Removing the bright areas from shiny objects

[PhoebeG]

I was trying to take a macro image of some coffee beans this morning and keep getting bright areas on the beans from light reflecting off of the shiny surfaces. I tried fixing this in PE by creating a layer and then trying to isolate the bright areas with the magic wand and adjustnig the brightness on only the bright spots, but I wasn't happy with the results.

I've attached a before (coffee1small) and an after (coffee2small).

I''ve also tried to minimize the direct light hitting the beans but there was still pleanty of reflection. I suppose I could try a polarlizer, but I don't have one for my macro lens.

Any thoughts on how to pp this better in PE 5?

Thanks,

Phil G.

[drg]

Put a diffuser of some type between the light and the beans. This is a problem I always feel looks best to fix with lighting. It may be quicker than figuring out the best masking and layering technique for this color/tone range without introducing new problems to the photograph.

A big white sheet can often be all you need or even a piece cloudy Vis-quine (industrial sheeting plastic). That way there is no direct light hitting the beans and making those highlights. Just set your white balance to custom and adjust for the 'filtered' light.

[Wild Wassa]

Does it have to be a digi correction thing? ... non permanent dulling sprays, that supress unwanted highlights on objects have been used by photographers shooting small products for eons.

Krylon make a high quality dulling spray. I recommend Krylon because I use Krylon products.

Another alternatve can be hair spray. Do you have an old can of hair spray in a cupboard?

With dulling sprays you are no doing a heavy spray coat like painting a yacht or a car, just a very light coat .. a simple spatter effect.

Google Krylon dulling spray ... and someone will be recommending hair spray.

Warren.

[PhoebeG]

Thanks drg and Warren. A dulling spray - what a great idea! Never heard of it, but I'll look into it.

Phil G.