Post Processing help please

[Colin the King]

My nephew went to Lapland recently and unfortunately the photo of him with Santa came out like this. Has anyone any ideas how to sort this out please.
I've tried to add a layer from a strap on the left of the coat and although it looks better I can't get rid of the glow on the extremes of the strap.

[CDickinson]

Colin -

There isnt' much you can do thats not without a LOT of work and knowledge.
The simplest thing is to use a clone stamp in PS and try to clone out the streak of light with the red of his jacket. Then go in and blur the spot and then use the healing brush over the cloned part.
You're going to have to use several layers of the photo and keep adjusting levels and saturation to even it all out.

C

[maderito]

Someone with good experience (not me) in retouching and restoring photos could probably handle this. Most of the bad image data (the flash reflection) and can be isolated with selection tools. As noted, you then have to clone, heal, and possibly brush in new details. You might consider submitting this to RetouchPro for help and suggestions: http://retouchpro.com/ .

[Colin the King]

Thanks very much for your responses.

I've tried to clone from the jacket and from the band but do not have the ability / experience to make it look any where near natural.

As suggested I'll see what retouchpro.com suggest.

[scottbergerphoto]

What about using the Magic Wand Tool to select the sword and tone it down with Levels?
Scott

[PacAce]

What about using the Magic Wand Tool to select the sword and tone it down with Levels?
Scott

LOL :lol: Yeah, it does look like light saber from Star Wars, doesn't it? That's what I thought it was at first. :lol: But I think it's a reflector strip on the jacket so the wearer will be visible at night. Of course, I could be dead wrong and really embarass myself. :confused:

[samdring]

LOL :lol: Yeah, it does look like light saber from Star Wars, doesn't it? That's what I thought it was at first. :lol: But I think it's a reflector strip on the jacket so the wearer will be visible at night. Of course, I could be dead wrong and really embarass myself. :confused:
No - I think you're right - Scott's been on the Magic Toad's Tool again;)

[PacAce]

Here is how I would fix the image using PSCS:

1. create a duplicate layer of the background (I just do this out of habit)

2. click on Select > Color Range, and in the Color Range window, select Yellow and click OK. You should now have the area around the bright yellow reflection selected. If there are any yellow areas that's not part of the reflection, like the Xmas lights, you can exclude them from the selection.

3. Open the levels adjustment tool. I prefer the Layers Levels adjustment tool but you can use the Image Levels adjustment tool if you prefer.

Change the Channel to GREEN and move the black point to left of the histogram. This is about 77 on my Input Levels for the black point. Set the Output Levels to 0, 9.

Set the Channel to RED and set the black point again. Input Level for mine was 79 for the black point. Set the Output Levels to 0, 169.

This should take care of getting rid of the yellow reflection and glare, ending up with a white band. I selected the bright white reflective bands (using the blue channel as a mask but you can use any selection method that suits you) and changed the color to a gray.

[Colin the King]

Tremendous, thanks very much everyone.

Guess what I'll be doing this weekend ??

It's actually custard spilled during lunch - he's a messy eater.:lol:

[JX]

Hi PacAce

Well done.

[Colin the King]

Thanks to everyone for their help. I've attached the before and after.

I couldnt have done this without all your assistance, my nephew will be deilghted I'm sure......:D

[maderito]

OK - you can move to the head of the class!! :)