Image of guitars - Fix it

[Ming]

For a friend, he requested to see how big the photos were. Can anybody help me fix this photo? A bit overexposed at you know where

Here is the photo completely untouched (honestly). Just converted from RAW and resized.

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Please state how you edited the photos. Thanks

[ShaolinTiger]

Here is mine, since the highlights are completely blown...nothing can be recovered so no point trying.

Plus IMHO there is nothing interesting in that corner, so just crop it out.

The focus is the photos, so let's make it tighter, I gave it a little desaturated feel too as the pics are B&W I thought it might suite.

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[alancheong7]

I like ST's take on it, highlights the guitars.

I think if the pix were to be framed and hung, it's make a good feature wall.
It certainly wouldn't be out of place in a photography exhibition.

[Ming]

Thanks brother Alan. I supposed to give my friend a 4R version, but had miscommunication with the staff and they accidentally printed 12RW!

Is there any technique known for reducing highlights? Other than the normal things we do, such as Dodging/Burning, Shadow Highlight, Masking and so on?

[alancheong7]

errrrrr .... errrrrr ..... :redface:
sorry ming, your question aar ..... needs to be redirected at ST, Jack2, Leslie, goji and some others ..... you see, eerrr.... :redface: ...I'm not literate in these things yet :D

Actually, if the pic itself were to be part of a rock/musician/guitar series, it makes pretty good theme pic as well. :thumbs_up:

[Ming]

Thanks bro Alan. :D

[galvin]

If I've got such photo, this is what I'll do with it.

http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/galvin/shutterasia/guitar_highlite.jpg
Your subject matter are the B/W photos. If your luck with the final outcome just can't bring out the subject matter, it's not a waste. Use photoshop to manipulate it to create a photo artwork. Darken the surrounding of the room (the towel and hanger is not really that interesting) so that your B/W photos can stand out.

http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/galvin/shutterasia/guitar_sharpen.jpg
Have anyone tried using the SHARPEN filter in Photoshop to enhance your photos? Dare to explore, the outcome can be quite interesting. This sample has gone thru the SHARPEN filter. As you can see now, the B/W photos on the bed are so much clearer.