Help with this photo

[suzanneg]

These are two shots taken at the Sydney Uni quad. I was wandering around while Macka and Rooboy were shooting the handball.

Are either of these shots worth fixing? Next time I will try bracketing. Haven't done that yet.

Would you start with the underexposed one or the other. Suggestions please.

[PiroStitch]

First shot would be worthwhile to change to b&w. If you're using p/shop, select the darker areas with the lasso and adjust the levels to bring the up a bit. By doing so, you will bring up some noise but with b&w conversion it should give it a bit more character.

[Geoff]

I would personally start with the under exposed one. For next time I think some fill flash would have helped you out loads in this shot. A good suggestion by Pirostitch to convert to B&W - the first one is definately salvagable, look forward to seeing your efforts.

[rooboy]

Have a play with Shadows/Highlight command (Image => Adjustments => Shadow/Highlight). The top slider will bring up the shadows (& noise), the highlights slider will pull the bright areas down (& often introduces a colour cast). It won't help with the blown out footpath though.

[big pix]

have a look here ...........

http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html

[suzanneg]

I've had a go. Comments?

[big pix]

better tonal range, but I would also like to see it in colour......... I also have a small book under the right hand side of my computer......

[Glen]

Suzanne, I like the last version. I also have slipped a couple of business cards under the right hand side of my computer

[suzanneg]

Well, the whole thing is not very straight. Both edges actually lean in, but I can take a hint.

[PiroStitch]

IMHO, much better than the first version

[gstark]

Suzanne,

Other have suggested starting with the underexposed mage. Without having the larger sized images to go on, I'm going to suggest starting with the overexposed one, simply because you'll probably have more data in the image with which you can play.

I'd also be a tad concerned about noise issues in the underexposed sections of the image, and if your starting with an underexposed image in the first instance, this may already be an issue just waiting to rear its ugly head.

Don't worry too much about the "lean"; what you're seeing is natural distortion due to the fact that camera would have been pointed up slightly to make these images: look at applying a little perspective control in your PP if this concerns you.