Expert: Glen Demers - 10/5/2008

Question
Hello,

I have a picture taken at work of our group and I need to add another person to it. The one at work is a lot darker than the one of the person I have to add as it was taken outside and she is somewhat washed out. How can I blend the two photos?

Thanks,
Sandy

Answer
Hi Sandy,

With your eyedropper set to 5x5 pixel sample, take a few color sample readings from faces on your group photo, people with similar complexions, and try to adjust the curves on the new image to match. On the new person you may want to duplicate the layer and set the blending mode of the new layer to darken, multiply, overlay or soft light. Then reduce the opacity of the layer to get a realistic tone, and merge the layers - these are ways to add "weight" to the persons washed out skin tones, multiply would be my first choice, although it may make the shadows too dark - outdoor photos tend have more contrast than indoor shots.
Once you have the complexion close you can add the person to a new layer on your group shot and make final adjustments - such as adding a little noise to match grain or flipping her horizontally to match the light source.
As long as the new person doesn't look to "bright" compared to the others, the picture should look fine.
Don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Adobe Certified Expert, Photoshop 7
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

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