Dark Eyes - Help

[12stones]

Okay, so I know I should have thought of this in camera and used a flash and/or reflector, but this was a pretty impromptu shot and I'd like to lighten the area around her eyes. How would you go about this? I've tried to use adjustment layers to brighten/lighten them and then us a layer mask, but it makes her look evil. Any help and instruction would be greatly appreciated.

[monique_evette]

Maybe try using the clone tool set to lighten at like 12 to 15% and work around the area and then adjust the curves ever so slightly?

[Fotographie-Junge]

Try using the dodge tool, but be careful as it can be noticed that it has be brightened if you dont go about it little by little...just a suggestion

[boomerd35]

I do everything with adjustment layers. But if you tried that and didn't like it, you can try making a duplicate layer (or merge visible to a new layer if you already have multiple layers). Then use the shadow/highlight function, insert a layer mask and you can selectively remove the shadows from the eye area.

[tjones0214]

I'd go with Monique's suggestion first. Do your cloning adjustments on a new blank layer. Set you clone tool to sample all layers. That way you have total control over the opacity of your corrections as well as any other thing you could do to a layer. The other approach (simpler) is to duplicate the layer and change the blending mode to Soft Light. Alt-click on the layer mask button to create a hide all mask. Now you can "paint in" the lighter areas you want via the mask. You have opacity control here too. If you want to fine tune with with a dodge/burn, don't use the dodge/burn tool. Create a new layer and set the blending mode to soft light. Fill the layer with 50% gray. You should see no change. No grab your brush tool and set the opacity of the tool to 5%. Paint with white to lighten or black to darken. The effect is subtle, but it's there. Again you have more control here because what you're doing is on a layer unto itself. Best of luck.

[luis_relampago]

Duplicate the BG layer and make a Curves adjustment layer and bump it up to the desire brightness, after that hide with black the mask of the adjustment layer and paint with a white soft brush at a very low opacity under her eyes make sure you paint on the black mask when finish flatten the image. Make a new blank layer and use the clone stamp tool to retouch the bags under her eyes and it should look pretty good.
you will get something like this but better cause the high resolution.

[12stones]

Thanks all. This helped a lot.

[PhotoChicken]

This is why this is the best photo forum I have ever visited. Most of the time you would normally have gotten as your first ten replys you should have used a flash or a reflector even though you posted that you knew this. Great replys guys

[erisian pope]

Originally Posted by PhotoChicken

This is why this is the best photo forum I have ever visited. Most of the time you would normally have gotten as your first ten replys you should have used a flash or a reflector even though you posted that you knew this. Great replys guys

Amen to that! The culture here really is top notch.

[gmarblestone]

next time try using a flash or a reflector

G

Originally Posted by PhotoChicken

This is why this is the best photo forum I have ever visited. Most of the time you would normally have gotten as your first ten replys you should have used a flash or a reflector even though you posted that you knew this. Great replys guys

[CarolynM]

I'm new to Photoshop (using CS2) and I am reading through here to pick up your "how to do" tips. I know how to duplicate the BG layer and I can make adjustment layers. If I use the select a color range selection tool and keep that color selected before making an adjustment layer, then it makes a mask (I think) on that adjustment layer.

Can some one tell me how you insert a layer mask on an adjustment layer?
How to make a mask on a duplicated BG layer?
How to create and use the black mask and white mask that has been suggested in this thread?
Please advise; I'm a bit lost in understanding the tips in this one.
Thank you!
CarolynM

[m_mphotography]

Have you tried using the History Brush in CS2. Set the opacity to about 20%. I use this to lighten the dark circles under the eyes....hope it works.

[rockin-photos]

Originally Posted by CarolynM

I'm new to Photoshop (using CS2) and I am reading through here to pick up your "how to do" tips. I know how to duplicate the BG layer and I can make adjustment layers. If I use the select a color range selection tool and keep that color selected before making an adjustment layer, then it makes a mask (I think) on that adjustment layer.

Can some one tell me how you insert a layer mask on an adjustment layer?
How to make a mask on a duplicated BG layer?
How to create and use the black mask and white mask that has been suggested in this thread?
Please advise; I'm a bit lost in understanding the tips in this one.
Thank you!
CarolynM

There are some very good "visual" tutorials on THIS website. I don't know if it has answers to all your questions, but it has answers to many. Hope this helps.