Help with removing shadows.

[AnorexiaGore]

I'm so frustrated. I've been trying to remove shadows from these pictures for days and I just cannot get it. Can anyone help? This is just one of many that have shadows across her face.

I'm using Photoshop CS5.

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6706/003ivp.jpg

[philbach]

Hi There. Well the best way to solve this problem is to be aware of high contrast situations when you are taking the picture and using "fill flash" to lighten the shadows.

With your photo I first used Image/Adjustments/Shadow Highlights in CS5.
Next I copied that layer and used screen blending mode. To that copied layer I applied a layer mask and painted in the shadow areas. I copied that layer to lighten it up even more.

[Alan_P]

Check the advanced options on Image/Adjustments/Shadow Highlights for a little more control. This adjustment is implemented in Photoshop as a filter even though it does not appear in the filter menu. If you apply it to a smart object it will come up as a smart filter.

Alan

[AnorexiaGore]

Yeah, she really wanted pictures taken on that picnic table after I had told her I probably wouldn't have been able to edit out the shadows, but she insisted so I did. I'm planning on a re-shoot with her sometime soon. Thanks for your help! (:

[sirrduke2010]

The truth about shadows. Her is the thing about shadows. If I got out a light meter and stated how dark or underexposed the shadows are you might be surprised, even you you shot them in RAW, that a shadow that is too dark can bring noise to your image. The old line it is better to underexpose than overexpose is true to a point. A shadow that is too dark will be extremely hard to fix because of the noise problem. If the shadow is too dark you may need to reshoot the shot because of the noise factor. Beware the dark shadow and if it is too dark a noise reducer won't be enough.

[Alan_P]

If you are going to shoot a picture with the intention of lightning the shadows then it is important to shoot at the lowest ISO.

[chillin]

I wonder why didn't you move the lady to the front of the bench/table. I think, there was enough space left to avoid the shadow altogether.

You could try to remove some of the shadow, but there is not much hope for a good result.

[AnorexiaGore]

I told her I'd get better lighting in front of the table, but she insisted on sitting on it.

[Alan_P]

Try fill flash.