Ep 159: Snapshot: How to get accurate colours in photos and should you give away your raw files?

Sometimes, you need to capture true to life colours – like when taking photos of products, for advertising, artwork and so on. You need to be able to reflect the colours that you see in real life. However, many factors can impact the way your colours are represented in your final shot.

Gina and Valerie discuss what you need to do to ensure that your pics look like the real thing. They cover shooting in raw, fixing in post production, lighting and more.

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Show notes

 

Shoot raw

For best results use a single neutral lightsource

  • Daylight
  • Flash using all the same flash brands and matching modifiers.
  • Older flash modifiers will give different colour casts
  • So will different flash or continuous lighting brands
  • Cheaper the light the more likely it is to have a colour cast.

Find neutral point by using a grey card

It’s worthwhile spending a few extra dollars on a grey card, particularly if colour is important
High End X-Rite ColorChecker Passport Photo
Budget Vello White Balance Card Set for Digital Photography (Small, 3.25 x 2″)

Adjust white balance in lightroom or photoshop
Change colour using photoshop or lightroom

Open lightroom and use adjustment brush to mask area to be coloured

 To choose colour click on colour palette ( icon looks like a small envelope)

Next level

Calibrate your monitor

Output to web in SRGB colour space
Output for print ( ask lab for best colour profile)

More info

EP 124 SET YOUR PIXELS FREE: HOW TO OPTIMISE IMAGES FOR PRINT

50 SHADES OF GREY CARD: HOW TO GET YOUR WHITE BALANCE RIGHT (MINUS THE HEADACHES)

Should you give away your raw files?

From: Russell Thomas

“Hi – just a question for the group. I’m starting to get a few requests to send photos unretouched and unedited – not sure if this is a trend emerging (until about 4 months ago I’d never been asked for this, in the last month I’ve had 3x requests for it). I don’t usually do much in the way of retouching anyway, and usually back myself to get things right in camera, and am more than happy for people to see what comes out of the camera – but usually I also like to get rid of pimples, bags under eyes etc, as well as adjust shadows, contrast etc a little. I’m a bit worried that people aren’t going to like their spotty skin and dark circles under their eyes (sometimes makeup only does so much). Keen for a few other opinions around whether people here would send unretouched or not. On one hand, I think if that’s what they’ve asked for, then fair enough (and saves me a heap of time), but on the other hand, a little retouching (in moderation) can always make an image a bit better. What are people’s thoughts?”

The answer is in this episode!

How to direct and pose like a pro

About Gina

About Gina

Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’... READ MORE

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