COLOUR CORRECTION

ND
Posted By
Nathan_Docwra
Dec 21, 2003
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282
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3
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I have just over six months colour correction experience, on average I colour correct easily 500 pictures a week. I was wondering how everyone else goes about their colour correction, so I can try and improve mine. I’m becoming a bit of a colour geek to be honest, and I want to get every photo perfect. Obviously; each picture has it’s own individual requirements, but as a general guide I’d be interested in how you guys and gals go about it.

My technique (remember I’m relatively new to this) is usually, Curves, and do the black, grey and white pointers, then adjust the RGB curves to add contrast and generally lighten the picture (if needed) I then do selectives to correct skin tones, then I size the picture up, sharpen, convert to CMYK, and save.

Also, what skin tones do you guys usually aim for for a normal white skin tone, mine is usually about C=5, M=20, Y=25, K=0.

I’d be really interested in your replies
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Gary_Hummell
Dec 22, 2003
For someone doing the volume and type of work you describe, I would suggest getting the book, Professional Photoshop 7, by Dan Margulis, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. He has a very well organized approach to color correction especially outputing to CMYK. It is probably the most useful 346 pages that I have.

Gary
SC
Scott Cunningham
Dec 25, 2003
Although color correcting in CMYK may be easier if you have print experience you will lose less data if you correct in RGB (assuming that the original image is scanned into RGB space) then converting afterwards.

Another critical point is how you determine where to select your shadow (black eyedropper), midtone (grey dropper) and highlight values (white dropper) This is critical to good correction.

Skin tone is only one area to look at and not always the best. Other areas are green grass and blue sky. These are called memory colors as these are all colors that people know at a glance and will notice immediately if they are off.

Other things that affect color is the lighting that is used in the shoot. I’ve color corrected for photographers who waited hours to get that perfect "magic light" near sunset only to have to butcher it because the client wanted the product in the shot to match exactly.

Good color correction is as much art as it is science. What it finally comes down to most of the time is if the final product is sellable. If the client likes it then move on to your next project. There are two other books that I would also recommend, "Real World Photoshop X" and "Photoshop X Artestry" (X is the latest version)

Good Luck!

wrote in message
I have just over six months colour correction experience, on average I
colour correct easily 500 pictures a week. I was wondering how everyone else goes about their colour correction, so I can try and improve mine. I’m becoming a bit of a colour geek to be honest, and I want to get every photo perfect. Obviously; each picture has it’s own individual requirements, but as a general guide I’d be interested in how you guys and gals go about it.
My technique (remember I’m relatively new to this) is usually, Curves, and
do the black, grey and white pointers, then adjust the RGB curves to add contrast and generally lighten the picture (if needed) I then do selectives to correct skin tones, then I size the picture up, sharpen, convert to CMYK, and save.
Also, what skin tones do you guys usually aim for for a normal white skin
tone, mine is usually about C=5, M=20, Y=25, K=0.
I’d be really interested in your replies
CC
Chris_Cox
Jan 10, 2004
The percentages needed for a "correct" skin tone will depend on the inks, press, paper stock, etc. that you use.

You might read Bruce Fraser’s "Real World Photoshop" for more practical details.

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