I'm embarassed, but could use some help...

[boxofrocks]

I had a quick group shot at the end of a corporate event this week. It was in a very dark room, so I used 2 SB800s--one on a Custom Bracket flash bracket, the other about 8 feet in the air on a stand in remote mode. I've been having trouble with one of them not exposing correctly, and this time it seemed to over fire.

The result was a blown out shot that I really need to save. I know, I should have re shot it, but before I realized it they dispersed. The only good news is I have the raw file. the link to the NEF is here. (for some reason, it says it's a tiff when I try to download it, but it opens right up in CS3 as a raw file).

The first shot is the jpeg straight from the camera, the second my attempt. If you think you can help me do better than this, I'd be really grateful. I'm not worried about the crop and perspective, just the color and highlights. If you happen to make adjustments, your best bet is probably the raw file. Surely someone can do better than me, or give me a tip or two. If you do, I'd love to see a full size of the results, or how you did it. I need to give them something better, and would appreciate any help.

Thanks!!!


Tom

[Wes]

Okay, I don't see anything wrong with the 2nd one when I look at it on my uncalibrated monitor at work.

[Dobick]

I took a shot and liked yours much better

[JohnT]

I'd like to give it a shot, but the file loads as a Quicktime file in my browser. Strange.

[boxofrocks]

you have to save it to disk, then open with CS2 or CS3 or another raw reader.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by boxofrocks

you have to save it to disk, then open with CS2 or CS3 or another raw reader.

OK. Thanks. Disregard my PM. :-)

[JohnT]

Here's my attempt. In ACR, I did a custom WB, moved Exposure down -0.30, Recovery slider all the way to 100, Brightness and Contrast to +50. Yours looks good though so I don't know if mine is any improvement.

[PeteQ]

I'll take a swing....

[bondarnes]

It looks good to me Tom. On my monitor it is just a tad contrasty, but I doubt your client will ever notice. I couldn't save the image without purchasing QuickTime.

[lhdvies]

I took a shot at this (hope you don't mind) and as you can see I'm not very good at this.
1st one is your unedited version and 2nd one is your edited one. I just played with levels a teeny bit and tweaked saturation a little. However as you can see, I couldn't do much with the hot spots.(Told you I wasn't very good)LOL



edited one



Oh Oh, If I had seen those other attempts I wouldn't have embarrassed myself.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

It looks good to me Tom. On my monitor it is just a tad contrasty, but I doubt your client will ever notice. I couldn't save the image without purchasing QuickTime.

I had the same problem. Right-click on the image and do a Save As... It will download.

[lhdvies]

Same 2 images as before with cyan filter applied





I'll quit now.

[DJ.]

Tom, I took a shot at it. I adjusted the perspective a little and attempted the normal workflow. Curves, levels, color, etc.

[AndrewCCM]

I think Pete's looks very good.

[PeteQ]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

I think Pete's looks very good.

Thanks Andrew. Sometimes less is more....