So frustrated!

[KBM1016]

Here is a photo I took yesterday. I am so annoyed at the shadows that it's not even funny. Anyone have an idea of how to fix this in post? I tried messing with it yesterday but couldn't get to anything that didn't look processed.

Ideas at this point would help.


_MG_5513 by Autumnlightsphotos, on Flickr

 

[cgipson1]

It can be fixed in post if you have Photoshop.. some creative cloning, dodging and burning, etc... but really should be re-shot. Bad lighting... what did you use.. and how did you shoot this? Looks like bare flash camera left... not diffused at all.

 

[The_Traveler]

There is no way to show you if or how well it can be fixed for two reasons:

1) you've set the images private in Flickr and trying to edit a tiny picture like this posted here is useless
2) you don't allow editing and so respondents can only tell and not show - a totally inadequate way of dealing with a graphic situation.
​

 

[jake337]

You could have used a reflector camera right to help the shadows a bit.

 

[KBM1016]

Although I appreciate the offer, I don't really want anyone editing my photos simply because that's the easy way out. I can't learn to fix my errors if I don't do them myself

I do have CS5, I have one soft box camera left directed at my kids, the other is on the backdrop. I have yet to invest in a reflector (which is next on my list coming at the end of the month) which I would have used as fill to the right. I was hoping to bounce enough light off the wall but alas, no luck. I may try the reshoot simply because I love the new backdrop.

 

[The_Traveler]

Although I appreciate the offer, I don't really want anyone editing my photos simply because that's the easy way out. I can't learn to fix my errors if I don't do them myself

You won't really understand your errors unless you see how other people edit your pictures.
But it's your choice.

 

[jake337]

Although I appreciate the offer, I don't really want anyone editing my photos simply because that's the easy way out. I can't learn to fix my errors if I don't do them myself

You won't really understand your errors unless you see how other people edit your pictures.
But it's your choice.

Plus they can give a step by step as to what they did.

 

[Mrgiggls]

I don't think this is a bad shot at all even with the shadows. Warm up the temperature, add a bit of contrast and ramp up the vibrance and this would be a shot you could show off. If you wanted to get a little more artistic you could add a duplicate layer, give it a gaussian blur to de-focus the background more and mask your girls back into focus.

Try not to get bogged down too much in technical perfection. This is a very good photograph with two adorable models.

 

[WhiskeyTango]

Although I appreciate the offer, I don't really want anyone editing my photos simply because that's the easy way out. I can't learn to fix my errors if I don't do them myself

I do have CS5, I have one soft box camera left directed at my kids, the other is on the backdrop. I have yet to invest in a reflector (which is next on my list coming at the end of the month) which I would have used as fill to the right. I was hoping to bounce enough light off the wall but alas, no luck. I may try the reshoot simply because I love the new backdrop.

The beauty of a reflector is that it doesn't have to be anything special. Grab a piece of foamboard, poster board, or really anything white and snug it in on the right side.

I'm guessing you might be able to get your softbox a little closer in on the left too. It and the reflector can be "just" out of the frame, as long as they're decent enough size.