Photo editing program: I'm just a 'low key' photographer. However I took quite a few pic at a wedding last week. HORRIBLY hot and I lost my train of thot. Usually I use the pop up...

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

I'm just a 'low key' photographer. However I took quite a few pic at a wedding last week. HORRIBLY hot and I lost my train of thot. Usually I use the pop up flash to 'stop' minor movement and give face good tonal quality. Well I forgot to pop up flash. While pic were in focus, the tonal quality of faces were dull and no matter what I did to try and adjustment, it was not.....much better. I am pretty basic in my knowledge of editing programs. But here is my question...is there an editing program that offers something like a 'flash' simulation on a slider? ....to correct?
Thanks

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Yes, almost every software program has "dodge and burn" capabilities. A brush tool will usually let you target an area where you can selectively alter exposure values.

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

thank you....not familar and have never had much help. I have been using Photoshop 11....much older version....and Faststone.... I will ck them both...

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

thanks again.....found it. I am not sure how to adjust for skin tones....probably need a book to help tho I've been using this program scantly for yrs. But I do have a better understanding of where to begin.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

How about the Lightroom Shadows slider.

Luminar Neo is free to use for a week, and it has Dodge and Burn. Below is a link to a video showing how to use it effectively - rather than straight off the Menu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xujelHdXjEU&t=739s

Others -

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=luminar+neo+dodge+and+burn

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Thanks Jerry, I will ck that out. I have heard good things about Luminar Neo but pretty sure it is well beyond me. I should probably even upgrade to a newer version of Photoshop elements....then buy a book. lol. Have you ever used Faststone? It does a good job for me and the screen size is basically full screen. In photoshop elements everyt hing is so small that I've had to resort to a magnifying glass on occasion.
Thanks again.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

deleted.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Post your question in the People Photography or Wedding Photography section, with photo example attached, or send Ed Shapiro a private message. You'll get more specific help from folks who do this for a living

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Thanks

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Chicopee wrote:

Thanks Jerry, I will ck that out. I have heard good things about Luminar Neo but pretty sure it is well beyond me. I should probably even upgrade to a newer version of Photoshop elements....then buy a book. lol. Have you ever used Faststone? It does a good job for me and the screen size is basically full screen. In photoshop elements everyt hing is so small that I've had to resort to a magnifying glass on occasion.
Thanks again.

There are many tutorials and reviews for Luminar on YouTube. No, I've never used Faststone.

13 Loc: I am only responsible to what I say..not what

For your basic photo editing software...try PT Photo or pay a monthly subscription and use Adobe Lightroom software.

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Ok….thanks for suggestions

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Chicopee wrote:

thanks again.....found it. I am not sure how to adjust for skin tones....probably need a book to help tho I've been using this program scantly for yrs. But I do have a better understanding of where to begin.

If using Photoshop, make an adjustment layer above your image:
Play with them, it might be the ones you need to get the look you wanted.

The following are some adjustment layers and what they (generally) do.

a. Exposure - adjusting this can brighten or darken the whole image
b. Curves - how you shape the line can balance or contrast the dark, medium & light areas.
c. Vibrance - control vividness & adjust saturation
d. Levels - simpler curves adjustment
e. Hue/Saturation - shifts & modify overall color(general white balance)
f. Color balance - adjust CMY/RGB individually (skin color can be changed here)

(Download)

Capn_Dave

If you shoot RAW you can easily adjust for flash White Balance In Lightroom in the adjustment module in the white balance box. Lightroom and Photoshop come together as a package so if the W/B trick doesn't work in Lightroom you can try what Wallen mentioned. You can make an action to cover the same adjustments to all the photos or apply to all feature

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Chicopee - download a free trial of Luminar Neo and check out the face adjustments in the portrait section of the software. It's very easy to use and may be all you need.