Damien Symonds

Well, why don't you try it and see? Add a Levels adjustment layer, and move the white Output slider on each of the three channels thusly: Red 210 Green 130 Blue 235 Then mask it very carefully to the dress.

Ok, I think I understand. Could you tell me an approximate colour (RGB values) that you'd like the pink to be?

That's right. If 90 is still too bright, calibrate again at 80. If that's still too bright, try 70. If 70 is still too bright, there's DEFINITELY a problem with your room lighting. Let's not worry about that for the moment. We'll concentrate on getting the brightness correct first.

When you say "painting" ... do you mean virtual painting with software?

So that we don't get bogged down any longer, let's pretend this is ok, and press on with the glasses issue. But you have a BIG problem. PLEASE don't wait any longer to take the Raw Class, I beg you. Now can you give me some 100% crops so I can see the glasses problems close up?

Wonderful!!! Now can you see how dark your photos are? Go ahead and edit them properly, then post them again for me.

Never mind. For now, can you just compare some pro lab prints to their print files in Photoshop, to make sure your screen's brightness is EXACTLY correct?

We'll get to that, don't worry. I'm here for the next 13 hours. Check your calibration first and let me know how it looks.

Not sure if you saw this question.

Are you sure your monitor calibration is ok? How long since you compared your screen to your pro lab prints?

This is grossly underexposured. You must crank that Exposure up in raw.

Once your photo gets to Photoshop, the data is no longer high quality raw data, it's just plain ol' pixel data. Photoshop is suitable for minor brightness tweaks, but overall brightness MUST be corrected in raw where the data quality is so much more robust.

Oh, no no no no no no no. That's VERY bad. You must do your raw processing properly.

How did it go, @cathm?

No, not at all. Just do it exactly the same way you do when preparing any other photo for print, exactly as you learned in the Sharpening Class.

Well, yeah.

Yeah, that's a good point. Acrylic (with increased saturation) will look amazing, colour-wise. ... but it would be pretty unforgiving, quality-wise.

How about choosing canvas? That would be a bit more forgiving.

Oh, wonderful. Ok, go ahead and do your raw editing on these photos, then post them again for me.

Wishing you and your family peace and healing, @Melissalile. And don't forget I'm eager to see your photos when you're ready.

To avoid any glare sneaking in under the calibrator and ruining the readings.

Night is fine.

Yep. So go ahead and calibrate again, with a lower brightness target. If it was 100 last time, try 90 this time.

Hi @StudioPopJess, yes, I think I can help you with those. Did you shoot raw?

How far through the class are you so far, @SnapbeanPhotography?