HELP! I can't fix this image!

[sueq54172]

I just got a kick out of the article about amateurish processing of images because I've realized for some time now that I am the person she's talking about in the article. I've gotten into a bad habit of thinking, "Oops! Oh well, I'll fix that in Photoshop." Only problem is that it takes me sooo much time and frustration fixing problems.

Anyway, I could REALLY use help with two photos in particular. I took these photos inside using window light. Apparently I had the light hitting the back of her instead of the front of her. I think another problem is the pink blanket she is on. I've tried but can't fix the photos. I'm especially frustrated with her skin color when I try to fix the image. The poor thing ends up being discolored or looking dead. Color issues are my BIGGEST frustration. Its more prevalent with my Canon 40D.

I would really like some help with these two photos. If anyone can fix them and tell me how it was done, I would be very grateful.

Here are the two images:






Thanks!

[no.absolutes]

Without having a raw image to work with, I'm not sure how much help this is. I opened in Lightroom and used a preset "COL Lab Style" then I upped the exposure and used another preset called "Faded Edges".... then I pulled into PSPX2 and ran a script called SoftSuperSmoothe.... I also played around with some saturation.

Anyways, I will take this down if you'd like.

Ok, so I ended up thinking that probably looked a little too processed so I took the original and layered it on top of the edit and brought down the opacity to 50%.... so here is my new one...

[LeeR]

I would highly reccomend you check out the following tutorial. It suggests an approach for skintones you may find very helpful.

[kencaleno]

Auto color then use sliders in levels

[OsmosisStudios]

Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with the images. FOcus is a bit off, but the colours are fine.

[ororockcrawler]

Have to agree the images were fine, color and tone, slightly blurred feet in the second image. People are way to caught up in post processing, it takes up time you can be out shooting.

[SusanH1970]

I played with one of your images in CS3 and it's really not so much of a color issue, but the baby is underexposed. That's what makes her skin look off to you. I checked your EXIF and you used partial metering - try spot metering on her skin (I usually take a reading on the subject's cheek) and adjust your SS, Ap, and ISO from there till your meter reads 0. Custom white balance using a grey card is always a help, too.

If you shot these in RAW, the exposure can be fixed in post.

Hope this helps - she's such a cutie!

[DanaD]

I would properly expose and then apply a sepia tone. Sepia would look wonderful with the light pink and white and then mask your color issues

[sueq54172]

First off, thank you everyone for your help. The photo is underexposed. And I don't know if it's my monitor or not, but the photos look either blueish, reddish, or a little orange.

i'm extremely frustrated and after reading tons of internet articles and watching hours of youtube videos, I'm wondering if I really do need monitor calibration software.

Originally Posted by kencaleno

Auto color then use sliders in levels

Ken, I tried your advice and it worked great on some of the other photos. Originally the photos looked red and after auto correcting the white balance they looked blue. I used levels to correct them and these are the before and after shots:





Of course, now it looks too blue or green. UGH! I'm going nuts!
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_r39x9IpflVI/S6...7236levels.jpg