SOS need help with this Wedding image

Hello,

I had an absolute nightmare taking this image a couple of weeks ago - everyone kept running off and the sun was horrendous!!

Is there anything I can do to fix this photo, I'm feeling very disheartened.

Let this be a lesson: dappled or mixed sunlight is the photographer's bane. In the future be aware of it and avoid it at all costs. The only approach that comes to mind for this shot is a lot of dodging and burning. I'm not comfortable with that term because in the darkroom, dodging would lighten an area of a print and burning would darken it (I think -- I get confused). With digital, it seems that burning would lighten the area. The idea is to darken the overexposed areas. I wouldn't hold out much hope for this solution, however. The bridemaids on the right are essentially blown out. There is no detail to resuscitate. The same for the lady in the blue dress to the groom's right. In three spots, faces are cut in half with half in shade and half blown out. In my opinion, it would be very difficult to fix this. Often, attempts at fixing a flawed image just make it worse. The true value for the family is that it's a doc shot (documentary). It will gain values in later years and the flaws will be less jarring.

Share the raw, and some of us might find time to play with it. There are several things that need addressed:

1) Angle of rotation
2) Blow-out of highlights on the right side, white clothing and direct sun most likely caused clipped highlights
3) Lots of masked exposure changes across the frame to bring sun down, and shadows up
4) General contrast/sharpening, diligently

Was this a paid photo, or just something you snapped to capture the entire family in these rare times?

With lots of time in Photoshop - creating masks - sure. Not enough time nor space to go into full detail but you can separate this image into layers and mask off regions to deal with the light issues of these section individually. Depending on how much they are paying you ( or you care about these people ) will determine how much effort it is worth.

rather than make dodge and burn corrections, i prefer to develop one image from the raw file that has proper exposure for areas that are in the sun, and another for proper exposure for areas that are in the shadows. Put each on a seperate layer and use masks to show or hide certain areas. With this image you may need a third as the base layer that has an average exposure.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18788627
rather than make dodge and burn corrections, i prefer to develop one image from the raw file that has proper exposure for areas that are in the sun

Is this even possible when data are missing? The histogram shows a substantial column climbing the wall to the right. I'm not trying to be argumentative; asking as an amateur, hoping to learn.

Sorry, that is one for the bin. To many things wrong that the time to fix isn't worth it and some areas will not be recoverable.

BTW, dodging in PS is lightening and burning is darkening.

OhLook wrote in post #18788685
Is this even possible when data are missing?

no, not in areas that are already blown out.

it will make it darker but it will just be a muddy grey. Depending on how the image posted was processed, there may be recoverable data in the blown out areas.

Dodge and burn would work on the people whose faces are half in and half out of the sun, but no amount of processing is going to make this great, just better.

The only way to fix the two individuals that have eclipse lines across their faces would be to see if you have any other pictures where they are looking at about the same direction and replace their heads.

Blending the layers would defenitly work. Duplicate the layers - in each layer fix the lighting issues. The shadow areas are the majority of this, so I think I would try putting the light layer on the bottom, then with the dark layer on top, ease the ares of the blown out parts exposing the fixed parts below. Since the two are on separate layers, you can find the right mix, and then when happy, flatten the layers.

I've done this only a few times. Keeping them as separate layers allows for a lot of tweaking, and blending options.

Like that recommendation the best.

Do not bin this.... this happened only once.... its worth the work to get it back as good as you can. Remember most people just want the memory captured, and aren't looking for an award winning image.

Just adding to the chorus: You certainly can improve on the image but you won't be able to make it perfect. And if you don't have the raw file then it is even less hopeful.

Silverlining, we know you have been back to this thread recently. Do you have the raw file handy? What are your thoughts on the feedback thus far?

Thank you all for your help, a friend who was a wizz on photoshop has giving it a go and it looks so much better. I will ask them exactly what they did and report back. The photo is now far from perfect but at least passable and most importantly the Bride is happy. Thank you all for not being cruel (which I was fully expecting after taking the worst group shot of my life!!)

I have certainly learnt a lesson here and will never ever repeat this lighting!! Thank you all again, it’s great to find such knowledge and expertise in one place.