image stacking

[Ivan R. Harris]

What I need is to make a picture that is too dim bright enough to identify the culprit. So far screen makes it better but not enough. Any thoughts?
Ivan

[Warren S. Sarle]

Image->Adjustments->Curves
You don't need all the screened layers. You can get the same effect with curves.

[YrbkMgr]

Image|Apply Image is essentially the same as Mac's method, but doesn't use layers. So you can do the following with layers or Apply Image, I'm just outlining Apply Image because it's easier than explaining stamping layers, etc.

So... Image|Apply Image, use Screen as the blend mode. If that's not enough, do it again - note that you can vary the opacity (as you would be able to do with layers).

So the point is, you can do it more than once and fine tune the progressive Apply Image steps to (hopefully) achieve the effect your after.

Btw, if you put the image up on a web site somewhere and posted the link, you'd probably get better help - just a thought.

Peace,
Tony

[Ivan R. Harris]

I set up a web site and the picture is posted there.
<http://www2.netcnct.net/ivanh>

I need to brighten the picture to identify the car.
Ivan

[YrbkMgr]

Ivan,

I see what you're doing. I've had moderate success with the image in being able to identify what looks like a red mustang - well, it's a two door midsize in any case.

The problem is that the image is a JPG. There are JPG artifacts which cover the car preventing its identification. If you can get this image directly from the camera as a TIFF, I believe you'll have more success and I can share at least what I've done to enhance it and identify it.

But if the image comes from film as a JPG, the compression process has introduced artifacts that, as I say, obscure the vehicle.

Peace,
Tony

[dave milbut]

definately not a mustang... olds? pontiac? i'm thinking definately GM... need to get a better look at the grill... try masking the headlights while applying a curves adj layer.... added a light (1.0) gaus blur to try to clear some of the jpg artifacts, some minimal effect... still looking...

[Ivan R. Harris]

We are pretty sure it is a Honda Prelude from the quarter window and the rectangle park lights under the rectangle headlights. I can't get a TIFF for it. It is from a video system.
Ivan

[Cheesefood]

I tried with the Dodge/Burn tools, the curves and adjusting the brightness. You have so many artifacts that it's hard to do anything without them taking over.

[YrbkMgr]

Well, if that's all you have to work with, the absolute easiest and thus far most effective way to cope with the image, that I've found, is to duplicate the layer and use a Screen Blend mode. Then duplicate that layer. You'd be amazed at how much comes out, but you will also see the JPG artifacts I spoke of.

definately not a mustang




Okay, so I don't know squat about cars. Point made <grin>.

Mathais, one of our regular contributors has created a set of actions for underexposed images, that I also used, (but still prefer the method I described above), called DigitalDeluxe Toolkit. It's a free set of actions that may help a bit.

Visit Mathias' site and download it:

<http://www.2morrow.dk/75ppi/coolpix/actions/>

It may help - there's contrast masking and underexposure controls that can often help.

Peace,
Tony

[Cheesefood]

If you manage to make any progress, then add a Find Edges filter, you can pull out a little more of the shape, including the contours in the door. The drivers side is a wash though.

[dave milbut]

You have so many artifacts that it's hard to do anything without them
taking over.




agreed.

[Ivan R. Harris]

I think I will give up on this project. I appreciate the help. Thanks all.
Ivan