Anything left in these shadows

[Stephen_A]

Hi Everyone,
This site looks like a perfect place to cure myself of my relative ignorance of photo retouching. I'd like you knowledgeable folks to have a look at this. I've tried but failed a number of times to bring out details that appear lost in the shadows. I feel that there is nothing to bring out. Do the other members feel that way?
Here's a link to a slightly large image:
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?wvr127zhw57ee9z

Thanks in advance for your help.

Stephen.

[0lBaldy]

Stephen, welcome back to RetouchPRO! Have you upgraded from Elements 2 yet?

If so then there might be more details available for you to recover... depending on the software you are now using...

[Stephen_A]

Hi OlBaldy,
Thanks for your reply. No I regret to say I haven't upgraded from Elements 2 yet. Perhaps this is the job that leaves me with no excuse.

[0lBaldy]

I am sure the newer versions of Elements along with the add ons from Richard Lynch can accomplish most of what you want to do...
Seeing as I know absolutely nothing about Elements, I will leave it up to Richard or others who are much more knowledgeable about your program to help you extricate all the detail that is available... maybe the 'Photoshop Elements Help' Forum might be a better place to ask for help... Best of luck!!

BTW
(GIMP is a free download and very Good also!... although it may be sort of intimidating at first.. it is just like all prograns..just hang in there... the more you use it the easier it becomes)

[Chain]

As 0lBaldy showed there is something left in the shadows - at least on the wall. But among those sticks and what could be a kid in a red sweater there is nothing...

Unfortunately I don't use Elements so can't guide you there, but shadow/highlights in Photoshop did the trick, as well as a Curves layer with a mask.

[Juergen D]

This is done entirely in Elements 2. 3 Screen layers that are masked with help of a Levels Adjustment layer, some painting on an Overlay layer (50% gray) and a bit of Contrast adjustment.

Juergen

[Stephen_A]

OlBaldy, Chain and Juergen,
Thank you very much for going to the time and trouble and answering and giving such helpful and practical advice. I can do a number of fixes but 'curves' continue to baffle me entirely. I'll just keep banging away at it, and I've noted the 'Photoshop Elements Forum.'

Thanks again everyone.
Stephen.

[Flora]

Hi Stephen,

I'm moving your Thread to the Photoshop Elements Help Forum ...