Just not getting colour - grrrrr. Skin tones mrk v

[NicolaB]

Hi I am going bonkers trying to get colour right. I normally go too cool or magenta and underexposed.

How is this? Any tips on how to get colour most appreciated

[IMG][/IMG]

Exposure 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture f/3.2
Focal Length 70 mm
ISO Speed 200

I know the lighting os not great - she was a reluctant model! All critique welcome.

[zona5101]

I have the same issues sometimes...and what's worse is I may "fix" one image then several shots later fix a similar shot but when compared side by side they aren't identical. I have stated using a gray card and either taking a shot of it to start the set and balance to it in post or I will set a custom white balance based on it. Saves a lot of time and I don't have to second guess my white balance/color temp - it frees me up to second guess my black point, color, hue, saturation, brightness.....

I have the photflex, folds up to fit in a back pocket...

QuikDisc: 12 inch white balancing tool

Lastolite, Manufacturer of Greycards for Colour Correction and Exposure Control.

[autofocus]

The only trouble you run into in asking "how are the skin tones," is that if you ask 12 people looking at 12 different PC screens, you will probably get 12 differing opinions. Just moving my screen in and out on my laptop probably effects the brightness and skin tones by 2-3 stops. the real question is how does it look on your screen, and how well does the printed version match with what you see?.
We will often use a grey card while shooting in the field, but the only gripe I have is with inconsistent lighting conditions always changing, it requires a new custom WB setting with each change.

[sk66]

It's VERY close. I think it might be just a touch too red
To set color I normally use a levels or exposure adjustment and the eyedroppers to set white and black. But sometimes that doesn't work.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by autofocus

The only trouble you run into in asking "how are the skin tones," is that if you ask 12 people looking at 12 different PC screens, you will probably get 12 differing opinions. Just moving my screen in and out on my laptop probably effects the brightness and skin tones by 2-3 stops. the real question is how does it look on your screen, and how well does the printed version match with what you see?.
We will often use a grey card while shooting in the field, but the only gripe I have is with inconsistent lighting conditions always changing, it requires a new custom WB setting with each change.

Very true!!! On another board I'm on, most photographers are calibrated and will comment on skin tones only if they are indeed calibrated.

That being said, she does look a tad red. In CS2, I did a selective color adjustment layer, chose "neutrals" from the drop-down menu, and then slid magenta down to -4 and yellow down to -2. Merged the layers down, and just for fun zoomed in and used the patch tool at 50% opacity under her eyes (only because I'm totally self-conscious about my under-eye circles and wrinkles, lol!). They're still there, but faded a bit. Lastly, I duplicated the layer at soft light, and masked back in her face and hair to give a bit of color pop and contrast. Merged layers down again and cropped just a bit.

As Vinnie said, this may not look good to everyone, but on my monitor it's pretty accurate. You seem to see the same issues so your monitor is probably fairly close to mine, and my prints match my screen.

As for the lighting, you yourself said it wasn't great - it is quite flat. A bit of dimension and shadowing would have helped, but it's great that you're seeing that!

As always, let me know if you'd like me to take it down.

Lovely otherwise! The catchlights are gorgeous.

[LoveDSLR]

To get accurate color, I created camera profile using X-Rite Colorchecker Passport. For example, here's an image I used to calibrate my Smartphone camera.

[sheila3]

[/QUOTE]

Wow Susan! Awesome edit!

[sheila3]

[QUOTE=zona5101;1193805]and what's worse is I may "fix" one image then several shots later fix a similar shot but when compared side by side they aren't identical

Glad to know I'm not the only one

[sheila3]

I'm afraid I don't have any advice except to sympathize. Color can be a challenge. I have yet to get my monitor calibrated. And my prints do not match my screen so I'm still a work in process

[NicolaB]

Originally Posted by zona5101

.... "fix" one image then several shots later fix a similar shot but when compared side by side they aren't identical. I have stated using a gray card.....

Tell me about it! Argh it is such an uphill battle. My eyes will calibrate eventually I am sure. I do have a Digital Grey Kard but didn't use it on this occasion and even when I do....

Originally Posted by autofocus

.....but the only gripe I have is with inconsistent lighting conditions always changing, it requires a new custom WB setting with each change.

...... I get frustrated for this reason. It has definitely helped on other practice sessions but it does not get me to my final image.

Originally Posted by sk66

It's VERY close. I think it might be just a touch too red
To set color I normally use a levels or exposure adjustment and the eyedroppers to set white and black. But sometimes that doesn't work.

There is an eye dropper in LR but I haven't seen one for white or black. I must research this (I do have CS5 but I would think the option would be there in LR somewhere.)

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

.....
That being said, she does look a tad red. In CS2, I did a selective color adjustment layer, chose "neutrals" from the drop-down menu, and then slid magenta down to -4 and yellow down to -2. Merged the layers down, and just for fun zoomed in and used the patch tool at 50% opacity under her eyes (only because I'm totally self-conscious about my under-eye circles and wrinkles, lol!). They're still there, but faded a bit. Lastly, I duplicated the layer at soft light, and masked back in her face and hair to give a bit of color pop and contrast. Merged layers down again and cropped just a bit.......

Lovely as always Susan. Should I be able to get it to this state without doing the levels adjustment with white balance in RAW or do you just have to go to the colour adjustment layer most times to get colour spot on?

[QUOTE=sheila3;1193976]

Originally Posted by zona5101

and what's worse is I may "fix" one image then several shots later fix a similar shot but when compared side by side they aren't identical. Glad to know I'm not the only one

Me three!

Thank you all!