Fixing my studio lighting issue with PS

[vidar42]

I recently did some shots in the studio, and using the high-key photography techniques, my white background didn't look as brilliant as I had thought. Fortunately I shot in RAW format. I'm in the post-processing phase right now and trying to clean up the background a bit. I find if I overexpose using the RAW converter, it bleaches out the subjects too much. Is there an easy way to lighten up the backdrop without affecting the subjects too much? I took a lot of photos that turned out great, except for the background issue.

Any advice right now is greatly appreciated as I want to get these photos to my friends asap.

Shane

[OsmosisStudios]

Use the Dodge tool in photoshop set to Highlights only, and try 25% strength. This, of course, after you get the image out of the RAW converter: Expose for the subject. The background should come out of the RAW converter grey, or partially white. Just dodge the rest.

[vidar42]

Great suggestion! Thanks. It's working like a charm for me. Much easier than painting white over the areas, or duplicating the layers, blowing out the one layer, then masking out the area that I want properly exposed. Thanks again!

[zona5101]

you could also select by color range & paint bucket in white...