Group photo, lots of help needed

[SusanAshlea]

I took this picture yesterday at library dedication ceremony. It was taken quick and I didn't have a lot of time to try and compose the "perfect" picture. There is flash glare from the picture frame and from the glasses. Everyone is smiling and has their eyes open so I really want to salvage this if possible.

The only adjustment I made were in Camera RAW on CS3. I changed the white balance, and lightened it up a bit so you could see everyone in the picture. I also cropped it to get rid of the dead space (and the dreadful color walls). What I was not able to do was figure out how to get rid of the flash glare. Especially in the glasses, which is the most tricky to me. I can't figure out the right tool to work with to get the best end result.

Before:


After (aka what I have so far):


Any help/suggestions/hints/tips would be wonderful!

[shootoften]

If I were trying to remove the glare on the glasses and frame, I would use the "clone stamp". The frame should be fairly simple, but for the glasses I would zoom to at least 100%, and use small brush sizes to sample areas close to the glare. It may take quite some time, but with some patience and a lot of tedious work, I think you could get a decent result. Also, if you have an area of one of the pupils that isn't glared over, you can always sample and clone it to the other eye. That usually works pretty well.

Hope this helps, and good luck

[redthedunns]

I agree about using the cloning tool. I like the difference in the edit. It seems brighter and clearer.

[markov]

1. you could remove the glare just like what shootoften said.
2. you could lighten the right side of the frame to make an equal balance.

then it would be much better.
goodluck!

[Mr Guy]

As a quick fix, while you're playing with the clone tool (set to "dark mode" with something like 40% opacity), try using a fuzzy burn tool as well set to low level.

[SusanAshlea]

Thanks for the help.
I used the clone tool and found that the picture frame was pretty easy to fix. The glasses glare on the other hand, not so much. This is what I got when I hurriedly tried to fix it. Obviously some more work needs to be done, but I think it does look better.

[Famuyiwa Oyebola]

I was thinking if you wouldn't mind a black and white photograph cause this might help reducing the light spot effect.

[salvador1709]

I had a little to much time on my hands
temp.jpg

[SusanAshlea]

Originally Posted by salvador1709

I had a little to much time on my hands
Attachment 3987

Wow! That is great-thanks!