Correct Colour Tones?

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

Jasmine by ijusteatedpie, on Flickr
This is a shot i took in Ashland, Oregon as part of a trip i took with my highschool. i've been playing with it in lightroom recently, and had it printed two times. of course it may just be the prints, but one of them, the colour tones seemed incredibly muted, the other seemed identical to this, but it still seems muted. as far as editing goes, i have absolutely no idea, being a completely self-taught photographer. any input as to how to improve the shot would be greatly appreciated!


Exif Data:
Canon T1i
Exposure: 1/250
Aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 400
Lens: Canon 50mm f/1.8
Edited in Lightroom 3

[Peely22]

I absolutely love this, but I know what you mean. Composition, colour, framing, and angleof glance - gorgeous.
What's missing - light on the eyes.
If you can enhace the eyes in OS etc without losing the naturalism, then it would be perfect!

[Peely22]

enhance in PS, not OS! typing in the dark

[Peely22]

Sorry, just re-read your question - Lightroom! Use the Adjustment brush and lighten those eyes - easy quick fix!

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

thanks, i'll try that!

[johnske]

Photoshop: Try Auto color > Brightness slider around +20 > Shadows/Highlights (Shadows slider about 30%, Highlights slider 0%) then a little sharpening.

[EOBeav]

It's a nice candid snapshot. How was the Shakespeare?

[JFSanders]

On a overcast day you will get flat light. That will give you muted tones. A fill flash off camera to the right and above her pointing down at say 45 deg set to low power just to fill and create a catch light and then cropping off the lens flare on the left edge that is distracting as all get out and you have a pretty good photograph. Her eyes are out of focus so next time make sure the eyes are sharp and in focus it will help tremendously to make her pop out of the photograph.

Five minutes (Better if you can do it in camera instead of post but whatever works for you is best) in NX2 and this is my take on it. If you don't like it say so and I will delete it.



Jim

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

i see what you mean, thanks!

[graciousness]

+1 with Peely. I love the contrasts on your photo!! Only a little bit of lightening in the eyes (but not much) and I think it's perfect. I love the fact that there is this mood in the mood due to the contrasts. The exposure is just right where they need to be (again, though except in the eyes but that's easily fixed). The shadows just balance the tones on this.

I really don't think you need to play around with the overall exposure on this photo as I think you were on the right track. I don't feel that every photo has to be evenly exposed and I tend to lean on contrasts of light and shades, too.

Anyhoo, just my two cents Great job!! You have a great feel for your images and you need to keep following your instincts with your creative vision. Looking forward for more.

Cheers,

Grace