Help with blown out background

[Tpgettys]

We wish to use this image for our Christmas cards this year, but as you can see the background is blown out by a lamp that is there.  Your suggestions about how to make it usable will be greatly appreciated!  Feel free to also suggest any crop or skin tone corrections you see that it needs.

[cats4jan]

can't help but had to say HOW CUTE

[fotofrank]

does this work? a whole lot of masking.

[hmca]

I love when members share an image on this board, Tom. It always proves to be a great learning experience. However, I think it might be helpful, if you are comfortable doing it, to share a larger image. The image you have provided is a very small file. For my attempt I separated the little boy from the image and then worked to expand the tree. I worked on the boy separately in Camera Raw, adjusting the white balance and then in the editor tried sampling and painting skin tone. My crop is quite severe. I look forward to seeing what others might suggest. Have to end by saying that smile lights up his face....precious little guy!

[cats4jan]

Helen - just excellent work. Don’t think it can be improved.

[fotofrank]

You could try B&W

[Tpgettys]

Helen, you are right, the image I have is rather small, because it was sent via a text message I'm guessing. Hopefully I can get a full-size image. I do appreciate your result and the details about how it was achieved!

Both your edits are a vast improvement Frank, thanks! I am curious what you are meaning exactly by "a lot of masking"; select the boy and then apply a mask to what's left?

[pontiac1940]

Tom,
NOTE: Sorry I have been quiet. Just busy with life...all good. How busy? I took a lot of photos on Tuesday and just this morning found time to "finish" selections and edits.   

This is a fast attempt. I see flaws such as I never removed the glare at the top of the head. And the head looks a tad fake on the right side with the "halo."
Following up on what Helen did, I selected the child and duplicated the selection. On the background layer, I just started cloning to add the tree to the right behind the child. 

Clive 

[Tpgettys]

Thanks Clive, I like what you did, although the glowing hair is problematic; I still don't know how to deal with that.

[Tpgettys]

I finally was sent the full-size image; here it is:

It will be interesting to see if it makes a difference, for anyone willing to get it another try!

[pontiac1940]

Dec 16, 2022 4:57:49 GMT Tpgettys said:

I still don't know how to deal with that.

There is a way....will try 

[pontiac1940]

Crazy fast .. still not good. 
Selected the toddler. >> Refine edge >>> reduced the size>>>duplicated. Used the burn tool to take some of the glare off the right side of the hair. Cloned background..slopilly. There is still some haloing and that could be carefully (and very minimally) erased with a soft brush and perhaps also burned a wee bit.  
Good luck. 

[hmca]

Will give it another try in the next day or so.....good practice, Tom.

[pontiac1940]

Took a bit more time this morning. Same process. Spent some time on the right side hair edge. The hair edge is a bit soft (ill defined) because of the strong backlighting. 
Unsure about the true hair color. ..seems to be quite red. Used the top of the rocking horse head for white balance. Played with skin tones a bit too.  
This specific file is sized to 5 by 7 inches. 
EDIT ... when I see it posted, the head edge is a bit too  ... too something ... needs more work.  
    

[srmoment]

my two cents....
you can make the hair more realistic by using the color picker to pick the color of the hair and then use a soft brush at a much reduced capacity to paint in the color. Having said that though, I think the problem here is that you need to lighten the christmas tree behind the head as that is where the light is coming in. I actually like that this cute little one's head seems to glow!