Edit Specific Parts of Raw Images

[johnStock]

I'm wondering if there's any way to edit only part of a raw image. Specifically I'm looking to set two different exposure levels for different parts of the image. I'm using DPP, but have ACR. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

John

[LeeR]

No, for the most part that is not the way RAW works. You are taking raw, unedited information from your camera and telling your computer how to interpret that information. (Parametric adjustments) To some degree, this is the power of RAW, in that the original information is not change and can always be returned to its original state. Slowly, however, Adobe is beginning to introduce some area specific changes into the newer versions of ACR, but you would have to have CS5 and even then these tools have none of the power of doing the same thing in Photoshop. If you can't fix your problem with curves (something that is available in ACR) trying going over to PS, making multiple layers with different levels of brightness and using masks to determine which layers show through

[zona5101]

why wouldn't an exposure gradient work or the adjustment brush set for exposure. These are both Lightroom tools but I *think* adobe camera raw has the same controls?

[ravncat]

You`ve a couple ways - Lightroom has "Adjustment brushes" they are hiding up in the top , you can set them to exposure - and this will let you get what you want. As the above poster, I don`t know if they are in ACR - they might be.

Otherwise, you`ll have to do it the old way - process the image twice - once for each exposure setting that you`d like for the two areas - then blend them together via layers a gradient / hand painted mask between the layers

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by ravncat

You`ve a couple ways - Lightroom has "Adjustment brushes" they are hiding up in the top , you can set them to exposure - and this will let you get what you want.

+1

I use DPP for quick RAW edits or batch resizing since it's faster than Lightroom. I use Lightroom for more detailed edits on the RAW file where I need to use the adjustment brushes. For instance I have nice exposure on the background but the client's face is a bit dark so I'll use the adjustment brush to bring up the exposure on just their faces a little.

If you're on a Mac then there's Aperture. I believe they've always had that feature on the Aperture.