Lighting problem

[JenniferOwens]

I did an Easter shoot this weekend and I took a picture of this family and for some reason the lighting was off and it not only made the picture grainy but it also is really hard for me to lighten and get it looking right...can anyone help with this?
http://www.jenniferowensphotography.com/IMG_8379.jpg

[bgates87]

Here's a quick before & after of the results I got with just a Curves adjustment, I've also attached a snapshot of what the curve looked like. You lose some detail in the highlights (some in the sky but most importantly on the ladies' dresses), so if you are going to go the curves route you should probably use a Curves adjustment layer so you can control what areas the adjustment affects and how great of an effect it has.

[pixelzombie]

here's a very quick edit, used hl/sh and then a curve move...

[Steve13]

Dup background layer twice.
Set both copy layers to screen.
that's it for this one.

[JenniferOwens]

thanks guys! Mine ended up grainy looking!

[Southbay]

Curves, local contrast USM, Hue/Sat, that's about it. Kept it a bit dark and "in the shade". Oh yeah, took the pole out of his head.

[JenniferOwens]

haha omg I didnt even realize there was a pole there!

[Wolfman]

I used shadow/highlight, curves and added a little color to the sky.

[JenniferOwens]

not bad! thanks!

[Aleksman71]

My fix.
http://www.shrani.si/f/1Q/J9/tb09ADC/family.jpg

[JenniferOwens]

thanks Alek! That looks really good!

[Southbay]

Originally Posted by Aleksman71

My fix.

Nice work on the wires!

[chillin]

You could open it in camera raw & do the adjustments there.

[garibaldi]

hey do you have any more shots of the blonde?