Dark & Mysterious Doesn't Work on a Smiling Baby

[RebelScum]

Okay, I know, I know...Use a reflector next time! But since I didn't use a reflector, I have a shadow on the side of this baby's face, and I'm thinking dark and mysterious just doesn't work for a baby.
Can this be saved in PS? I have CS2. I have no experience with masking or layers. The post production work I've done on this image is the smart sharpen mask, whiten the eyes, and burn the lashes just a shade.
Any other suggestions are more than welcome - either post-production or any general comment or criticism. I'm trying to sharpen my photography skills using my babies as subjects.
EXIF:
Shutter: 1/80 Sec
400 ISO
F5.6

[ReenaG]

well I don't think it's that bad as it is....anyhow, how about as a B/W image? then the 'dark side' won't be as much as a standout as it is in color?

[SusanH1970]

I agree with Reena that this would be lovely as a BW. I had a play, if you don't mind. Let me know if you want me to take it down.

In ACR I bumped the exposure just the tiniest bit. Opened in CS2, did a shadows/highlights adjustment (I think shadows around 35%?), burned the background, then gradient map and a levels adjustment. 30 second fix.

[RebelScum]

Holy cow, I love it now! Where is the shadows/highlights adjustment? Is it a slider, or how does it work? I hadn't even considered B/W, but I really like it! If you start adjusting the shadows/highlights will it start tinkering with the color as well? Hmm...you've given me a lot to experiment with. Thank you both so much for your input!

[ReenaG]

very nice Susan!! that shadow/highlight adjustment really lighten the shadow on the side of the face. I love it!!

[SusanH1970]

Glad you like it! Thank you both. Rebel, in CS2, click on adjustments, then go to shadows/highlights. There are two sliders for each one.

It does make the color version look funky, but since I knew I was going to convert it to BW, I didn't care LOL.

[RebelScum]

I did some playing around with it last night and came up with a reasonably colored portrait where the shadow wasn't as noticeable. I'm so glad you were able to tell me about the shadows tool! I don't even come close to utilizing PS the way it was meant to be used. I'll probably need to start prowling the tutorials and learn how to use it!

[SusanH1970]

YouTube and other sites have TONS of video tutorials - just google "CS2 tutorial" and tons of stuff will come up. I learned how to do a lot by googling "How do I (fill in the blank) in CS2". I also learned a lot by just playing - seeing what the effects were of all the different tools. It's fun to just sit and play sometimes, get the knowledge in your head, and then later be able to apply it so it really enhances a photo.