Post-Processing Question - The Eyes

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.35mm (More info?)

As some of you know, I was out in San Diego two weekends ago shooting my
sister's wedding (formals only - no reception). Everything was shot
outdoors on an overcast day with flat lighting. I used a silver reflector
for add a little sparkle. What I failed to notice was that there were some
significant shadows under my sister's eyes in a few of the shots. So, I
need to take care of them in PS.

Here's my question. What plugins do you all like to use for dealing with
puffy eyes and shadows around the eyes?

To see the images, go to:

http://www.pbase.com/walthanks/mosleybreiding

But remember, I hadn't shot a wedding in 25 years and these are unretouched
proofs.

Thanks!

Walt

-- Hanks, SPFA
Primerica Financial Services
410-370-7855
443-705-0203 Fax

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.35mm (More info?)

Walt Hanks <walthanks@comcast.net> wrote:

> As some of you know, I was out in San Diego two weekends ago shooting my
> sister's wedding (formals only - no reception). Everything was shot
> outdoors on an overcast day with flat lighting. I used a silver reflector
> for add a little sparkle. What I failed to notice was that there were some
> significant shadows under my sister's eyes in a few of the shots. So, I
> need to take care of them in PS.
>
> Here's my question. What plugins do you all like to use for dealing with
> puffy eyes and shadows around the eyes?

No need for a plug-in. Just use an effects layer to selectively change
the levels of your image. This is much easier to tweak and undo than a
dodge.

Open the image. Make an effects layer for Levels. Tweak the midtone
until you get the brightness you want under the eyes; 1.4 is probably a
good place to start. Click OK, click on the effect layer's layer mask,
select all, hit D, then delete. Your effects layer's mask is now full of
black, causing the brightening effect to go away. Hit D again, and you
can use a paintbrush tool to paint the brightness back where you want
it. Finalize the mask and optionally tweak the layer levels and opacity
to get exactly what you want.

HTH.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.35mm (More info?)

"Walt Hanks" <walthanks@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Vvqdnbt1mue_QTHfRVn-iw@comcast.com...
>
> "Paul Mitchum" <usenet@mile23.c0m> wrote in message
> news:1gy1ycl.18nhs8ihr60lcN%usenet@mile23.c0m...
>> No need for a plug-in. Just use an effects layer to selectively change
>> the levels of your image. This is much easier to tweak and undo than a
>> dodge.
>>
>> Open the image. Make an effects layer for Levels. Tweak the midtone
>> until you get the brightness you want under the eyes; 1.4 is probably a
>> good place to start. Click OK, click on the effect layer's layer mask,
>> select all, hit D, then delete. Your effects layer's mask is now full of
>> black, causing the brightening effect to go away. Hit D again, and you
>> can use a paintbrush tool to paint the brightness back where you want
>> it. Finalize the mask and optionally tweak the layer levels and opacity
>> to get exactly what you want.
>>
>> HTH.
>
> Thanks everyone. Isn't it amazing how we each use a different technique
> to accomplish the same thing? I'll be trying each one out over the next
> couple of days and deciding which I prefer. Thanks especially to Al for
> his very detailed tutorial on masking.
>
> Oh, and thank for no one saying "use a fill flash, stupid!"
>
Bit late for that me thinks, did you anyway?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.35mm (More info?)

Paul Mitchum wrote:
>
> No need for a plug-in. Just use an effects layer to selectively change
> the levels of your image. This is much easier to tweak and undo than a
> dodge.
>
> Open the image. Make an effects layer for Levels. Tweak the midtone
> until you get the brightness you want under the eyes; 1.4 is probably a
> good place to start. Click OK, click on the effect layer's layer mask,
> select all, hit D, then delete. Your effects layer's mask is now full of
> black, causing the brightening effect to go away. Hit D again, and you
> can use a paintbrush tool to paint the brightness back where you want
> it. Finalize the mask and optionally tweak the layer levels and opacity
> to get exactly what you want.


Thanks, I'm still clumsy with masks, that was a good explanation. What
does the "D" do? It seems to work without that.

--
Paul Furman
http://www.edgehill.net/1
san francisco native plants

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.equipment.35mm (More info?)

You work making loans and were too cheap to hire a photographer for the
wedding?

If I were out of the making loan business for 25 years, I hope I would
have sense enough to go to a bank for a mortgage.

The advances in photography from 25 years back: fill-flash works in
making outdoor images now.
= = =
Walt Hanks wrote:
> As some of you know, I was out in San Diego two weekends ago shooting my
> sister's wedding (formals only - no reception). Everything was shot
> outdoors on an overcast day with flat lighting. I used a silver reflector
> for add a little sparkle. What I failed to notice was that there were some
> significant shadows under my sister's eyes in a few of the shots. So, I
> need to take care of them in PS.
>
> Here's my question. What plugins do you all like to use for dealing with
> puffy eyes and shadows around the eyes?
>
> To see the images, go to:
>
> http://www.pbase.com/walthanks/mosleybreiding
>
> But remember, I hadn't shot a wedding in 25 years and these are unretouched
> proofs.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Walt
>
> -- Hanks, SPFA
> Primerica Financial Services
> 410-370-7855
> 443-705-0203 Fax