Dark Circles

[Phil]

One for the PS experts.

 

I took this shot of our daughter today and I'm not happy about the dark circles under her eyes. I've tried many ways to improve their appearance without success, any ideas?

 

I realise many will argue that is the way she is but if they could be toned down I'm sure it would be an improvement.

 

[FUJI]

Send me the RAW file Phil and I will have a go.......if you tell me how to swap RAW files that is.....otherwise, you could have can other go yourself using my brushes and layers method......

A Cracking portrait by the way.

FUJI

[Guest DaveW]

You should have used a reflector when taking it Phil.

 

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/05/17/how-to-use-a-reflector-to-control-natural-light/

 

"Having a light source above the subject has created problems we haven’t dealt with yet. A higher light source creates shadows under the eyes, giving the appearance of dark circles, which is never flattering. It also creates a bit of a shadow under the chin and nose."

 

http://www.bigstockphoto.com/blog/lighting-basics-for-portrait-photographers/

 

Removal in post processing:-

 

http://digital-photography-school.com/the-fast-way-to-remove-dark-circles-under-eyes-in-photoshop

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTvFOHicQ9w

 

Is the pointing on the brick wall really blue though Phil? The under eye shadows when the image is enlarged are also blue, so you seem to have a blue cast on the image?

[Phil]

Thanks both. FUJI, I've tried everything I can think of so I'll put a TIFF together and wing it your way, probably later this evening.

Dave, you could be right about the colour cast so I've removed as best I can.

This is a different crop and also another portrait to show the circles are actually there.

 

 

[Black Pearl]

Nik Viveza

[Phil]

Nik Viveza

 

Looking now

[Guest DaveW]

Try the post processing removal method on my last two links it seems almost instantaneous rather than using brushes etc?

 

http://digital-photography-school.com/the-fast-way-to-remove-dark-circles-under-eyes-in-photoshop

[Leon]

no idea about the processing but she is a very pretty little girl , well taken.

[Phil]

Try the post processing removal method on my last two links it seems almost instantaneous rather than using brushes etc?

 

I tried the patch tool but it's putting freckles where she doesn't have them.

[colinb]

Phil I'm happy to give it a go if you wish although it will be tomorrow evening now before I get the chance.

 

and if it helps rather than use the clone tool I would try using the healing brush.

[Phil]

Phil I'm happy to give it a go if you wish although it will be tomorrow evening now before I get the chance.

 

Many thanks Colin but Fuji has pointed me in the right direction. I'll stick the result here tomorrow

[NannyFerret]

no idea about the processing but she is a very pretty little girl , well taken.

Definitely a beautiful little model.

[colinb]

Phil - thought I would download the above file as it is of good quality

 

I tried healing + clone but because of the freckles I have found it best to feather and copy a little layer of flesh from near her jaw then tweak the levels. I'm sure you could improve it further with a little more time and attention to the original.

 

original

 

Edit

Edited June 4, 2013 by colinb

[colinb]

Many thanks Colin but Fuji has pointed me in the right direction. I'll stick the result here tomorrow

sorry Phil - I thought I would give it a few minutes using the wife's laptop

[Phil]

sorry Phil - I thought I would give it a few minutes using the wife's laptop

 

No need for apologies, all help appreciated  

[Phil]

Leon and Tina, she has her dads looks

[FUJI]

Leon and Tina, she has her dads looks

You must be very pretty Phil??? ;-)

FUJI

[Phil]

You must be very pretty Phil???

 

Indeed. Apart from the bags of course 

 

I've had a go and decided to not remove the dark areas completely as they are part of her, although a little more sleep would reduce the need for PS

 

[NannyFerret]

That's nice, Phil.

The kids don't seem to want to go to bed or to sleep at a set time these days, do they?