IHF – Fix It Friday #83
The Original {by Angie Arthur Photography}:
This week’s challenge is such a fun image, with huge potential for rich, colour pops. First, I did two curves adjustment layers. One to bring out the colour and contrast in the background (the leaves and trees). The second to lighten him up. For both of these adjustments I did masks over the areas I didn’t want to be affected. Next I adjusted saturation on the red, green and yellow channels, and masked over him (otherwise he looks a little oompa loompa for my taste 
. I threw on a burnt edges action I have and did a little unsharp mask. Finally, I used my handy web resize & sharpen action and lowered the opacity to avoid the crispy effect.
Here is my edit {Michelle of Bodh Photography}
Simple curves adjustments made a HUGE difference for this image. Give it a try yourself 
IHF – Fix It Friday #82
ORIGINAL
First I opened up the file in Photoshop CS5 and did a little under eye fixing with the patch tool. Next I did an overall brighten with curves. Added a little vibrance for her lips and eyes. I did a teeny bit of dodging to the whites and catchlights in her eyes, as well as a little bit of burning around the darker parts (less is more!). I used Paint The Moon’s free action, PTM Wonder Quickie, and played around with the different layers. Lastly, I used MCP’s free action, MCP Crystal Clear Resize & Sharpening, and did a mid-opactity mask over the skin on her face. Done and done in under 5 minutes. To be honest, it was a great photo to begin with which reinforces the mantra of getting it right in camera first.
Here is my fix:
Edit by Michelle of Bodh Photography
I’d also like to point out that all the actions I used were FREE. I’ve amassed dozens of actions over the past year (both freebies and paid) and the irony of it is, it’s only the free actions I use on a consistent basis for fun and within my business. That says something
Thanks for checking out my edit, and I hope you’ll give it a go yourself!