Help, please - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/10/2006 07:49:51 AM · #1

During the Free Study Challenge I received lots of comments about the vignetting and how it spoilt a good picture. Please can anyone tell me how best to remove it (most of it is not vignetting, it is caused by the headrests in a car, between which I took the picture!). Many thanks in advance.

deapee

Kodak V803

09/10/2006 07:53:51 AM · #2

If it's caused by an object, the only way to fix it would be to re-shoot, eliminating that object.

If it's caused by your lens, it's usually so slight that adjusting levels or curves at the corners of your image will fix it. If it was shot in RAW, there is an option to fix vignetting while processing.

Ultimately, whenever you're fixing vignetting, all you're doing is brightening those pixels that are the furthest toward the corners. That will work fine if it's just a bit darker than the rest (ie. most vignetting). In your example, they are black objects that are actually in your frame, thus not fixable, unless you cropped a smaller picture out of the middle of your photography.

09/10/2006 07:57:50 AM · #3

Originally posted by deapee:

Thanks. As I said it was a hard object, which is why I left it in the picture. I felt that cropping would have made for an even worse result! IMO.

09/10/2006 10:01:17 AM · #4

Assuming that you are asking because you'd like to improve this image for your own purposes, I did a speedy edit to show you a technique that you can use to deal with this type of problem. The steps I used might not be legal for challenge images. But I'm guessing you'll be looking closely at your background next time you shoot for a challenge.

I did not address the blown highlight on forehead because that would have taken a long time and would probably look strange. Best to look for better lighting conditions to avoid that.

As I always say...Hopefully some PS pros will pitch in with much better advice than I can give.

jeannybeany

Canon PowerShot SD200

09/10/2006 10:29:11 AM · #5

Photoshop!!!

honestly though... i didnt even notice them!!! my eye just gravitates to the subject!!! I like the photo period!! ;-)

09/10/2006 10:56:27 AM · #6

Originally posted by jeannybeany:

Photoshop!!!

honestly though... i didnt even notice them!!! my eye just gravitates to the subject!!! I like the photo period!! ;-)

I agree! It's a very interesting image; and you've captured the details and textures of his face nicely.

09/10/2006 11:56:29 AM · #7

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

Thanks. Did you just use cloning?

09/10/2006 12:05:09 PM · #8

Originally posted by Shy Clicker:

Thanks. Did you just use cloning?

Here are the steps I used:
Layers
cloned out headrest on BG layer
gaussian blur
On top layer erased vignetted areas
Burned whites of eyes
contrast mask
unsharp mask

I did the cloning and blurring in a duplicate layer, behind the original. Then I used the eraser tool on the top layer to expose the background.

09/10/2006 12:07:20 PM · #9

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

Originally posted by Shy Clicker:

Thanks. Did you just use cloning?

Here are the steps I used:
Layers
cloned out headrest on BG layer
gaussian blur
On top layer erased vignetted areas
Burned whites of eyes
contrast mask
unsharp mask

I did the cloning and blurring in a duplicate layer, behind the original. Then I used the eraser tool on the top layer to expose the background.

Thanks again. I'll give it a go myself!