Skin tones, colors, and the ultra pro look?

[matthewkane]

I am just wondering what techniques are being employed with the color photos of these photographers.

The skin tones seem to be perfect and the pictures have a certain punch to them. Other than initial

good exposures and talented photography... what are they doing post process wise that is giving them

this (PUNCH). Their colors look great and seem very accurate. I have many photos I've taken with nice

exposures, in which I've added contrast, made curve adjustments, and saturation in photoshop, I shoot

in raw and adjust with camera raw, but my pics fail to live up to the vibrant appearance of these. What

am I missing? Is this a white balance technique? Any suggestions for me on how to learn more about

color? Any certain book? Tips?

Please have a look - <p><a href="http://www.morganlynnphotography.com">Here</a> <p>

<a href="http://www.jennawalkerphotography.com">And Here</a><p>

Thanks!

[mharris]

I'm no pro by any means but I think the very first thing to achieve is proper white balance. I always carry those Kodak white/gray cards with me. In tricky places I balance using those.

<img src="http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/mharris660/jade10web.jpg">

[garethspics]

Lighting, makeup and retouching.

[mag_miksch]

imo you see it in the shot from Michael, from the photo side its well done, but parts of the face look reddish, so very important for a perfect skin is on first place a perfect makeup. Regards Martin

[wogears]

I am NOT trying to be obnoxious (this time) but the examples you give show nothing more--nor less--than a good understanding of lighting and balance and processing. This is something that comes with knowledge (get a good book on portraits) and experience. Lots of experience.

[matthewkane]

What about select>color range? Do you think that is being used as an adjustment? The

reason I'm skeptical to believe it's just lighting and makeup is because a lot of these are

wedding photos are natural light or just on camera flash they are taken outdoors and

such. If you say it's retouching, (which I'm sure it is) any tips on the technique used? If you

look at the engagement section of the second link you will see the color rendition and skin

tones I am talking about. These are shot under any number of situtations. It's almost like

they enhance all the colors and the contrast apart from the skin tones and are adjusting

those seperately...? I'm unsure.

[matthewkane]

Great photo above, btw. I'm not sure they are using makeup for these engagement shots

though either...

[tonybeach]

Good lighting and accurate WB are the main issues, but it is also important to use an appropriate color profile and color mode for the camera if it is digital; or for film choose the right film and filters.

[John G.]

Matthew-

 

I think you're on the right track.

 

All images are composed of light and color, in Photoshop terms, Luminosity and Color. So, the way I do post production is through a curve in Luminosity Mode and another Curve in Color Mode. This keeps the two separate and allows for a more targeted correction.

 

I look at the image, if the color is well saturated but needs to be lightened, darkened, or lacks contrast then I adjust the curve in Luminosity Mode only (press F2 and see the drop down window). From there I can then decide if I want to adjust color in my Color Curve.

 

I use this method for 95% of my work, and I was taught CMYK prepress.

 

Good Luck!

[John G.]

uh, F2 might be a shortcut I created myself....

 

any adjustment layer curve should have the drop down window that allows for working in different modes, and any such curve can be changed to another mode once it's a layer or as Edit>Fade>.

[joe_williams3]

I'm learning a lot from Lee Varis' book SKIN. The book includes techniques for skin color adjustments and retouching. The little bit I've used so far has been very useful.

[matthewkane]

Thanks I will try these things mentioned here.

[tonybynum]

another vote for "SKIN," the book by Varis. . .

[teemu]

me too, another vote for "SKIN," the book by Varis. . .

[rickvandenberg]

<p>Before I answer your question, I'll post a picture that I believe illustrates your question about giving the picture a lot of punch.</p>

 

<p>Let me know if I'm on the right track, and I'll post details. Forgive me for the picture though -- it's a quick and dirty snap of one of my daughters while I was testing something out. </p>

<br>

<a href="http://vdbimageworks.com/cs/blogs/pipeline/archive/2007/11/06/give-your-pictures-that-knockout-punch.aspx"><img src="http://images.vdbimageworks.com/external/punch_example_1.jpg" border="0"></a>

[divo]

I keep tuning in for the exciting conclusion to Richard Vandenberg's technique, but it never comes! What gives? Do I have to buy the book? Don't leave me hanging man! ;^)

[rickvandenberg]

Devon - nobody let me know if I was making the right assumption, so I didn't carry on.

 

I had looked at the site Matthew pointed out, and the images looked like they had simply had a massive levels adjustment.

 

For this sample, all I did was use two levels layers and a vignette. The first level layer was essentially in "Auto Color" mode, and the second layer was with the input controls as 23/1.2/200. And the blending mode is luminosity.

 

I have to admit that I like the ultra-contrasty look with some images, at least on the web, but the shadows and highlights are destroyed.

[divo]

Thank you for your response Richard. Sorry, haven't interacted in the forums too much so I hadn't noticed that you responded until today (just found the response notice today.) BTW, I picked up the book "Skin" others have mentioned. Definitely, lots of thought provoking stuff there.

 

I like really contrasty shots too, but I think when it comes to style, you're always going to have those that like and those that don't: it tends to polarize groups.