Reds are orange tinted

[terrib972]

Why do the reds in my photos almost always tend toward orange?

I'm using a Canon XSi on different settings with or without flash. I've tried doing a custom white balance (setting it by taking a pic of a white sheet of paper). I've tried indoor and outdoor. If the subject matters, I'm photographing yarn or finished knitted items. They have been against both a dark and a light background. I don't seem to have this problem with other colors.

I'm hoping for an answer that will help me take the shot properly - not fix it in post production. I'm not shooting RAW but also can't seem to get it right in post either. I'm fairly new to digital SLR.

Thanks for any help!

[Doug Pardee]

Since you're shooting JPEG, did you select an appropriate Picture Style? It sounds like Faithful is what you're looking for.

You'll also find that the Color Tone setting will affect mainly the reds, with a negative setting making them redder and a positive setting making them yellower. So if you're still not getting the reds that you want with Faithful, try lowering the Color Tone.

Also be careful of White Balance. Auto WB will make you crazy if you're trying to get predictable colors. That Custom WB is likely to be your best bet.

[terrib972]

Thanks for your quick suggestions. I'll experiment with that. My camera was set on Neutral picture style. I'm not sure where to find the Color tone setting, but will look it up. thanks.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by terrib972

I'm not sure where to find the Color tone setting, but will look it up.

It's in the Picture Style.

You can also create your own picture style using the Picture Style editor, but that might be more work than it's worth to you. Shooting in Raw and finding a converter that gives you the colors you like might be easier.