Photoshop Help - How to even out color?

[Daylon]

Hi all -

Not sure if this is the right forum to post this in, but I'll give it a shot -

How can I even out the blue in this shot? There's a bunch of backscatter and noise, and Id like it to be an even blue above and to the left of the wreck.

I've tried using a healing brush and layers and lots of blur tool + noise ninja, but there's got to be an easier way?

Any help appreciated! Thanks!

D.

[d2creative]

I dont think there is really an easy way. But what I would probably start with is making a rough selection getting close to the wreckage, copy and paste it to a new layer, and then do your experimenting there. Then you can create a layer mask and blend it into the bottom layer.

[12stones]

It'll take a little work, but all you need is the clone tool. Set it at a low opacity (I used 20%) and then work the image. Make sure you duplicate the layer first so it's non-destructive. Here's a 5-minute draft. I think this is what you were going for.

[SaSha]

You could use the Dust and Scratches filter to even out the blue and specs.
Duplicate a layer and apply Filter>Dust and Scratches to the top layer and erase away the areas to reveal the foreground.
Then use the clone tool on the Dust/Scratches layer at a low opacity if you still want to even it out more.
Adjust the layer opacity to your liking.

[CaptainTom]

Here's a quick way to get a different look. I'm not sure exactly what you are looking for.

PS
open image
duplicate layer
filter
lens blur
history brush.

this took three minutes and could be better with more care.

[Roy]

I have never used the dust and scratches filter. That looks great for this photo!

[swanny338]

and the psd file.... All I used was a curves adjustment layer and made the color from the top match the color to the bottom. Use the info palette to see how the numbers match up.
http://www.swanny338.com/wreckedit/WreckSide.psd


Also I wasn't sure what you were trying to do... But from your description this is what it sounded like.

[swanny338]

Used the remove scratch tool on a duplicate layer and masked what i wanted in and out.

[canoflan]

One other way you could try is take it into LAB mode, go to the a and b channels and run a blur filter on them to remove any color noise.

Then, run on the lightness channel the dust and scratches, or noise reduction.

Anything left will need the healing brush (don't every use the cloning tool unless you cannot get the job done with anything else). A good healing brush technique will render your processing unnoticable to anyone.

Lastly, you could use channels to mask, but this might get a little too complicated for this photo.

[Daylon]

I love this TPF thing - never used Dust and Scratches... results look great - thanks everyone for contributing!