Tuba player

[clockdoc]

I attended a Memorial Day program at our VA Hospital and took a few shots of the volunteer city band. The band was under a tent and all the musicians wore white shirts. Those closest to the edge of the tent were much brighter than those in the center. What appealed to me about this shot was the reflection of the tuba player in his brass horn. I resorted to manual exposure for most of the shots I took. You can see how the "outdoors" area in sunlight got blown out while exposing for the area under the shade of the tent.
Sony F707, ISO 200, 1/200 sec., f/2.8.

[Digidave]

I can see why you like this shot. Very nice!!

[Sime]

I love what the tuba has done to the fellow in the reflection.. nice picture

[purplepixie]

Clockdoc, I love this shot :-) the reflections are fab! I attached a suggestion for a tighter crop and pushed the levels a tiny bit. (Hope you don't mind )

[jiminyClickit]

clockdoc,

If ever I do a self-portrait, it'll include a tuba. Flattering and fun. Well shot

[clockdoc]

Thanks to all for their kind words. I like what 'purplepixie' has done with the cropping and levels. I don't know that much about Photoshop, and levels in particular, having come from the 'old school' of film when all the manipulation was done in black and white with shooting , developing and printing. 8-)
Any suggestions on learning how to use the tool of Levels would be greatly appreciated. I have Photoshop 7.0.

[purplepixie]

Levels is one of the simplest and most effective tools in Photoshop.

When you open Levels you will see a histogram - it should be even if the photo is properly exposed and the contrast is correct (photo1). If not the histogram will be uneven (photo2).

To correct this - move the white triangle towards the start of the histogram on the right and/or the black triangle towards the start of the histogram on the left.

If the photo is generally too dark or light - move the grey triangle left (lighter) or right (darker).

On your photo I only adjusted the middle grey triangle to darken the image slightly (Photo3)