Normalizing output from two different cameras

<p>Lately I have been shooting pictures with another photographer intended for use in the same final (digital) eLearning production. Two different manufacturers (and lenses), two different flashes and multiple locations in a building (sometimes the same for both cameras, sometimes different). Locations are outside, inside -- the inside ones often have wildly varying lighting.</p>

<p>We want to minimize the visible colour/white balance and exposure differences straight off the cameras and minimize potential post processing.</p>

<p>I am a loss as to how to approach this problem. Any ideas?</p>

<p>I would recommend both of you placing a gray card in an inconspicuous corner of the image, one that can be easily cropped or retouched out. Use the gray dropper tool in the curves tab. That way both will be normalized to a color balance that is equivalent to a neutral 18% gray. Very simple and very effective.</p>

<p>Just shoot a gray card and a color chart at the beginning of each session. In post-processing, use the gray card to set WB and the color chart to fine tune the color rendition.</p>

<p>You have to shoot RAW do make this work.</p>

<p><Chas><br /></p>

<p>..or; how about loading a custom curve into each camera referenced to white, black and gray. Repeat for flash operations.</p>

<p>DXO software may be your answer. It has color profiles for most popular cameras and you can select your output to 'match' whichever camera you choose regardless of what you shot with (as long as the body is supported by DXO).</p><div></div>

<p>How bad is the existing problem? Or, are you anticipating?</p>

<p>For example, say you are photographing in tungsten. How different is that going to be from one camera to another? 3200K is 3200K. </p>