Bad Case of Lens Flare

[dpage617]

I have literally messed with these photos for hours. And of course they are the ONLY few where the child is smiling so I feel I MUST fix this some way. I'm beyond frustrated and am hoping someone here could help me? I've tried everything from heal/clone/sponge etc.

[chillin]

First, you could use frequency separation & work with curves on low frequency layer. Next, you could move to the high frequency layer to work with a healing brush correcting the texture. And at last, you could use some more curves adjustments & D&B to apply finishing touches.

[dpage617]

That's amazing!!! I'll try what you said and see what I can come up with. Thank you so much for the input and showing me the finished outcome as well.

[mistermonday]

Chillin, great work as always.
Dpage617, if you are not familiar with frequency separation or don't have time to come up to speed with it, you could try another approach. Add a Curves adjustment layer above the background. The flares should be easily selectable with the Quick Select tool or the elyptic selection tool. Darken the selected area using the Curve adj layer until the luminosity matches the surround area. Using a desaturating adj layer will help you visualize when the luminosity has been matched. Then just add a blank layer set to color blend mode above the darkening curve and paint good color over the flare.
Regards, Murray

[Daviskw]

Here is a quick go using Murray's technique.

Butch

[dpage617]

That looks good except for his mouth (obviously). I am going to try both ideas, if I can and see what I come up with!

[dpage617]

I've been trying both methods and am just not having any luck. It's been awhile since I've used full photoshop (years!) and have just been using elements.
I know how to make the new layer, get to curves, select the area and then I'm stuck! You all make it look far too easy!

[lc123]

Great result there chillin, this is the first ive heard of low and high frequency layers... could you explain what you did in more detail or maybe point me in the direction of a tutorial? thanks

[diohareni]

Wow Cilin, Amazing...nice to be here in the forum...

Dio Hareni
Newbie

[chillin]

Originally Posted by lc123

Great result there chillin, this is the first ive heard of low and high frequency layers... could you explain what you did in more detail or maybe point me in the direction of a tutorial? thanks

Here you will find some info.

Maybe the layers setup pic will help you

[dpage617]

Originally Posted by chillin

Maybe the layers setup pic will help you

Thank you! I will give it another try at some point today and let you know how it goes.

[chillin]

Originally Posted by dpage617

Thank you! I will give it another try at some point today and let you know how it goes.

Try to use reference points working with curves.