Need Help with CS2

"The Old Bloke" wrote in message

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Have a try with, Image>Adjustments>Shadow/Highlights

"/\BratMan/\" wrote in message

"The Old Bloke" wrote in message

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Have a try with, Image>Adjustments>Shadow/Highlights

Heh, that’s great!!!!

Doug

"The Old Bloke" wrote:

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Just start with some very basic daily use like

– Level (you may have the problem solved right here). You can use "Curve" if you wish.

– CS2 has Hi-lite/Shadow option (I don’t use this but tried few times and it’s ok.. I guess).

– *BUT* instead of stop there, why not take the chance to learn new more advanced technique. This will require some basic knowledge of "Layer" and "Quick Mask" and knowing how to use the brush etc..

1- Making a copy (dupe) of the original layer

2. Using "Level" (or any tool you know) to adjust each layer to your liking. One to control the "hi-lite" and other to control the "shadow"

3. "Quick Mask" the top layer then start Masking/UnMarking and area you want Brighter/Darker to your liking. You can combine with Erase Tool and Cloning if you wish, and use the Brush wisely.

Who knows, it may be time to learn to use Dodge/Burn Tool too? why not? and there are 1001+ different options/tools so start with those simple ones to get a good started.

Thanks
Doug

"Joel" wrote in message

"The Old Bloke" wrote:

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of
CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want,
of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Just start with some very basic daily use like

– Level (you may have the problem solved right here). You can use "Curve" if you wish.

– CS2 has Hi-lite/Shadow option (I don’t use this but tried few times and it’s ok.. I guess).

– *BUT* instead of stop there, why not take the chance to learn new more advanced technique. This will require some basic knowledge of "Layer" and "Quick Mask" and knowing how to use the brush etc..
1- Making a copy (dupe) of the original layer

2. Using "Level" (or any tool you know) to adjust each layer to your liking. One to control the "hi-lite" and other to control the "shadow"
3. "Quick Mask" the top layer then start Masking/UnMarking and area you want Brighter/Darker to your liking. You can combine with Erase Tool and Cloning if you wish, and use the Brush wisely.

Who knows, it may be time to learn to use Dodge/Burn Tool too? why not? and there are 1001+ different options/tools so start with those simple ones
to get a good started.

Sounds like a steep learning curve, but many thanks for the tips.

Doug

"The Old Bloke" wrote in message

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Thanks
Doug

all good ideas to fix that picture
but you need help in camera too
fill flash
or white reflector
take the light reading on the subject not the background?? (although the background is lovely)
take two images one exposed for person one for background and sandwich? mid-day overhead light is very contrasty, you can put subject in full light with a scrim over

"KatWoman" wrote in message

"The Old Bloke" wrote in message

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Thanks
Doug

all good ideas to fix that picture
but you need help in camera too
fill flash
or white reflector
take the light reading on the subject not the background?? (although the background is lovely)
take two images one exposed for person one for background and sandwich? mid-day overhead light is very contrasty, you can put subject in full light with a scrim over

Thanks Katwoman,

I do need to learn. I have had small digital auto cameras till I recently bought a Canon 400D SLR. I have only taken 10 or so pictures so far, and all in full auto mode.

Many years ago I did have a good film SLR camera which was totally manual. I found that easy to understand, but I am struggling with the myriad of setting on the new digital SLR. Ideally I should join a club to get help, but my body is way past its prime and going anywhere involves much pain. Getting old isn’t fun.

What does "and sandwich" mean?

Regards
Doug
Australia

Have a look at About.com for tutorials and Russell Brown for same, good luck (Google for these)

The Old Bloke wrote:

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Thanks
Doug

"The Old Bloke" wrote:

"Joel" wrote in message

"The Old Bloke" wrote:

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of
CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want,
of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Just start with some very basic daily use like

– Level (you may have the problem solved right here). You can use "Curve" if you wish.

– CS2 has Hi-lite/Shadow option (I don’t use this but tried few times and it’s ok.. I guess).

– *BUT* instead of stop there, why not take the chance to learn new more advanced technique. This will require some basic knowledge of "Layer" and "Quick Mask" and knowing how to use the brush etc..
1- Making a copy (dupe) of the original layer

2. Using "Level" (or any tool you know) to adjust each layer to your liking. One to control the "hi-lite" and other to control the "shadow"
3. "Quick Mask" the top layer then start Masking/UnMarking and area you want Brighter/Darker to your liking. You can combine with Erase Tool and Cloning if you wish, and use the Brush wisely.

Who knows, it may be time to learn to use Dodge/Burn Tool too? why not? and there are 1001+ different options/tools so start with those simple ones
to get a good started.

Sounds like a steep learning curve, but many thanks for the tips.

Those are all basic commands that most Photoshop users should be using often, but the technique is what we need to learn.

Doug

"KatWoman" wrote:

"The Old Bloke" wrote in message

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Thanks
Doug

all good ideas to fix that picture
but you need help in camera too
fill flash
or white reflector
take the light reading on the subject not the background?? (although the background is lovely)
take two images one exposed for person one for background and sandwich? mid-day overhead light is very contrasty, you can put subject in full light with a scrim over

Agree! I am professional photographer who don’t believe in the "natural light anthem" many read and sing to others <bg>, but I use flash whenever I have the chance (day or night, indoor or outdoor). I create, bring and control light to whatever it’s needed.

Some even sing a louder song "available light" and I make more available light if needed. No, I rarely do direct-flash unless for some specific style then not just only direct-flash but also with either honeycone, tube, barndoor etc..

"The Old Bloke" wrote:

<snip>

Thanks Katwoman,

I do need to learn. I have had small digital auto cameras till I recently bought a Canon 400D SLR. I have only taken 10 or so pictures so far, and all in full auto mode.

Most DSLR camera have full manual control which work pretty much similar with film camera. They actually have more options than many old film camera (I switched to digital over a decade ago to know much about newer film camera). And Canon 400D has full manual control.

Many years ago I did have a good film SLR camera which was totally manual. I found that easy to understand, but I am struggling with the myriad of setting on the new digital SLR. Ideally I should join a club to get help, but my body is way past its prime and going anywhere involves much pain. Getting old isn’t fun.

I work mostly indoor with flashes or strobes, so I still not very happy with outdoor color or I sometime don’t get what I want (or landscape isn’t my style?).

<M>anual = I use 99.99% indoor with flash
<AV> = I usually use "AV" outdoor with flash (sometime TV) <P> = I rarely use but it is ok.

What does "and sandwich" mean?

Thank you, I will.

"sonsdad" wrote in message

Have a look at About.com for tutorials and Russell Brown for same, good luck (Google for these)

The Old Bloke wrote:

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Thanks
Doug

"The Old Bloke" wrote in message

"KatWoman" wrote in message

"The Old Bloke" wrote in message

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want, of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Thanks
Doug

all good ideas to fix that picture
but you need help in camera too
fill flash
or white reflector
take the light reading on the subject not the background?? (although the background is lovely)
take two images one exposed for person one for background and sandwich? mid-day overhead light is very contrasty, you can put subject in full light with a scrim over

Thanks Katwoman,

I do need to learn. I have had small digital auto cameras till I recently bought a Canon 400D SLR. I have only taken 10 or so pictures so far, and all in full auto mode.

Many years ago I did have a good film SLR camera which was totally manual. I found that easy to understand, but I am struggling with the myriad of setting on the new digital SLR. Ideally I should join a club to get help, but my body is way past its prime and going anywhere involves much pain. Getting old isn’t fun.

What does "and sandwich" mean?

Regards
Doug
Australia

sandwich of layers LOL
put the photos own top of each other in the layers
use oneof a number of methods to blend the two together

in your case
selection of the figure only would do
magnetic lasso
use magic wand to clean it up around edges
feather the selection a little
use an adjustment layer of curves or levels to lighten the woman

"Joel" wrote in message

"KatWoman" wrote:

"The Old Bloke" wrote in message

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this group. I am a poor photographer and a poorer user of
CS2, which I have just acquired.

Will some kind person give me a "recipe" for enhancing images such as http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w91/le0pard32/IMG_0072a.j pg I want,
of course, to have the person’s face clearer.

Thanks
Doug

all good ideas to fix that picture
but you need help in camera too
fill flash
or white reflector
take the light reading on the subject not the background?? (although the background is lovely)
take two images one exposed for person one for background and sandwich? mid-day overhead light is very contrasty, you can put subject in full light
with a scrim over

Agree! I am professional photographer who don’t believe in the "natural light anthem" many read and sing to others <bg>, but I use flash whenever I
have the chance (day or night, indoor or outdoor). I create, bring and control light to whatever it’s needed.

Some even sing a louder song "available light" and I make more available light if needed. No, I rarely do direct-flash unless for some specific style then not just only direct-flash but also with either honeycone, tube,
barndoor etc..

I prefer natural light if possible
hubby is the shooter
we use the scrim plus reflector in mid day
or shade with ambient light
but that shot is so back lit
it needs a fill
of course he never uses on camera flash so that means portable strobes

for my snaps I had success putting a white hanky over the built in flash and securing with a rubber band
very hi tech

we took a very sun-lit contrast shot the other day on auto just to compare to the manual selection
it was horrid, my dh does know his readings, (trannies left little wiggle room good training)

using color match on the bad auto one with a good manual one as the match in PS it came out amazingly close!~!
you can suck as a photographer and still fix it

"KatWoman" wrote:

<snip>

I prefer natural light if possible
hubby is the shooter
we use the scrim plus reflector in mid day
or shade with ambient light
but that shot is so back lit
it needs a fill
of course he never uses on camera flash so that means portable strobes

There is good and bad natural light, and the light from industrial city full of pollution is much difference than natural light (and air as well) clean countryside (or underdeveloped country). So I never worship natural light. Example, too early in the morning is not warm enough, noon is too strong, late evening is not enoug light .. so there isn’t much to sing about natural light but to bring light over and control to you liking.

for my snaps I had success putting a white hanky over the built in flash and securing with a rubber band
very hi tech

we took a very sun-lit contrast shot the other day on auto just to compare to the manual selection
it was horrid, my dh does know his readings, (trannies left little wiggle room good training)

I guess because the newer digital cameras have so many fancy features built-in (too many autos) that I don’t often get the color I want (I mean outdoor) so I am not totally happy with many outdoor photos.

Example, point to dark/bright spot (like background, area etc.) the camera adjust to different color, 1/2 press on darker spot then move to brighter whole pressing the shuttle will give different result, tilting the flash out of normal position will give different flash power etc.. And I am pretty picky with HUMAN skintone, and it’s hard to get the right color without being able to control the lighting/setting.

using color match on the bad auto one with a good manual one as the match in PS it came out amazingly close!~!
you can suck as a photographer and still fix it

I am work lot with portaiture and I usually keep most nartual skintone and skin-texture (no plastic look, almost never sharpen .. little soften on female) so I am very picky about color, and sharpness from the lens and camera setting not software. I don’t use plug-in (I stop messing with plug-in 6-7 years ago).