Can this photo be fixed???

[wade_thompson]

<p>Got washed out due to an inadvertent change in settings on a D300, from A prio to Manual. Ouch!<br>

I have made progress but is it a lost cause???<br>

<img src="http://www.brinkleys.org/users/tsl/Files/WDE_9182%20WO2S.JPG" alt="" width="1024" height="680" /></p>

[wade_thompson]

<p>Here is an updated photo showing some progress....<br>

<img src="http://www.brinkleys.org/users/tsl/Files/WDE_9182cxS.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="608" /></p>

<p> </p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>Do you have a way of making the original NEF file available? There should be substantially more latitude there, in terms of recovering the highlights, and not having to saturate those clothing colors so much when dealing with other areas of the image. </p>

[phule]

<p>[[Do you have a way of making the original NEF file available?]]</p>

<p>Indeed. This seems like an entirely recoverable image if shot RAW. </p>

<p>Also, as long as you're editing, might I (be so bold as to) suggest you clean up the spots on the dress on the right? </p>

[wade_thompson]

<p>This was in the series of photos that I DID NOT shoot as raw. :( Go figure...</p>

<p>Yes, thanks on the spots. < It was raining off and on and so that is water drips from trees.</p>

[StuartMoxham]

<p>Well with just the JPG file I would do something like this...</p><div></div>

[StuartMoxham]

<p>or plain B&W</p><div></div>

[StuartMoxham]

<p>Or take advantage of the lost highlights and do something like this.</p><div></div>

[Matt Laur]

<p>Great work on the duotone, Stuart.</p>

[StuartMoxham]

<p>Thanks Matt, I like DuoTones remindes me of split toning. I use 3 different tones on this one so I guess it is a tri tone. Much less smelly than B&W paper toners.</p>

[RobertChura]

<p>Selections and curves</p>

[RobertChura]

<p>Here is the image</p>

<div></div>

[jtk]

<p>Matt Lauer's version is the only one that approaches acceptable. The rest exaggerate the problem. </p>

<p>Why not do a little dodging/burning? Lightroom, Photoshop etc? </p>

[wogears]

<p>I gave it a Trendy Wedding Look.</p><div></div>

[RobertChura]

<p>Well, since Matt never submitted one and mine does look to contrasty, I will try again.</p><div></div>

[wade_thompson]

<p>Robert C., How did you do that?</p>

<p> </p>

[kdpowell]

<p>Stuart, your Duotoned is fantastic and Robert your latest attempt looks much better. What software were you using?</p>

[wade_thompson]

<p>looks like the outline of all the ladies was selected and deselected so that the foreground and background could be adjusted separately. good idea.</p>

[StuartMoxham]

<p>And another version.</p><div></div>

[henryp]

<p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/5731170900_9b48b1f83f.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="332" /><br /> I'm probably the least skilled here. I opened the original on Photoshop Elements ver 6. I used the ENHANCE options including SmartFix, AutoLevels, AutoContrast and then Adjust Lighting -> Brightness/Contrast and dragged the sliders until it looked better. Took me less than 3 minutes.</p>

<p>Far from perfect but quick and easy and IMO better than the original. YMMV.</p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

[mike_stemberg]

<p>I had a bit of a 'play too... Am attaching an image too large to see inline...</p><div></div>

[StuartMoxham]

<p>Here is one without the red dress blowing out.</p><div></div>

[RobertChura]

<p>I used CS4. I used selections and masks to adjust color balance and saturation. Cloned part of the yellow dress and dodged the faces.</p>

[JRCrowe]

<p>Here is my attempt. Always good practice for when it happens to me. </p><div></div>

[jacob_way]

<p><img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f218/WeAreAll2d/00YkGa-359525584.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Im not a big editor but heres my attempt</p>