Damien Symonds

Your screenshot says it's looking for a jpeg. Jpegs can't have layers, only PSD files have layers. So yes, that's certainly a problem, though it doesn't explain the missing-ness of the files. Bridge is a free program now, so is available for Elements users too. So awesome. Let's ignore Organizer for now (and forever more) ... can you simply search your hard drive for the files?

Where you went wrong was using Organizer. That thing is so terrible. Please don't wait a moment longer to take the Bridge Class. It's only $10 and it will change your life. A message like this means that your file isn't where it used to be. This could be two scenarios: The file was on an external disk drive, and you don't have that drive plugged in any more; or The file was on your internal hard drive, but you've either deleted it, or moved it to another drive.

Add a Channel Mixer layer, and go to the Blue channel. By default its settings will be 0, 0, +100, 0. Change its settings to 0, +93, 0, 0. Then mask it to the glasses area. I'm fairly sure you won't have to be overly precise with your masking. That should take care of most of the problem immediately (magically!). And to be honest, it should enough. But if you wanted to tidy up the tiny bits of leftover glare, use the handyman method.

Did you ever manage to take a photo of people wearing light-coloured clothing so we could try this, @daisydoo?

Are you still there, @calliechinen?

It's absolutely the correct path, yes. Get the calibrator first, if you can't buy both at once. That way, you can calibrate your laptop screen and get cracking with editing right away.

I dunno if he was yanking your chain trying to make you buy a whole new computer; or maybe he's just a dunce. Those specs look good.

This looks absolutely fine. It probably wouldn't handle a massive 4K or 5K screen, but any normal screen it'll cope just fine. Do you have a screen (or even a TV) around the house that you can plug in and check?

In this context, no, three years shouldn't be an issue.

Gosh, this would only be true if your laptop was VERY old and VERY cheap. What kind of laptop do you have? Can you give me a link to details about it? The manufacturer's website or whatever?

Hi Callie, yes, it should be. For some reason your closeup doesn't match the whole photo. Could you take the 100% crop again, using this method? https://www.damiensymonds.net/2013/09/grabbing-700x700px-100-crop.html

Maybe it was this article? https://www.damiensymonds.net/cal_starthere.html

That's right.

When you look around the photo, can you find any areas that are more in focus than the eyes? Or is all the focus pretty much like this?

No no no. This smart object technique is done during output. All your edits should already be done, and safely saved.

https://www.damiensymonds.net/what2buy_cal.html

Yep, I think that looks plausible.

Yep.

Yes, this all sounds very normal. https://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/06/faq-help-my-raw-files-wont-open.html

Hi Ash, what error message does it give you when you try?

No, don't pick an aspect ratio at all, that's the point! Just crop your photos completely freeform - no shape or size imposed at all. Just crop however you like. Then, after cropping, go to File>Automate>Fit Image, and enter 2500 in both the fields (and click the "Don't enlarge" box to be safe) and press OK. Then sharpen for web, and save.

Great! Then I don't think you should limit yourself to 4:5 shape if you don't have to. Crop each photo exactly how it shows its merits best.

So what I need to understand is the purpose of this squarespace site. Is it a portfolio of all your best photos, to promote your work? Or is it a site where you provide proofs to your clients from their session, so they can place an order?

Well ... I don't know. Do you? From what your describe, it sounds like it might work regardless of consistent or inconsistent shape.

Ok, let's take this a step at a time. First ... ... why?