Any way to process out harsh flash shadows?

[Picture North Carolina]

I need to process some shots that cannot be redone. They were taken in a photojournalistic environment when only a single flash on camera was doable. I used a stoffen cup and also bounced the flash, but some of the pics still have harsh shadows that look really bad. Is there an easy way to fix them? /Dan

[PhotosGuy]

2 exposures from RAW & layer mask them?
(...and don't forget to give us an image next time!) ;)

[Dermit]

Sometimes it's quite feasable to work with the healing tool in PS to soften the edges of harsh shadows. If you understand how the healing tool works you can really use it to soften the edges, if you don't understand it you will likely just make a mess of things. I've used it many times to minimize the harshness of the shadow line.

[Picture North Carolina]

I will try layering two exposures and blending. Plus using the shadows tool to try to bring up the dark areas only - perhaps (again) on a duplicated then masked layer. I tried the healing tool as suggested but didn't have much luck with it.

PhotosGuy, I wanted to post a sample, but am precluded by the licensing agreement with the publisher. /Dan