Dark Shots

[RISEN]

The following pictures were taken by my friend during New Year's Eve who happened to be drunk at the time. He screwed around with my settings and ended up ruining the shots. I decided to bring in photoshop to the rescue except that I'm not skilled in it. What adjustments can you guys recommend? I will take any recommending....playing with curves and contrast is not working out for me.

[tamlin]

*Checks calendar to make sure it's not April Fools Day*

Oh - you're serious?

I don't know how much experience you've had with Photoshop, but it seems that you've got the idea that it's some sort of magical cure-all. The brutal facts are that when it comes to photo-enhancing, PS can only work with the data contained within the digital image - in other words, you can only bring out details if they're there in the first place. Apart from the blurred red/orange area (I'm guessing a fireplace) and some vague grey smudges there is no detail to enhance in these images - it's just black.

You could try the following technique which is called Contrast Masking and can usually bring out details in an underexposed image, although I'm 100% certain it won't fix these images:

1. Duplicate your original image (Layer > Duplicate Layer)
2. Desaturate the duplicate layer (Image > Adjustments > Desaturate)
3. Invert the duplicate layer (Image > Adjustments > Invert)
4. Change the Blending Mode of the duplicate layer to Soft Light
5. Apply some Gaussian Blur to the duplicate layer (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur). Start with a small radius and gradually increase it until the detail starts to become clearer.
6. If the shadows have become a little wishy-washy, add a Levels adjustment layer at the top of the stack (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels) and boost the blacks.

[RISEN]

After messing with the curves, I was able to get some picture from the first shot; but it still needs more work. The picture is attached below.

[Man1c M0g]

Nice work Risen. Kinda looks spooky though - like a hooded figure sitting in front of the camera. If I'd taken that picture and I was sure it was an empty room I'd be soiling my pants by now.

[tamlin]

This is my best shot at the first image, using Contrast Masking (as described above), a Levels adjustment layer and Noise Ninja.

It still looks like a scene from a low-budget Japanese horror film, though...

[BladeRunnerGBS]

Ran a couple of attempts to help you but I concur with previous writer: Photoshop can only work with visible light spectrum data. Your photographer should be canned but in either case here is what I could "dig" out of the data

[tamlin]

That's a pretty good effort, BladeRunner (given the quality of the source material). Can you tell us what you did?

[RISEN]

I have been considering sending these pictures to Bert Monroy, I wonder if he will even reply. Good job BladeRunner, how long did it take you to achieve that result?

[willypt]

~I dont think anyone will ever get something from those pictures

[luckypictures]

have you considering smacking your friend's hands with a ruler like a catholic school nun for f-ing up your pictures?

[rushta]

I think youre friend...adjusted the speed and opening of your camera...youre object are dark the speed should increased and the opening should be big...