Damien Symonds

Oh. Yeah, if you don't have a base level of Photoshop knowledge, these fixes might be beyond you. They're not technically too difficult, but they do assume a working knowledge of layers and masks. Anyway, you can download this file and open in Photoshop: Download file here See if you can understand it. Otherwise, give me a couple of weeks, I guess. The edits shouldn't be more than $10-15 each. Add a few more dollars if there are things like sweaty skin to fix.

https://ask.damiensymonds.net/topic/20402-its-here-the-advanced-levels-class/

I'm afraid I'm too busy to take on any new editing work for a couple of weeks. Are you sure you wouldn't like to try it yourself? What's your level of Photoshop experience?

Ok, can you go to your Masks panel on one of these files and show me a screenshot of that too? Maybe the Density slider isn't at 100%?

Is this what you had in mind? It's the best I can manage.

This usually happens because you're painting with dark grey, not black. Press D then X to make extra sure you're painting with black, then try again.

Ok, yes, we might be able to make the first one work for us. Now, can you check and confirm that you have the rights to edit these photos?

Yes I know, but your hair isn't big enough in that photo. I want to see the photo where your good hair is the biggest available.

Oh boy, this'll be hard. What's the closest view you have of the good hair? I mean, do you have any head-and-shoulders portraits of yourself with your hair just the way you like it?

Hi @Nuria, please familiarise yourself with the posting guidelines.

Hi @Phoebe, may I see one or two of the problem photos?

It's an Advanced Levels Class question, actually. That class isn't quite ready yet, but I'm hoping in about a week.

No, it's not the Crop Tool. Read the instructions again: https://www.damiensymonds.net/2013/09/grabbing-700x700px-100-crop.html

That means your screen is too cool, yes?

Thanks. There's only negligible extra benefit in the raw file, so I'll persist with the version you first sent me. Download PSD

Whatever it takes. Gotta brighten it up. If you can't, maybe only edit during the day?

Leave them as you've adjusted them. Your normal light. The light you edit in. And yes, comparing images.

Yes and no. You can jiggle, sure, but then you have to calibrate again after the jiggling. It definitely is a problem. It sounds like your room light isn't bright enough?

Do you mind sending me the raw file so I can see if more is feasible? Send it via https://spaces.hightail.com/uplink/BellePhotography

This is the best I can manage with the file you've given me. I realise it's not perfect by any means, but an improvement?

Once you change it once, it should stick. Always remember to glance down at that link, though, in case it switches itself back.

The same way you loaded the first time, of course. Usually just double-clicking.

Yep, that's fine, go ahead and email them.

She's pulling your leg. Most of those photos have a wall behind the subjects, or at least trees. The ones that don't, look at the angle of the shadows - the sun is partially off to one side. More importantly, look at the catchlights in their eyes - there's definitely a light source in front of them. Reflector or flash, I don't know. @Brian and @Kim will have more wisdom about this.

No, you DEFINITELY can't use backlit photos for this look.