Damien Symonds

Hi Amanda, I think what you're doing is great, but yeah, darn tricky for masking! Here's an alternative that I played with, that doesn't require such (well, any) fiddly masking: Download the PSD

Hi Adam, Can you elaborate on the question a bit? What is your vision for this? Would you like to replace the sky with another sky? Or just modify the sky that's there?

That all sounds fine. It must be a video driver problem, as Brian discussed in this thread.

Hi Erin, could you do this for me?

Yeah, in most cases the "Standard" or "Normal" mode is the best. You definitely want one that's not too contrasty.

I'm so glad you posted. Imagine your embarrassment if you'd sent that tiny file to your client, and they'd printed it!!!!!!!!

Then you are not preparing this file for print, you're preparing it for client. In which case, you need to crop to 11:15 with no resolution. Exactly as the article said.

Wait, wait, wait. Are YOU printing this photo?

Ok, great. Now we're getting somewhere. Which lab do you use?

No, I mean, for what output purpose? Print? Web? Client?

No, 15 pixels per centimetre is the problem. For what purpose were you cropping?

Yes, absolutely. However, now that you've calibrated this new monitor, it might be time to get new test prints.

15 pixels per centimetre.

Right, that's what I was thinking too. Can you show me a screenshot of the settings you used?

It was so tiny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check its pixel dimensions in the Image Size dialog.

Ok, I can see that somewhere between the raw stage, and the Photoshop screenshot you showed me earlier, you cropped. This is REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY BAD. You must NEVER crop during editing. I don't care how much black the flash caused. https://www.damiensymonds.net/2011/09/cropping-tutorial.html This is the cause of your problem, for sure.

Thanks. It sure is awfully dark, isn't it? Overall, though, you're satisfied with the brightness?

Sorry, I meant the same photo as before.

This is really REALLY bad. Can you open the raw file in ACR, then show me a screenshot of the whole screen?

Ok, great. Could you post the baby photo you mentioned?

It might be, yes. It'll depend if there's any detail to work with once you've processed the raw file. Have you taken a look to see? A quick tweak of Exposure will tell you.

Hi Julie, which Spyder do you have?

No, that's not it. The problem is that your file is so tiny. Why is it so tiny?

Oh, yay! Download the PSD

Maybe this?