Hi:
I would appreciate any help that people could give me with the uneven exporosure on this photo. Thanks.

Simon, of the 3 channels, the red is the best to work with. I would convert the image to grayscale by either applying the red channel to the composite image or by using the channel mixer set to monochrome selecting 100% red as the result. Add a new layer on top of the image and fill it with 50% gray and change it's blend mode to overlay. Now with a soft brush at about 10-20% opacity, paint with black where you want to darken, and with white where you want to lighten. I did not go far nor was I trying to be neat / precise with the attached sample but just wanted to point you in the direction. This is just one of many methods you can use to even it out.
Regards, Murray

Hi there

Used the red channel like Murray. I like to make loose selections with a soft brush and quickmask. Then use a curves adjustment layer to darken... over darken in fact. Then I hide all and bring back with a soft brush with low opacity. Did the same to lighten in some areas as well. Added just a touch of noise reduction and color.

Not a lot of detail to recover however

Butch

Thank you, Murray and Butch. There is a world of difference between the before and after photos. I didn't even realize that the boy was wearing a hat. Your suggestions will give me something to work with. Thank you very much.

Butch, great job! I think the Sepia - like tone really does it for this image.
Regards, Murray

Thanks Murray... hard to match your work though

Butch

Butch, thank you for the kind compliments,
Regards, Murray

Hi,

simon29,

welcome to RetouchPRO!! :pleased:

I had a go at your picture ....

If you are interested, I'll post the details later ....

Murray & Butch,

nice job!!

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Flora:
I would appreciate hearing a detailed list of how you approached fixing the exposure on the picture. Thank you for spending the time to work on the photo.

Hi Simon,

working with Photoshop CS2, I started with a Shadow/Highlight Adjustment Layer.

I loosely selected the 'worst' parts and used Levels and Curves on my selections to further correct/balance lights and shadows in my selections.

I used several blank layers set to Darken, Lighten, Soft Light and Overlay to selectively enhance details (faces, hands, etc. )

Dust&Scratches, Patch Tool and Heal Brush to remove scratches etc.

Hue/Saturation for a light sepia tone.

USM to lightly sharpen.

Hope this helps.

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Thank you, Flora. That will give me another technique to try. Thank you for your help.