How do I correct a photograph with bad exposure?

Question

I took a picture of a dark brown signpost.  It's one of those new touristy signposts.  Behind it is a field.  The sky was partially overcast.

The sky was overexposed and the signpost is very dark.  I tried gamma correction but the whole picture becomes either too bright or too dark.  I tried to reduce the contract, which helps bring out details in the clouds, but the picture has a greyish tint.  Changing brightness levels does the same.

Is there any way I can improve the picture?  I am using freeware image manipulation software (IrfanView and Serif PhotoPlus 6).

Thanks.

TiredofIdiots · Accepted Answer

You need to buy Photoshop CS and then you can correct it properly. All that freeware is crap. Photoshop is for professionals and can really help you in making your overexposure disappear.
All freeware does is put an application in your system and give you "bugs" so they can track where you go next time you go online. Freeware isn't "free",  they want to know where the person goes on the internet.

John S · Answer

You need to correct the problem with a program that allows adjustment in "curves". I use photoshop but it ain't cheap.

If you use the curves adjustment you can change the shadow values and  highlights independently. This is pretty common. However, when you make photos in these conditions you need to use fill-flash to open up the shadow details. This saves a lot of grief on the processing end. If you have a histogram available on your digital camera it will tell you if there is any shadow detail or highlight over exposure by the shape of is graph.

Mac Momma · Answer

GIMP is free and just as good as photochop.

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How do I correct a photograph with bad exposure?

3 Answers