Warming a photo (getting the skin tones right)

[Skubagirl]

I am having a hard time knowing when enough is enough! As you can see, the original version is much too cold .. so I warmed it up .. but how did I do? Do you have any tips as to how to know when skin tones "look right"??

original


adjusted

[wulf]

Compare with some reference shots. I would say that this is much improved but has now pushed into the "cross-processed" vibe; cool but not necessarily what you were going for.

Wulf

ps. BTW, I'm going to move this to the technique area with a slightly different title, since you are asking about a general technique rather than specific comparison critique between just these two photos.

[Skubagirl]

Thanks .. seems everytime I post it gets moved .. too many forums to pick from! Can you clarify "cross-processed" .. I like the effect but just want to understand the terminology.

[utsc2006]

I'm still new to this but I've been reading up on white balance and it looks like your first photo has a blue cast to it. Maybe invest in a WB card and bring it along with you.

[wulf]

Cross-processing was a film technique. By using the "wrong" set of chemicals, funky colour effects could be produced. Nowadays it is easier to do the same thing digitally, including the option to quickly try a whole slew of virtual mixtures and without any noxious chemical waste left over

One effect that is often replicated is a greeny-yellow colour cast and enhanced contrast - "urban acid" is often used to describe this.

Wulf

[Skubagirl]

Yeah .. greeny yellow effect .. I guess that's where I feel that I've gone too far in warming the picture. I wasn't really looking to cross-process or over process .. just color correct. So I guess, while it's better than the original, I over warmed it? (I realize the contrast is high too which I guess saturates the colors, yes?)

[Jim Bryant]

Try working in curves instead of auto levels or levels and just color saturation.

[Skubagirl]

Thanks Jim .. I only use curves and never auto anything. This is an action from Kubota's Artistic II package that I ran which added strong contrast and warmed the photo.

[wulf]

Try doing the curves by hand. Does the action leave a trial of adjustment layers you can go back and tweak?

Wulf

[kencaleno]

Simple answer: use cloudy white balance in daytime outdoor. Ken