Damien Symonds

Ok, I think the first thing to say here is: Don't make the background too bright. The brighter the background, the duller the skin looks in comparison. So, when you're replacing the background, replace it with exactly the same colour that's already there. And that, of course, makes the hair masking easy. Do it like this.

May I see the original? Before the background fix, I mean?

I sure can. http://www.damiensymonds.net/trainingraw-signup.html http://www.damiensymonds.net/traininglevels1-signup.html

Are you talking about its colour?

Yep, Dust & Scratches for sure.

By the way, I urge you to consider renewing your Levels Class membership. If you re-join Deluxe, you'll automatically become a Premium Member, where we discuss whole edits (raw-to-Photoshop) in single threads. It's an amazing learning resource.

Well yes, this would be ok. Facebook allows files up to 2048 pixels, and you only need 1500 pixels for a 6x4 print. In fact, if you uploaded them at 2048 pixels, people could even print 5x7s if they wanted. Is the organisation aware that Facebook images are somewhat reduced quality? I guess it won't matter, eh? Do they want you to put a logo on the photos?

Correct. You'd change from "Working RGB - sRGB" to "Adobe RGB", of course.

Your Color Settings are correct, good stuff. You convert by going to Edit>Convert to Profile. (Do NOT use the "Assign Profile" function, it's a menace).

Definitely DO NOT USE THESE SETTINGS. Stick to North America General Purpose 2 as it should be. Yes, you can convert your images to Adobe RGB as part of the output process - either just before, or just after, sharpening for print.

Before you go any further, can we discuss this photo in the Raw Class? And PLEASE hurry up and see the announcement in the Levels Class.

Oh, interesting choice. Ok, I guess it can work ... For the fountain, you'll need to work patiently with a low-opacity brush for the masking, to make it blend plausibly.

May I see the whole photo?

Well, no, your prints are what they are. Then never change. Maybe your light is too dim and too warm?

Now, hang on. That sky looks MUCH too strong. Let's keep things plausible.

Yes, this is really important. If you don't see the issue in jpegs, then we can narrow it down to a raw problem, not a problem with your screen.

Hi Nilda, are you seeing this behaviour with raw files only?

Oh yes, it'll have to be another orange sky.

It's completely white!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can't get any more blown out than that.

Hi Cindy, have you read this?

Sorry, that's as good as it's going to get. But please be aware you're not out of danger yet. Not by a long way. When you resize for print or web, the problem might reappear. So make sure you've read this thoroughly.

I agree. But what else are we to do? The only alternative would be to mock up a personalised plate.

What??? I gave you the PSD!!!!

Well, for out-of-focus ones like that, you might be able to clone it out entirely. But where the grill is in focus, cloning would be prohibitively time-consuming, I'd say. But I guess it depends on how much time you can afford on this job.

Um, that's a different photo.