Underexposure and editing background...which way to start?

[dahlia]

I took a complete crap noob shot and I'd like to attempt to improve it because A.) I have kindergarten-level editing skills and need the practice, and B.) Brain surgery is easier than getting my cats to hold still.

Obviously I want to fix the awful underexposure, but I also want to edit out the box in the lower left. I've found good sticky links to underexposure and to editing, but not the two together.

I can't see what I'm doing if I don't make the screen layer first, but if I do, the background work stays transparent. What am I doing wrong?

(I'm actually working on a tif, but obviously it's too ginormous to attach here.)

I won't be offended if you say it sucks too badly to fix it. :)

[In2Photos]

Use the screen layers to brighten the image, then flatten the image before working on the background.

[dahlia]

Flattening! Duh! Thank you! *knocks self on head*

[nutsnbolts]

Here is a small attempt. Can't say I did a whole lot to it. i just wanted to see what I was looking at. lol.

http://www.eternalgathering.com/junk/POTN/Bella-evenbetter.jpg

[300Dplus]

dalhia, I know that "Brain surgery is easier than getting my cats to hold still" but if I were you, I will try to do a better exposed retake. It is hard to bring all the details back and bella is worth to have everyone of them ;)
This is what I came up with:

[rw2]

Here is my try. I agree the picture should be retaken.

[nutsnbolts]

This reminds of an article I read. Basically it's about one image that was given to 30 photographers to post process. After a week, 30 different perspective of what they considered was a good image.

[PhotosGuy]

Good effort, Tom!

Try a Layer Mask for easy local changes.
Airport runway shoot (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=117950)
If you shoot RAW, then blended exposures using the same technique will give better results.
2007 Chevy HHR (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=227752)
More detail on the methods:
Mixed Lighting Issues Solved By Using RAW Format!!! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=207331)
RAitch Tutorial - Burn and Dodge with a Layer (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1180033)

RE: "MiSTeaKs" When I screw up...
Why I love RAW - '53 Ford Sunliner (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=43761)
I'm never throwing away a picture again (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=316900)

[goforphoto]

4 screen layers, and a color adjustment.

[V8Rumble]

I find you can get much better adjustments for exposure in Lightroom. Push 2 2/3 stops in Lightroom with a small amount of fill light and a tone curve adjustment to lights and darks to add contrast. Slight WB adjustment as well too cool the colour a smidge. A full res image with no jpeg artifacting would be better, raw would be best.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/mprooi/potn/bella.jpg

Editing out the box would be a lot of work. Especially since there is no carpet to wall line else where in the image to clone. It's out of focus anyway. I didn't even notice the box until you mentioned you wanted it removed.