How would YOU retouch this mess?

sohappy2 · #1 02-28-2008, 09:40 AM

Hi Photo Experts!
I'm a pastor/art lover who knows little about photography. I thought i'd post this in the hopes that someone who likes a challenge could work on this this photo and re-attach your masterful retouching with explanations of what you did so we could all learn. it's a horrible photo, overexposed in parts, crappy color. The thing is... it's of a friend of mine and a broadway star... she can't retake the photo and I would love to give her a corrected version she could hang on the wall. I've spent hours on photoshop, but clearly, I don't know what I'm doing, so I thought I'd send a challenge out there and see if anyone picks it up. Any takers?

Thanks so much!!
Traci

MatthewMarshall · #2 02-28-2008, 09:48 AM

sometimes you just have to say oh well, no im just kidding. I will come back with an edit for you in an hour.

sohappy2 · #3 02-28-2008, 10:04 AM

i know... don't say i didn't warn you

Markzebra · #4 02-28-2008, 11:15 AM

I much prefer the "before" on the left she's cute, not so sure about the "after". Too much dodge maybe

pixel_monkey · #5 02-28-2008, 11:26 AM

Well, the picture appears this way is because it was taken by a low-res cell phone camera with the photographer that's also in the picture. It should be fine for web use, but you can't expect the quality is going to hold by blowing it up and hang it on the wall...just so you know.

Swampy · #6 02-28-2008, 12:14 PM

You may be able to take it to an art piece.

hawkeye60 · #7 02-28-2008, 02:15 PM

Here's a quick attempt...

mrbeagle · #8 02-28-2008, 06:08 PM

you can't polish a turd

dataflow · #9 02-28-2008, 06:33 PM

you can get rid of the blue artifact at the bottom by doing the following

duplicate original layer
go to to menu "image/apply image"
change the "channel to "Red" and click Ok
then choose a blending mode (i think "soft light" is best)

0lBaldy · #10 02-28-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sohappy2

it's of a friend of mine and a broadway star... she can't retake the photo and I would love to give her a corrected version she could hang on the wall.
so I thought I'd send a challenge out there and see if anyone picks it up. Any takers?

Thanks so much!!
Traci

Traci, I would ask your "Friend" (if she is the one that is washed out with the blown highlights) to come over some sunny day and bring the camera that was used... and if she held it .. do it again.. and take her picture as close as possible to the very same way as before then just switch heads..

Sanda · #11 02-28-2008, 08:14 PM

A quick fix, it needs a lot more but I don't have time.

Daviskw · #12 02-28-2008, 10:57 PM

Hi there

Here is another version...I'm afraid I could do little with it.

Butch

subxaero · #13 02-29-2008, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daviskw

Hi there

Here is another version...I'm afraid I could do little with it.

Butch

some photos should just be left alone

MatthewMarshall · #14 02-29-2008, 05:26 AM

sorry i said i would have it in an hour, but i had a client call that needed rush work, but here is my try, I wish i could spend a week on it, but i cant, so i did spend an hour, i hope this is a good start for maybe someone can build on this version from here

chillin · #15 03-01-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sohappy2

Hi Photo Experts!
...I thought i'd post this in the hopes that someone who likes a challenge could work on this this photo and re-attach your masterful retouching with explanations of what you did so we could all learn...

Thanks so much!!
Traci

I did some corrections and I think that by using the liquify tool, dodge & burn with some cloning & curves, you could get some good results.