HELP! What corrections do these need? Besides the obvious ;)

[SabrinaO]

This is my brother, his girlfriend and their beautiful girl. There's a huge red lens flare(?) on the baby. Actually... my filter was a little dirty and after I wiped these didn't show up. Any suggestions on how to remove it? I also need to clone the scratch on the baby's forehead. What other corrections do you think these need? Please be honest. I know I need another light for a hair light, but budgets tight right now...

 

[SabrinaO]

I also burned one of the two catchlights in each of my brothers eyes because it just looked too weird.

 

[KmH]

What kind of filter do you have on the lens for doing portraiture?

Using a lens hood helps to prevent lens flare.

 

[Bram]

Try a white background. The dad looks like he has endless hair...

 

[KamesG]

I would put a Plus 1 Exposure action on the photo, use overlay, then play with the opacity.

I would definitely try to brighten the background using this method without effecting the people. Use the layer mask function and just erase the the people in the overlay.

 

[SabrinaO]

What kind of filter do you have on the lens for doing portraiture?

Using a lens hood helps to prevent lens flare.

I just have a protective uv filter on both of my lenses. Is there a specific filter should be using for portraiture?

 

[SabrinaO]

Try a white background. The dad looks like he has endless hair...

I actually added a vignette... just preference. Should I take it off? I just don't like the look of the "not so black" background.

 

[SabrinaO]

I would put a Plus 1 Exposure action on the photo, use overlay, then play with the opacity.

I would definitely try to brighten the background using this method without effecting the people. Use the layer mask function and just erase the the people in the overlay.

This is in photoshop right?

 

[SabrinaO]

Anyone have any ideas about the red lensflare?

 

[Karri]

I also recommend toning down some of the shine on the mom's forehead and if you can lighten the shadow a little on the second one between the mom and baby.

Taking the vignette off may help with the 'endless hair' as referenced above.

 

[Karri]

Which post processing software are you using?

 

[SabrinaO]

Which post processing software are you using?

I used Lightroom 3 but I have photoshop cs5 also.

 

[SabrinaO]

I also recommend toning down some of the shine on the mom's forehead and if you can lighten the shadow a little on the second one between the mom and baby.

Taking the vignette off may help with the 'endless hair' as referenced above.

Thanks! I didn't even notice the shadow

 

[CCericola]

Posing: Dad should be moved. Mom and Dad's heads line up like a totem pole. Baby is positioned so that she blocks light on Mom's face creating awful shadows on Mom. Replace the red and white tube in Baby's hand with a much smaller toy. I'm thinking she was holding it to keep her calm.

Lighting: One of your lights is getting getting caught by your lens and creating that red spot. Make sure your lights are not flashing into the camera. A hair light can separate the dad from the background a bit. Also, once you re-pose a lot of the light problems will disappear.

Misc: Mom needs a bit of translucent powder to keep the shine down. It is more effective to reduce shine before the shoot than in Photoshop. Make sure everyone is farther away from the background. This will help make the background stay black and not get hit with the light. Make sure your black background is clean and wrinkle free.

PS. Beautiful Family!