How do I fix a white reflection in a photo using Lightroom Classic?

[joycem47756007]

I took a photo of 2 people against a shiny reflective background. The end result was there was a bright white reflection between the 2 people. Can you help me with which tool I should use to remove or change this in Lightroom Classic?

[F. McLion]

Seeing the photo would definitely help in trying to give good advice.

From your description, I'd simply try to mask the background and adjust it.

[joycem47756007]

Here's the photo. Thanks for any help.

[D Fosse]

If it's blown out (sensor saturation), it's a Photoshop job. Then you need to rebuild that area, and probably also correct diffuse flare in the faces.

[DS256]

As asked, posting the photo would help.

Depending on how your camera exposure is set, your 2 people could be under exposed.

If you want to change the background, that is PS work. LrC will allow to select and adjust the background but as noted if blown out, not much can be done.

[joycem47756007]

Here's the photo. I am a beginner photographer and would appreciate any help. I have only used Lightroom Classic. Do I need to download Photoshop?

[Lumigraphics]

This is a prime example why on-camera flash is bad. For future reference, run, don't walk, on over to the Strobist blog ands start learning about using flash.

https://strobist.blogspot.com/

As for fixing this image, yes you'll need Photoshop or similar image editor.

In Photoshop, my approach would be to use the magic wand to select the hotspot, then use a Curves adjustment layer to get the brightness and color close to the background, then finally finish the repair manually with clone tool and healing brush.

There are a bazillion tutorials on YouTube showing how to do operations like this.

[joycem47756007]

Thank you for your suggestions. I will give this a try and read up on Learn How to Light.

[Bill Sprague]

The newest versions of Generative Fill in Photoshop make that easy.  Draw a lasso around the bright spot and let AI figure it out.   With most of the work done by Photoshop, a little exposure adjustment with a Lightroom Classic brush finished it.   Start to finish was about 5 minutes. 

[joycem47756007]

Hi Bill, thanks for replying. I drew a lasso around the bright spot and clicked on Generative Fill then clicked on Generate. It reduced the white spot by 25% and wouldn't remove more despite using the Generative Fill then Generate with the lasso 4-5 times. Now the spot itself looks whiter. Did I do something wrong?

[Bill Sprague]

It may be how you drew the lasso.  I'm new to Generative Fill.  Did you see that I posted an adjusted photo file for you to use?

[joycem47756007 · Accepted solution]

Yes, I see the adjusted photo. Thank you for taking the time to fix it and allowing me to use it. I'll need to learn and practice the Generative Fill a lot more. I really appreciate your help.