Too much Backlight....

CorTed wrote on 8/11/2008, 11:53 AM

I have a shot where there are people in front of a window, with a lot of sunlight behind them.
The people are just black outlines.
I have used the level FX to improve the detail in the picture so you can make out the faces, but I was wondering if there are other tricks (if any) that can salvage this shot and improve the details in the darkness.....

Ted

Comments

johnmeyer wrote on 8/11/2008, 11:56 AM

Color Curves would be better because you can pretty much hold the backlight level (i.e., not increase it), while raising the low light level of the faces.

The noise in the shadows will be a problem. Use Neat or Mike Crash's noise filter to reduce that somewhat (don't overdo it).

CorTed wrote on 8/11/2008, 2:03 PM

Thanks John,
I will give that a try!

Ted

johnmeyer wrote on 8/11/2008, 2:44 PM

If you want to post one second or so of the video (or even a JPG frame capture) I can try to see what can be done and then send you the VEG.

CorTed wrote on 8/12/2008, 8:03 AM

John
I played with the Color Curves as you suggested, and I was able to bring tha faces back out of the dark image. Quite amazing to see how much detail is hidden with a dark picture.

Thanks

Ted