Half a face underexposed

When the light illuminates only one side of a face it can look as though the individual has only half a face.

Photoshop to the rescue.

Select the washed-out half face using the magic wand.

Click on Curves on the Navigation Pallette (see Oct 31 post below)…

Click on Curves in the menu (see post below)…

Balance the brightness and contrast.

Check that the border between the repaired section of image and original is smoothly merged.

If necessary, use the wand to select the overexposed side and darken using Curves.

iPhone 4S,  f2.8, 1/400 sec, 120213
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Genericizing a Face

Sometimes it is necessary to change the features in a face so the subject is not recognizable as a photographic likeness. Perhaps because you want to create a different effect or because the subject may not want to be recognized. 
Solution: Render the photograph as a drawing or painting. Sketch or watercolor? There are artistic options in Photoshop.




The subtler ones are cutout, dry brush, poster, watercolor.
Different focus, different accenture, the face can even be genericized.







(1) Photoshop > Filter > Artistic > Cutout (choose from the menu that opens)
(2) Adjust using Brush Size, Brush Detail, Texture from the palette at the right.

Blurring the background in Photoshop

Jack Sparrow was selling some knickknacks. Jack is clear enough but the market background is cluttered and distracting.

If you want to accent a foreground and diminish surrounding clutter, Photoshop offers several possibilities beyond just blacking out the background.

(1) In Photoshop (CS3), select the background you want to obscure or distort using the magic wand.
(2) To bring Jack into the picture better…

Go Filter > Artistic
(3) Using the Artistic Palette try different effects from Color Pencil to Watercolor.
(4) Experiment particularly with the Brush Strokes and Sketch options.

(5) Each filter option has adjustments, for underpainting, for example, you can adjust the brush size. Also the scaling, and relief of texture, as well as the light angle. 
Filter > Artistic > Underpainting was used; it obscured effectively without drawing attention to the technique as other options do (eg Neon Glow or Plastic Wrap.
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Photoshop Curves Tool

The photograph is shot against the sun. Too bright in some places, too dark in others. You can adjust it using the Brightness/Contrast controls in Photoshop.

But the Curves option is easier.

1. Open the Layers Palette. Click on the small black and white circle at the bottom.
2. Click on the Curves option.
3. A histogram will open. Position the mouse pointer on the curve and click and drag, experimenting until you find the right composition of light and dark.

You can also select parts of the picture to adjust using the magic wand tool. In the above photo I would keep the sky and the sea as they are and lighten from the shore down.

Even a rough iPhone image can be tweaked into visibility and even usability!