Fix colour blur/flare in foreground

[gedmcmahon]

Hi Damien,

I've been away from photography/editing for a while but working on some personal use shots. This one has me stumped. I've tried a number of methods but am just not getting it. I'm hoping you can assist, if this image qualifies.

The foreground blur is from someone's raised hand right in front of me as I took the shot, and I'd like to try remove/fix it.

I've tried Color blend modes with dodge and burn technique, and I've tried channel mixing, but all to no avail. I always leave an off-colour imprint.

Hope you can help, and I hope the posted image is sufficient (SOOR).

Cheers

Edited July 23, 2018 by gedmcmahon
Clarify SOOR

[Damien Symonds]

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?

[Damien Symonds]

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

[gedmcmahon]

Looks great, thank you. A million times better than my efforts, and perfect for my needs. I look forward to seeing the method to unravel the mystery I couldn't solve.

Raw file has been sent.

 

[Damien Symonds]

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

Download PSD

[gedmcmahon]

Damien, I appreciate this. Thanks.

I'm trying to break down how you went about this, for my own learning. There are 3 masked levels layers. Can you explain how you managed to restore the original colours just from layers? Or am I missing something? Maybe this is this a course content question? I'm about to enrol in channel mixer.

Ged

 

[Damien Symonds]

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

[gedmcmahon]

Great! I'm signing up to that too, then.

[pankajkumars]

Thanks.

[Damien Symonds]

On 7/24/2018 at 4:04 PM, gedmcmahon said:

Great! I'm signing up to that too, then.

It's done, mate.

[Graham]

I downloaded the PSD but could not see on the first levels layer what changes you had made apart from the brushing on the mask. I must be missing something.

[Damien Symonds]

2 minutes ago, Graham said:

I downloaded the PSD but could not see on the first levels layer what changes you had made apart from the brushing on the mask. I must be missing something.

Did you take a look at each of the Red, Green and Blue channels?

[Graham]

No. OK back I go and have another look. Done that, but I have difficulty understanding the reasoning behind the choice of levels for each of the colours. Is that covered in the levels classes?

 

[Damien Symonds]

The Advanced Levels Class, actually.