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Photo Tips - Pictures too dark?
Lighting isn't always perfect. Sun hides behind the clouds, the
"auto" feature on our camera got invaded by poltergeist, one too many
filters on the camera.. It doesn't matter the reason, point
is, that it happens.
The following is going to be our base picture.
The
problem? It's underexposed. Correctable? Yes.
There's two ways to correct it. One using Photoshop CS and the
other using PaintShop Pro (9)
Photoshop CS
This is actually my preferred method. It's easy and saves lots
of time.
- open the picture in
Photoshop
- go to "image"
- "adjust"
- choose "shadow/highlight"
- checkmark the two boxes
that appear in the popup box -- "preview" and "show more options"
Once you do that, you should
have the following:
Each bar does something different. Play with each thing and discover
what it can do to your picture. Make small changes-- if you don't
see any results, make bigger. If you don't like it -- put it back
to where you did/do. The above numbers are pretty much my default
numbers.
After applying that one feature, the following happens:
As you can see a there's a large difference. I only applied the
default settings that I showed above. I could have lightened it
a bit more by making the adjustments.
Once you've done that, you can go in and adjust color, crop, or anything
else that needs to be done. Remember to do a "save as" when you
save the picture, so you don't overwrite the original. And save
it to the highest compression. In Photoshop that would be a 12.
(the adjustments for color and everything else will be in different
tips)
Paintshop Pro
*easy method*
- Open your image
- "adjust"
- "one step photo fix"
And then just let the program
run its course. Sometimes it works well. Other times, not
so good. In this case, it works well.
The one step photo fix corrects lighting, brightness, contrast, color
-- the whole nine yards. If it's to your liking -- "file" "save
as".
If it's not -- undo -- is your best friend. Simply go to "edit" and
choose "undo .. .. " You can undo many steps and get back to your
original image, if need be.
So let's say that it wasn't a satisfactory fix.
- go to "adjust"
- choose "brightness/contrast
enhancement"
2) allows you to preview the changes in the larger image rather than
that little window they're showing.
1) locks the setting so from here on out, when you open this box --
you'll always have auto preview.
Those two settings apply to ALL adjustments/effects etc. Anytime
a box pops up that is similar, make sure those two items are pushed
in.
Once you've done that you'll be able to play with the different settings
there. Sometimes they work well, other times they don't. If you
like what you see, hit "ok" to apply the settings.
If they don't -- you need to go to the last 'fix'
- adjust
- choose "brightness/contrast"
- choose "brightness/contrast"
No, that's not a typo.
Notice those little buttons are pushed down, so I can see the larger
preview in the original image.
Play with the sliders till you see something you like.
If you like what you see, hit "ok".
Conclusion:
I won't lie, there's other ways to correct an image that is underexposed.
It involves dealing with things more complex than I want to think about.
Now THAT would take the enjoyment out of what I do.
I prefer to use Photoshop CS for these types of situations. I
feel that the highlight/shadow give me greater control w/out adding
crud to the pictures. Usually, what I do after I adjust that,
I'll save the file and then reopen it up in Paintshop Pro, if I need
to do something over there. (both programs have their strong points).
The end result of the above picture was this:
- exposure fixed (photoshop)
- cropped (paintshop)
- mild color correction
(paintshop)
- focus magic filter run
to sharpen image
- saved in lowest (1)
compression for print (paintshop)
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Be sure to visit my galleries to puchase any pictures shown here in addition to hundreds more. Sizes available up to 20x30 in addition to unique photo gifts such as coasters, magnets, puzzles and more. |
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All images copyrighted by
Eloquent Visions Photoraphy
- Rose M. Swinson
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