Removing Shadows from the Attached Pic

[G&G Photo]

I just recently took the attached photo. It contains several shadows that I want to remove with Photoshop however I am not very familiar with the application. Can anyone please tell me the steps involved in an easy-to-understand manner? Every time I try using Photoshop, I get so confused so I really need the steps broken down for me.

Thanks so much.

Priti

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by G&G Photo

I just recently took the attached photo. It contains several shadows that I want to remove with Photoshop however I am not very familiar with the application. Can anyone please tell me the steps involved in an easy-to-understand manner? Every time I try using Photoshop, I get so confused so I really need the steps broken down for me.

Thanks so much.

Priti

Try the Shadow/Highlight tool in Photoshop.

Steps: Image>Adjustments>Shadow/Highlight.

Use the shadow slider.... start at 0 and slide to right until the shadows are opened up to your liking. I won't get rid of them, but will lighten them.

[franko60]

You could also negative mask to reduce the contrast in the image. Being in Australia I do this a lot with outdoor images as the light here can vary as much as 4 stops and 10000K colour temp between shadows and highlights. Here's the steps:

1. duplicate layer
2. desaturate top layer
3. Invert the desaturated top layer
4. Change blend mode to soft light
5. Now here's the subjective part. Run gaussian blur on that top desaturated, inverted layer. The amount varies according to the image and to the degree of contrast in the image but it's generally well up in the 180+ pixel range (I use around 200-250 pixels for my 12mp Nikons). When you've got the best result you can, merge the layers. If it's too flat you can selectively add contrast using a curves layer.

It's a digital modification of an old darkroom technique. Hope it helps.

[UncleDannie]

Gee, Franko60, that is a neat trick. I live in Central California where clouds are a rarity in the summer. When we do see them, people often start to sacrifice chickens, trying to appease the Gods. This technique will go a long way in smoothing out the harsh contrasts.

[franko60]

Glad I could help. One of my points of difference against young photographers who've really only known digital is the digital simulation of traditional darkroom techniques, particularly in contrast control and image toning. Helps my images stand out from the competition (I often start with HDR when possible although with people that doesn't really work. You can tone map the raw file in something like photomatix, though.)