Engagement: Amanda & Dusty - sky problem

[asyouwish]

Howdy.

I'm processing this image for display at the wedding reception and can't manage to tone the sky down successfully. (I find it too bright/harsh in the original and too flat/gray in the edited version.)

Original:
http://asyouwishbcs.com/asyouwish_images/AmandaDusty/RMe_0100a.jpg

Edited for subjects (partially):
http://asyouwishbcs.com/asyouwish_images/AmandaDusty/RMe_0100b.jpg

Edited for background:
http://asyouwishbcs.com/asyouwish_images/AmandaDusty/RMe_0100c.jpg

Apologies if these images aren't posted correctly. I'm a newbie at this image-sharing thing! ;)

Thanks in advance,
Lori

[Derweissehai]

i like them, but hey I'm a newbie as well.

[hawk911]

Did you try a layer for the BG then correct, then merge FG in? I'm no expert, but that seems the right way to go.

[asyouwish]

yeah, I have the background hotspots on their own layer...so I can control them, I'm just not sure the best way to do so.

I have a color layer (an attempt to make the sky a little blue-er) and a pattern layer (an attempt to add clouds/texture).

-Lori

[jessiper]

If you make "Image Editing OK" then people may be able to help you better. (go to User CP) I wouldn't worry about the sky too much, it's the people's faces that need the work (not them, just exposure-wise). ;) Also, engagement pics can be posted in the Wedding section.

[lil_miss]

I would say create two exposures - one for them and one for the background -merge them as layers and blend them through till you get a good mix.. the contrast/sat needs to be turned up on them too IMO

[Heatseeker99]

The sky looks so blown to me that the data is lost. PSing a fake BG might be the only way to get any color out of it.

[RPCrowe]

after the horse is gone...

There are sevaral things you might do to prevent this type of problem in the future...

1. Be aware of your background. That is a problem that many photographers (especially photographers with less experience but, sometimes old timers goof on this also). In this case, your subjects were in the shade and your background was the bright sky. This dynamic range is beyond the ability of your camera to capture. I don't really like sky as a BG esecially bright sky.

2. Choose a background that is either about the same brightness or a bit darker than your subjects.

3. Use fill flash to light your subjects.


Another thing... Look at your subjects when you are shooting. Whe you are shooting in the shade from trees, make sure that there is not dappled shade (small areas of shade and small areas of bright light) falling on their faces. Notice the dappled shaded areas especially on the man's forehead.

[RPCrowe]

When choosing a background, try to choose a simple background, not one that is very busy. Additionally, make sure that there is nothing "growing" from your subjects heads and shoulders.

hat I mean by this is that you should make sure that there are no vertical or horizontal images: telephone poles, tree limbs, plants, etc. that appear right behind your subject's head and shoulders.