Figuring out Photoshop-- help, please!

[myeyes]

I am still learning the basics in post-processing and could use some help by way of recommendations of books or tutorials that are helpful. Specifically, I am looking for information about how to process photos like the one I have attached. I would like to lighten his face somewhat without changing the overall lighting in the photo.

Any thoughts and/or recommendations would we greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brooke

[Barbara V]

What a beautiful child; precious photograph. Sorry, can't help ya on the PS stuff.

[myeyes]

Thank you for the kind words, Barbara!

[teaking]

You need to search for tutorials on masking or layer masks. It masks off the area you are working on and only applies changes to that area in your case it will only lighten the face area.

To lighten the area there are many methods but as you are just learning maybe stay simple and use brightness and contrast adjustment. Hopefully someone who works in photoshop can give you more information

[RichardTaylor]

I feel a good reference for photographers is one of the Scott Kelby books.

"the Adobe photoshop CS4 book for digital photographers"
Or similar depending on the version of Photoshop you have.
The Publisher is New Riders.

For the pic above I would, and I am no expert, - and this is quick & dirty.

(1) Duplicate the background (the picture) to a new layer.
(2) Layer mode to screen (this lightens the whole picture)
(3) reduce the opacity to suite.
(4) Reveal the layer mask
(5) Fill it with black - Black masks changes)
(6) Change the colour to white.
(6) Paint, using a brush, using white over the mask where you want the changes to show through (white reveals the layer), mainly the parts of the child's face.

When you are happy flatten the image.

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Edit:
Here is tute where it is done differently but the same principals apply.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/photosh...5/?search=mask

[edbayani]

in photoshop, the easiest way to do this is by using the quick mask. press Q to enter quickmask. choose the brush tool and set it to the softest at 100% opacity. diameter of brush at 80 pixels. brush from the center of the face and carefully cover all the face. change the diameter of the brush to 40 pixels and brush the arm. press Q again to exit quick mask. if you want, press ctrl H to hide the selection so as not to distract you. go to levels and move the middle slider to the left and when you think it is light enough, press ok and don't forget to deselect.
this is optional, if you want to darken the bg, press ctrl J to duplicate the layer and set the blending mode to multiply, this will darken the light bg including the boy. click on the layer mask icon at the bottom of the layers pallette and again with a soft brush, 100% opacity brush with black the little boy. this will erase the image of the boy and show the image of the boy in the original layer that is lighter. flatten and save.
here is the image. i hope you can use this.

[RichardTaylor]

@ edbayani
Thanks for the tip on the quick mask. I hadn't tried that before.

[edbayani]

you're welcome, richard. i use the quickmask often, as a selection tool also, to vary the edges (sharp to soft) and to vary the opacity

[JAD40]

I don't have photoshop in front of me, but this is how I would do it. I would create a new layer, and set it to soft light, and 50% gray. They with a paint brush set to white, and a low opacity I would paint the childs face lighter.

[myeyes]

Wow-- you are all a wealth of information! I really appreciate the help-- I can't wait to get back to the photo and see what I can do.