Dimming specular highlights?

[Dinarius]

I have specular highlights on a subject that I cannot reshoot.

Just wondering if I could use, for example, the Magic Wand tool to select those highlights and then simply darken them using a Brigtness/Contrast Adjustment Layer?

If yes, then how do I set the Magic Wand tool parameters?

If no, then which tool, if any, should I use?

Many thanks.

D.

[Sheldon N]

Have you tried the Shadow Highlight tool? I find it can sometimes pull a bit back into the really bright specular highlights.

Alternatively, perhaps try using the "Blend If" function in conjunction with an adjustment layer, rather than a simple mask/selection.

[ThePhotoDude]

Could you not just use the levels slider and simply pull back on your brightest values. If you use it on an adjustment layer you could use a mask and paint back in the other highlites you wish to keep.

John

[DiaAzul]

I have specular highlights on a subject that I cannot reshoot.

Just wondering if I could use, for example, the Magic Wand tool to select those highlights and then simply darken them using a Brigtness/Contrast Adjustment Layer?

If yes, then how do I set the Magic Wand tool parameters?

If no, then which tool, if any, should I use?

Many thanks.

D.
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Use the burn tool with a low exposure tagetting the highlights. Small soft brush over the affected area to soften the specular highlights.

[Rick_Allen]

You could add a layer and fill it with a tone of 250 swop it with the back ground layer (so put the back ground above newlayer) then in the layer props blend if grey is above 249.

[Dinarius]

Whatever one's views on polarizing gels/filters, here's a technique that I've worked out that works very well for removing specular highlights if you can't/don't want to use the gels/filters.

1. Create new background copy.

2. Enlarge image to about 700%.

3. Choose Select/Colour Range.

4. Set Fuzziness slider to about 30 - though you will have to experiment a bit.

5. Using the eyedropper tool, select a pixel from a highlight. Click OK.

6. Restore image to full screen.

7. Open new Brightness/Contrast Adjustment Layer.

8. Reduce the brightness to taste.

That's it!

If the overall reduction in highlight isn't adequate, repeat steps 4-8 but increase the value on the Fuzziness slider.

Alternatively, do it once and then do it all again using a different eyedropper selection so that you build up an effect by stages.



D.