BetterPhoto Q&A
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Linda Buchanan		Enhancing fall foliage photo I took some shots from a scenic overlook this past weekend. The fall colors are gorgeous in the foreground, but the background colors are faded. I have played around a little in ps (I have elements 2 and 6.0) and I somehow got some of the colors to pop in the background, but I couldn't get this to apply to the entire picture. Can anyone give me step by step instructions on how to do that correctly? If you can help me, please be really specific, I am a photoshop moron! Thank you for your help. To love this question, log in above November 06, 2005

Linda Buchanan		Any ideas? To love this comment, log in above November 07, 2005

Cyndee Wanyonyi		Hi Linda, Try "Hue SaturatiON" under "Enhance" I believe. Use the drop down menu in the window pop=up and click on RED. Pull the saturation bar to the right. Do the same with Yellow. It should bring out the fall colors all over the photo. Cyndee ><> To love this comment, log in above November 07, 2005

Pete H		Hi Linda, Wow! You ask more than you know. LOL It's not really a tuff question technically, but step by step would take a small article..at least if you were to do it to near perfection. You did not mention if you are shooting digital, but I will assume you are as you said you are using PS. The first step in "fixing" or "enhancing" a photo is to recognize the problem. In your example, you are dealing with light fall off..(i.e) the background is not as well lit as the foreground subject, so when you try to "dodge" or "saturate" the background, it is NOT being applied equally; yes? You are getting some areas that "pop" right out and look great, but the darker areas are not. I would suggest using "photomerge." Take two shots..one exposed properly for the subject and one for the background. You will have to do this on a tripod so the two images line up perfectly. With Photoshop, you can "merge" the two layers. Make sure you check the radio button that says "Keep as layers." We're NOT doing a panorama here. Now, depending which photo you have on the bottom of the stack, (let's say you have the underexposed one on the bottom, select that layer and carefully "erase" away the dark areas to reveal the properly exposed photo. If you could post the pic, perhaps we can be more specific concerning a fix. May your light be pure, Pete To love this comment, log in above November 07, 2005

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