What is the best/easiest way to remove shadows on face with PS?

[bjch512]

Hi,

Can someone please let me know if PS has some tool we can remove shadows on face (see attached photo).

I tried Clone Stamp Tool but it's still not very easy to remove the shadow especially the shadow on lips.

Thanks & regards,

Lee

[Rob_Cullen]

Your image would require 'major reconstruction'! But for a tutorial link-

https://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/03/softening-hard-shadows-method-1.html

[bjch512]

Thanks for the suggestions.  The link is helpful.

[didiermazier]

Ask James : https://twitter.com/fjamie013

He will surely find a funny way to do it

😉

[bjch512]

Thanks for the info.

[scotwllm]

Use the dodge tool. I found my mother's smile today under a nasty nose shadow in a photo taken in 1967. It takes a while, but you will be astonished at the amount of detail you will discover. Using it is kind of like when an archaeologist releases a fossil  from its rock using just a toothpick.

Scott

[bjch512]

Thank you.  I'll give it a try.

[Simmer1]

Hi,

Using Shadows/Highlights could help:

[bjch512]

Thank you.  Shadows/Highlights adjustment will be applied to the entire image, or we can apply it to only shadow area somehow?

[Simmer1]

Hi, 

In the above example I used it on the whole image, but you could use a Layer Mak to apply it just to the shadow area if that works best for you.

Below are some link may help you with Layer Masks:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/masking-layers.html

Also search for Layer Mask tutorials on sites like Youtube.

thanks,

Sim

[bjch512]

Great!  Thank you for the details.  I'll give a try.

Regards.

[Nancy OShea]

I don't think this can be repaired.  There's not enough detail to work with under those harsh, dark shadows.

[bjch512]

It's certainly very difficult to repair it to get ideal result.  I have tried several methods.

Thanks & regards.

[Chuck Uebele]

Frequency separation might work, but you would need to be good at brushing in tones. I did it on some portraits to soften the harsh light, but your image would be more challenging. 

[bjch512]

Thank you for your suggestions.

Regards.