Help with blown out catch lights and cropping question

[KristinLauman]

<p>I'm using them to play around with post processing. I shot this in full sun because I wanted to get that fabulous blend of colors behind these guys. This sort of bokeh is one thing my crappy Tamron lens does very well. Unfortunately it doesn't do sharp. So the problem is that in the bright sun left a massive catch light and I've played around with the burn tool a bit, but I'm not sure how to back it off. I did increase the highlights a bit too, just because it helps the overall image to bring the highlights and darken down the midtones.<br>

<br /> Also, should I crop out the reflection to go with a square aspect?<br>

<br /> <img src="http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/46727/2020469010000212734S600x600Q85.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/38006/2412389520000212734S600x600Q85.jpg" alt="" /></p><div></div>

[tangibleimages]

<p>Depending on your experience with the cloning tool, it seems like it would be relatively simple to cover it up. That's what I'd do.</p>

<p>In the future, underexposing by even 1/2 a stop would make your job much easier here. I don't know if you did it or not, but shooting in RAW can sometimes also allow you to recover highlights that jpegs wouldn't.</p>

<p>best of luck.</p>

[KristinLauman]

<p>Thanks for that. I was thinking that removing the catch light would be a "bad" thing because I keep hearing people talk about getting the catch light "right." I'm pretty good with the cloning tool so I could pretty easily remove it.</p>

<p>I typically do shoot in raw, but I had to reset my 40D to factory defaults last week. I forgot to check my settings this morning, so my first 200 images were jpeg. :(</p>

<p> </p>

[KristinLauman]

<p>Removed catch light...<br>

<img src="http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/46510/2852329290000212734S600x600Q85.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[radiotyson]

<p>Unfortunately that clone job is rather obvious. It's all one color... brown. the back of the eye is multiple shades of brown. I would do it again, zoom in really really really close and do it again. Be patient.</p>

<p>Also, if you have a similar picture of this creature than you might be able to copy paste that texture into there... with some good blending... take your time.</p>

[samuel_lipoff]

<p>What a beautiful photo!</p>

[mike_hitchen]

<p>I like it with the reflection.</p>