, the easier it becomes to recognize small ways to make worthwhile changes, I LOVE to play with local contrast in order to help the viewer see what I want him/her to see. I sometimes move objects in a picture to improve composition.

One of my best examples was a picture made by combining parts from several exposures of dancers, taken in a crowded room, where the ideal photograph would have simply been impossible. The result was a picture that represented the "reality" I had in my mind’s eye. I think this is a valid use of Photoshop. I frequently also like to go through a photo made with flash, and remove the harsh shadows cast by the single light source.

You may be right, that an umbrella, or a shower curtain, or a diffuse reflector would have produced better lighting, but those dancers won’t stand still for that.

Martin ©¿©¬ @nohere.net wrote:

Hi
Using Photoshop 7
I have a photo of a person sitting near a wall
They are casting a shadow on the wall
How would I go about removing the shadow?

Same thing, this is pretty basic and I will give you the advanced technique. Also, I don’t remember Photoshop 7 has Masking option or not (I think it does but I don’t have good memory).

1. Make a duplicate of the original

2. Using Level to adjust the SHADOW layer to match the normal layer. DO NOT worry about the bright part cuz you only need to take care of the shadowed part

3. Click on the [o] (Quick Mask) then using BRUSH Tool to bring up the repaired area and you have it.

If you don’t know how to use Mask Tool (not creating Mask Image) then you may need to Google for some vidio tutorial.

"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message

"KatWoman" wrote: (clip) it is always easier to make a photo as good as possible and avoid PS

excessive corrections
poor photos can be improved with PS but will not look as well as a shot taken correctly in camera

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A camera is a "machine," with physical and optical limitations. I almost always do some digital work on my images to accomplish results that were not fully realized in the original image. I think your statement goes way too far. Some failures in the original exposure are very difficult (virtually impossible) to Photoshop away–for example, severe underexposure, camera movement, poor focus, poorly chosen angle of view, inappropriate focal length. OTOH, things like contrast, brightness, background blur are easily manipulated. Even facial expression can often be improved. The more you work on pictures, the easier it becomes to recognize small ways to make worthwhile changes, I LOVE to play with local contrast in order to help the viewer see what I want him/her to see. I sometimes move objects in a picture to improve composition.
One of my best examples was a picture made by combining parts from several exposures of dancers, taken in a crowded room, where the ideal photograph would have simply been impossible. The result was a picture that represented the "reality" I had in my mind’s eye. I think this is a valid use of Photoshop. I frequently also like to go through a photo made with flash, and remove the harsh shadows cast by the single light source.
You may be right, that an umbrella, or a shower curtain, or a diffuse

I did not say avoid PS entirely ‘
read what I typed avoid EXCESSIVE PS to correct what should be in the original IE good lighting
of course I use PS to tweak most images from good to fantastic that is my job

crap to fantastic is harder

this man is asking how to fix POORLY LIT PHOTOS
I advise him to reshoot over fixing crap

I may be right??
I am right

"KatWoman" (clip) this man is asking how to fix POORLY LIT PHOTOS

I advise him to reshoot over fixing crap (clip)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The man asked how to remove an unwanted shadow from a wall. It is a stretch to conclude from that that it is a poorly lit photo. It is a HUGE stretch to call it crap. It’s for an ID badge. Why not just answer the OP’s question?

"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message

"KatWoman" (clip) this man is asking how to fix POORLY LIT PHOTOS

I advise him to reshoot over fixing crap (clip)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The man asked how to remove an unwanted shadow from a wall. It is a stretch to conclude from that that it is a poorly lit photo. It is a HUGE stretch to call it crap. It’s for an ID badge.

Why not just answer the OP’s

question?

1. the first poster already told him how
2. that is too beginner for me to tell how to use the clone tool

if a person does not know how to do that he willhave a poor result and it is easier and he said for himself it was easier to re-shoot it

read the thread
all of it

<Martin

"Leo Lichtman" wrote:

<Martin ©¿©¬ @nohere.net> wrote: As the photo is for a disabled parking Orange badge, I think it will

be easier to take the photo again paying particular attention to the possible problems

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I realise that, by now, you have probably taken care of this, but another very simple solution occurs to me. Select around the person’s head. Invert selection. Do an average blur of the background. This should be perfect for an ID badge. The only problem could come from trying to select the person’s hair, if it is ragged, or fluffy and semi-transparent.

Not a good choice for professional use, but if you don’t wanna listen then I guess it’s your problem, not?

Martin ©¿©¬ @nohere.net wrote:

Thank you all very much for your help and support
I got a friend who knows more about Photoshop than I do to follow your guidelines and correct the pic for me.

You use them all or just one or few, and which one? IOW, people spend lot of hours monitoring the newsgroup to learn, and since you got your help then you should return the favor by telling other which one solved your problem.

"Joe" wrote: Not a good choice for professional use, but if you don’t wanna listen then

I guess it’s your problem, not?

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Joe, I wasn’t suggesting it for professionalk use. The OP is someone with limited Photoshop skills, trying to put a head shot on an ID badge. I DO wanna listen. I read every response, and I made this response considering Martin’s need and skill level. Why don’t YOU listen?

"Leo Lichtman" wrote:

"Joe" wrote: Not a good choice for professional use, but if you don’t wanna listen then

I guess it’s your problem, not?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Joe, I wasn’t suggesting it for professionalk use. The OP is someone with limited Photoshop skills, trying to put a head shot on an ID badge. I DO wanna listen. I read every response, and I made this response considering Martin’s need and skill level. Why don’t YOU listen?

I don’t think that’s the right answer, because you should use the professional technique all the time for very simple reasons

1. When you have mastered the technique then there won’t be any easier way.

2. If you haven’t mastered then keep on practicing.

And to your last question. I am LISTENING that’s why I know it ain’t right.