Damien Symonds

DNG is absolutely fine. You're worrying about the wrong thing. In and of itself, DNG isn't your problem here. Your problem is that Adobe software won't recognise the edits that you made in DXO. So you'd need to export as jpegs from DXO in order to bring them home, and I bet you don't want to do that.

Oh gee, transplanting hair isn't easy.

Gosh, yeah, look at that! Did she have it in both ears? Do you have a photo of her other ear without it?

It doesn't have to be much. I think this is ok:

Well, the easiest way, as I see it, would be to increase mum's bust a bit. I'm not sure how you (or she) would feel about that option, though?

They look fine. No discolouration. May I have a link to your screen's specs?

This is absurd. Why are you subjecting your workflow to this nonsense?

Dust & Scratches filter at about 25/6 should do it. But you won't be able to allow the D&S layer to be masked too close to the hair. Near and in the hair, you'll need to do it manually, with cloning.

Add a Channel Mixer layer, go to the Blue Channel, and change from 0/0/100 to 0/90/0.

Then yes, can you post a couple of those files with people wearing black?

.... and the price for you to take it again is significantly reduced. http://www.damiensymonds.net/trainingraw-signup.html

Good. Now go ahead and do your Levels work. I suggest leaving the gradient layer on top, and doing all the Levels layers just underneath it.

http://www.damiensymonds.net/2014/07/proof-setup-working-cmyk-not-really.html

Ok, you've read Number 1 of the posting rules. Keep reading.

Oh, oops, you said black-and-white, didn't you?

Great! So simply add a Levels layer (or Curves would work too) and choose the black eyedropper from the Levels/Curves panel, and click just above her fringe (or "bangs" depending where you come from). Then add a black Solid Color layer and mask it on.

This will mean you'll lose the back of her head. Is that ok?

Which calibrator?

May I have a link to your screen's specs?

There sure is. It takes a bit of time to set up, but will save you SO much time in the immediate future.

First, add a Channel Mixer adjustment layer, check the "Monochrome" checkbox, then enter 0/+100/0 for the values. This will turn the whole photo black-and-white. Then add a Levels layer, and immediately clip it to the Channel Mixer layer (Ctrl Alt G). Enter these values: Red channel: 0/0.40/255 and 0/195 Blue channel: 0/0.80/255 and 0/245 Then return to the Channel Mixer layer and invert its mask to black, then paint over the shirt in those areas. Don't be too precise, big and soft is better at first. Then you'll need to be more precise painting with black to prevent the skin and buttons and little boats from turning green.

Right, so you don't have the 2012 sliders.

Sure, looks fine!