Please don't think I am just rude, but the answer to your question is very complex..

Selectively applying curves (that is where I would start) is a technique that is way too complicated for an answer on a forum like this. If you do not understand the complexity of selections and how the curves tool works, it's time to read books and online material to learn what you need to know..

Nothing is enough for the man to whom nothing is enough...

Before the photo is taken, or after?.

Before, get a big sheet of thin paper or cloth, and cut out holes so light shines through the holes, with less light shining through the material..

After you take the picture, look for the dodge and burn commands in post-processing (image processing) software).

Dodging gets some parts lighter; burining gets some parts darker..

BAK..

Mstmart. It's not so complex and everyone has to start somewhere but you must experiment. That way you will learn, look up things on the web there is tons of help there if you put in the right search words..

Ok. Open the image. Choose the Marque Tool (looks like a lasso probably. The up top you will see fethering. choose someting like 15 (0 isd a hard edge to your selection, the bigger the number the softer it gets). Draw roughly around the face, just inside the edges.

This will add any new selection to your first selection rather than starting a new one on it's own. Draw around the hands. Do the same to any other areas you want to lighten..

That done open Curves (CTRL M on a pc is the shortcut). Pickm up the curve in the middle somewhere and drag it up. You should see the areas that you selected lighten. When they are correct OK Curves and it will close. Deselect the selection (CTRL D) and Bob's your uncle. Now start again and do it once more just for the practice.Jules.

Mstmart wrote:.

Hello All.

How can I light up certain part in a photograph like the face andhand or dark area or even lighten up a dull photo like as if a lighthas been switched on..

I am sorry for keeping asking questions  I am very newbie withphotoshop cs2.

Any reply would be much appreciated..

Many thanks.

Mstm.

Black moles do not destroy information...

As I'm sure you already can tell, there are a variety of ways, so here's my two cents worth:.

If you are using Photoshop CS2/3 or Elements, try adding a Levels layer. It will show a histogram looking thing. Move the middle slider to help lighten or darken the midtones, and the right to adjust the overall brightness..

Once you get the hang of this, you might want to work selectively on portions of the image. To do this, select the areas you want to adjust, like the persons face, and then create the Levels layer. This time, the layer should only adjust what was selected when the layer was created. To soften the edges, after you have made the selection try to 'feather' the selection, which is an option in the Select menu on CS2..

Curves and dodge&burn will also work, but I personally find Levels to be the easiest to use..

It also helps if the image you shot was in raw, as this gives a little more lattitude in the amount of adjustments you can make. If you shot raw, then it will still work, but you won't be able to adjust the levels as much without losing some image quality..

The best thing to do is to experiment to find out what works best for you and the particular image..

Everything I write is a personal opinion. Even when I quote facts, they are the facts I personally choose to accept.http://www.pbase.com/mariog..

Hello All.

I thank you each individually for answering my thread regarding lighting up photo I have tried the adjustment layer thingy and i've managed to get the results I want I have also ordered a book by katrin eismann third edition so I shall get my head in there and learn all what I need to know and hopefully learn enough so that I can do my helping bit in the forum..

This forum is very helpful and all questions seems to get answered very quick I very much appreciate all the help..

Many thanks.

Cheers.

Mst..