Not sure about elements, but there must be an auto levels or auto equalise setting within it. Most programs have it in the settings or edit drop down.Try this first and see what it comes out like..

To get a little more complicated, and if your software allows it, you could have a look at the histogram. You will notice that it will be more biased to the right hand side.If so, drag the handles/arrows at the bottom to meet the start of the histogram...

Looks like textbook case of overexposure. everything from sand to shirts is white, meter thinks there's too much light and opens shutter for longer than really necessary..

Any basic free photo fixing program like Picasa or Adobe Album should fix it on auto... Or, you can try download IrfanView and do what I didImage~Enhance colors...Gamma 0.88Brightnes -22Contrast +18You're better familiar with your folks, so your settings might end up better....

EDIT: Didn't realize you have Elements... I haven't got them where I write this, so I can't give you detailed advice....

Try Retouching sub-forum (the last one), there are always Elements and PS users there....

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You need to adjust the levels..

Marcusf wrote:.

I shot this late afternoon on the beach with my D40 and kit lens andSB400. As you can see, there is a "haze"!! I'm new to photography,but does anyone know if there is a way to fix this?? I havePhotoshop Elements 4.0 at home. Please help, this is my wife'sfamily and I really want to give them the best photo I can. Thanks..

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EOSMan (got print button?)http://www.pbase.com/eosman..

Stupid me....

Ok, so it's a bit strange... Probably the problem is that you fired flash in already well-lit scene. Man, you have DSLR! it's not a $5 single-use contraption that needs flash in broad daylight. ..

Thanks; I will try this as well! I really appreciate all the help; I knew this was a great forum...

You used TOO MUCH flash and TOO LITTLE ambient light. The camera can be adjusted to do it better..

To fix with PSE, Ctrl-L (or Enhance => Adjust Lighting => Levels) to bring up the Levels dialog box:.

Observe that the histogram shows there are no blacks or whites in your picture..

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Adjust the black and white sliders thusly:.

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Observe that the two girls in front are brighter (because they are closer to the flash). Select them. I used the Selection Brush Tool set to a diameter of 210 pixels, but there are MANY different ways. Note that it's not important to EXACTLY outline the girls! Invert the selection. Feather the selection 5 pixels..

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Use the Highlights and Shadows tool. Set the Shadows slider to about 20%. This will brighten the people in the background..

Deselect the selection (Ctrl-D)..

The color is a bit off. I used the Adjust Color for Skin Tone tool and clicked on the upper arm of the girl on the right. It cooled the pic off and made the sky less green looking:.

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Finally, the picture is a bit soft, especially if viewed at a small size on this website. I sharpened it pic a bit, using Adjust Sharpness tool. I did a gaussian blur sharpening with Amount = 70 and Radius = 1.5 pixels..

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Once you get confortable with PSE, post requests like this on the Retouching Forum. There are qualified people there..

Charlie DavisNikon 5700 & Sony R1HomePage: http://www.1derful.infoBridge Blog: http://www.here-ugo.com/BridgeBlog/..

Not so happy yet about the guy's hair on the right and ofcourse only you can decide the correct skin tonation..

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Thanks for the help; can't wait to get home and try your very well-done directions. thanks again,marcus..