Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you. The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 1: Uncomplicating Color It should be pretty simple, I see a colorful flower, I take a photo of it, download it, print it, and it should look just like what I saw. Except, many times it doesn't. Capturing and reproducing accurate colors was once one of the most frustrating and time-consuming things in the realm of digital photography. It can cause no end of problems for both … [Read more...] about The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 1: Uncomplicating Color
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Product Review: Spyder5ELITE Monitor Calibrator
Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you. Monitor calibration does not have to be difficult with a solid calibration device. Spyder 5 Elite Datacolor's new Spyder 5 Elite monitor calibrator is dead simple to use. The software installs from Datacolor's website. The Spyder 5 device is the same for the three versions of the product: Spyder5EXPRESS, Spyder5PRO, and Spyder5ELITE. The difference is in the software. Spyder5EXPRESS ~ Hobbyist … [Read more...] about Product Review: Spyder5ELITE Monitor Calibrator
Living & Loving Color Calibration
Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you. Check out the links at the end of the article for more info and how to take advantage of Datacolor's upgrade pricing. Color management is a bug-a-boo to lots of photographers. It doesn't have to be a hassle at all. Once it's set up, it's mostly automatic. I say "mostly" because monitors have to be recalibrated every couple of months and that's no big deal. The calibration software reminds when it's time to … [Read more...] about Living & Loving Color Calibration
How I Calibrated My Monitor for the First Time
(Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you.) For years, I was uncertain of how to approach monitor calibration. I was trusting of my iMac 5K's screen, and knew that it got me (what I thought were) pretty good results. But after reading more and more about the benefits of calibration, I decided to bite the bullet, going with the Datacolor Spyder5ELITE+. Why I Chose to Calibrate As I've developed as a photographer, I've printed more and more of my work. … [Read more...] about How I Calibrated My Monitor for the First Time
The Benefits of Color Calibration
Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you. Calibrating your display and looking for an upgrade? Switch to Spyder5ELITE+ today from ANY brand for $139! A photographer walks into a bar... A couple of art directors are chatting over their beverages. The photographer, sitting nearby overhears their conversation. One of them says "Did you see those pictures we got yesterday? They were all dark." The other art director replies "Not a problem. I just made … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Color Calibration
Benefits of Color Calibration
Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you. Calibrating your display and looking for an upgrade? Switch to Spyder5ELITE+ today from ANY brand for $139! A photographer walks into a bar... A couple of art directors are chatting over their beverages. The photographer, sitting nearby overhears their conversation. One of them says "Did you see those pictures we got yesterday? They were all dark." The other art director replies "Not a problem. I just made … [Read more...] about Benefits of Color Calibration
How to Match the Color of Two Objects in Photoshop
In this tutorial, I show you a little-used command in Photoshop which makes it easy to match the color of two objects. This is great for product photography, matching two skies, or even skin tones on two portraits. This quick tip will unlocl a whole new way of thinking of color. https://youtu.be/LmqRggkoORs … [Read more...] about How to Match the Color of Two Objects in Photoshop
Lee Varis’ 10-Channel Workflow – Part-3
Picking up where we left off in part-2... Now for the really fun stuff... make a new empty layer at the top of the layer stack. Then select Image-> Apply Image... from the menu bar at the top... We are going to grab a copy of the b channel from the Lab document and put it into that empty layer. Set up the resulting dialog as shown... The grayscale "b" channel has a unique tonal rendering that makes it especially well suited to applying it in Overlay blend mode... This final Overlay blend darkens the sky … [Read more...] about Lee Varis’ 10-Channel Workflow – Part-3
Lee Varis’ 10-Channel Workflow – part-2
Picking up where we left off in part-1... Now lets look at enhancing the color saturation. Of course this could be done with a Hue/Saturation adjustment, but we will do this another way to gain access to the channels of the Lab version of this image. Duplicate the document (Image-> Duplicate...) check the Merged Layers checkbox & rename with Lab... Convert this duplicate to Lab... Now we will use a little trick to boost the saturation. First apply a Curves adjustment layer, but don't make any changes to the curve. Then … [Read more...] about Lee Varis’ 10-Channel Workflow – part-2
Lee Varis’ 10-Channel Workflow – part-1
Despite the wishes of most avid photographers, the photographic image is not really finished at the moment of capture. Every image can benefit with some level of post processing, even if it is just a modest adjustment in white balance or contrast. Most people never realize the potential of a captured image because they stop well before exploring all the enhancements that are possible. It is my belief that you don't know how good an image can be until you've pushed it too far! Meet the 10-channel Workflow I have a basic image enhancement … [Read more...] about Lee Varis’ 10-Channel Workflow – part-1
How to Desaturate Shadows in Photoshop, for 3D Contrast
Digital capture technology is really awesome and has truly changed photography, improving it in a multitude of ways. But sometimes, digitally captured images have a certain exaggerated colorfulness, that just looks a little off, for those of us raised on the old fashioned film days! I have found that this has to do with the way color gets saturated as contrast increases. Even standard rendering presets increase contrast a bit through a global RGB composite curve, often indirectly. It seems that when contrast increases this way a … [Read more...] about How to Desaturate Shadows in Photoshop, for 3D Contrast
Photographer of the Day – Paul
Photographer: Paul - Raphael Hey everyone!! It’s me, Kristina Sherk, back with today’s Photographer of the Day! Today I want to highlight a man named Paul. I came across a couple images by Paul in the Photofocus Flickr community and I am so impressed! He truly has a gift for capturing joy within his subjects. Each image has more emotion than the one before it. Awesome work, Paul! I love how sharp this image is, and all of the detail in the man’s face. As a DC headshot photographer myself, I love portraits that help you connect with the … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day – Paul
Photographer of the Day – Regina Pagles
Photographer: Regina Pagles - Captain Spaghetti Head Hi everyone! Kristina Sherk here – I am excited to present today’s portrait photographer of the day, the very talented Regina Pagles! This is such a great shot, it totally made me smile this morning when I found it in the Photofocus Flickr community. Regina has amazing vision and excellent compositing skills, see for yourself! The subject of this image is a local owner of a restaurant in town. We agree, Regina, Alex looks great with spaghetti on his head! I’m definitely inspired to have … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day – Regina Pagles
Instant Replay: Enhancing Color in Lightroom with Wes Maggio
This Lightroom hangout is all about making your color images look their best. Wes Maggio will join us to share his favorite tips along with Rob Sylvan and Levi Sim. Lightroom has several ways to adjust color, and we're going to show you all of them--even the secret tools which are hidden in plain sight. Hosted by: Rob Sylvan and Levi Sim Produced by: Rich Harrington and Photofocus.com https://youtu.be/nw8hnn3G_RM?t=2m4s … [Read more...] about Instant Replay: Enhancing Color in Lightroom with Wes Maggio
Manually Set Your White Balance For Accurate Color
Photography Basics - Learn How To Set Your WB All photographers need to know at least something about white balance. You can set it in the camera or you can fix it in post. If you want to fix it in post, I generally recommend that photographers shoot in RAW mode, which means that you can easily reset your white balance in post as if you had done it in the field. But that does mean that you spend (waste) time in post when you could have easily done the right thing in camera. I have come to a point in my life where I realize that I … [Read more...] about Manually Set Your White Balance For Accurate Color
Free ColorChecker Webinar with PF Author Kevin Ames
The X-Rite ColorChecker is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It was originally created to help photographers get consistent results in color balance and exposure from one film emulsion lot to another. Today, the ColorChecker has become the photographic industry standard for obtaining accurate color and perfect exposures too. I'm presenting The Beginner Photographer's Secret Weapon: Why + How the Pros use ColorCheckers as a free webinar Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at !2:00pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Register for this free webinar … [Read more...] about Free ColorChecker Webinar with PF Author Kevin Ames
Photo of the Day: Path to the Unknown Destination
Category: Architecture/Landscape Photography by Nadeem Ahmad Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr page. There's no denying the power of autumn's colors when you look at images like Nadeem's. The smattering of reds and oranges draws the eye and the trail pulls us in. The stark grey tree trunks enhance the image's charm. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please https://photofocus.com/2015/10/02/photofocus-puts-the-spotlight-on-you/ … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Path to the Unknown Destination
Lightroom Hangout: Lies Cameras Tell
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday 2/15 at 2:00 pm Eastern, 1:00 pm Central, 12:00 pm Mountain, and 11:00 am Pacific. 3:30 pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. This Month: Conquering … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout: Lies Cameras Tell
Extracting From A Green Screen – The LAB Trick
If youre shooting in a studio for compositing with Photoshop then you may be using a grey or green backdrop. I was spending a long time making masks until I saw this cool tip from Photoshop trainer Dave Cross, the time its saved me, thanks Dave! Open the images For this example Ive got two images, one of a wall and then one of a young lady listening to music, if youd like to work along theyre both available from Fotolia. The wall is a black and white image, but Im looking to have the image in greyscale so this shouldn't be an issue. It should … [Read more...] about Extracting From A Green Screen – The LAB Trick
ColorChecker Now for Video!
The color management mavens extraordinaire at X-Rite have just announced two new products for photographers who shoot video with video cameras or with DSLRs... ColorChecker Video and ColorChecker Passport Video. Color management comes to video Frequent Photofocus readers know I am a huge proponent of using X-Rite's ColorCheckers to ensure my still photographs are color accurate. I have used the standard 24-patch target since 1981 when I purchased my first one (still have it.) Then, I used it to determine the filter pack for a given emulsion of … [Read more...] about ColorChecker Now for Video!
Aesthetic Judgments: Composition, Color & Story
In the first part of my thoughts on aesthetic judgments I introduced the first two considerations on my list of five that inform my work. This post discusses the rest of them starting with... Composition Composition is the pleasing expression of the elements in a space. I prefer to lock the camera on a tripod then adjust the elements in the frame. Shooting tethered into a computer also assists me in this quest. Finally, I always give myself permission to frame my subject loosely to allow for cropping. No where in any of the works on … [Read more...] about Aesthetic Judgments: Composition, Color & Story
Saving A Photoshop Look Up Table
If you use adjustment layers to create a look in Photoshop and want to be able to replicate it then Look Up Tables, or LUTs, are the answer; For this example I'm using an image from Fotolia. Using three adjustment layers I've created a 'cross processed / high contrast' type of look. So how do i save this for future? Saving A Look Up Table From the File Menu choose Export > Color Look Up Tables; When you choose this a new dialogue box appears; Choose a name, copyright name and format and then adjust the quality. Click OK. You'll then … [Read more...] about Saving A Photoshop Look Up Table
Using Match Color Command with Two Photos in Photoshop
If you have an object that appears in two photos, Photoshop makes it easier to use both objects to better match color. In this example, we'll select an object in both images and then apply a color adjustment to make the two areas match. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmqRggkoORs Explore Match Color in this tutorial. Watch more at … [Read more...] about Using Match Color Command with Two Photos in Photoshop
Using a Levels Adjustment to Remove a Color Cast in Photoshop
If you shoot under mixed lighting or with the wrong white balance preset, you can get a nasty color cast or tint in your photo. Fortunately this is an easy fix in Photoshop which can analyze the image and fix it for you with minimal work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTNi9uHKH-0 Find out how to remove a color cast in Photoshop. This tutorial explains how to use levels to adjust color in an image. Watch more at … [Read more...] about Using a Levels Adjustment to Remove a Color Cast in Photoshop
Professional Color with Lightroom’s Camera Calibration
I started photography by shooting film in high school just before the turn of the century, and I don't miss film one bit. Its so wonderful to see a photograph on the back of the camera and see how the composition and the highlights are working, and then make changes. I don't know what I learned in school, but I learned it all again the first day I shot with a DSLR by looking at the LCD and making a change and trying again. Its powerful, but if you shoot RAW it may be frustrating, too. The camera shows a JPEG preview, and that just doesn't often … [Read more...] about Professional Color with Lightroom’s Camera Calibration
Targeted Color Adjustments in Photoshop
Learn how to easily make targeted color adjustments of a single object in Photoshop using selections, adjustment layers, and layer masks. … [Read more...] about Targeted Color Adjustments in Photoshop
Change Eye Color Using Affinity Photo
In this video, I take a look at how you can change eye color using Affinity Photo. This tutorial covers selections, adjustments, and masking. … [Read more...] about Change Eye Color Using Affinity Photo
Fixing What you see is NOT what you get when Printing
The most common printing problem of WYSINWYG "What you see is NOT what you get" is a non-calibrated monitor. Here is the scenario: You spent hours editing an image; selecting the right colors, making sure the shadows are just right, the black point isn't clipped and so on. You print the image and it's not what you see on your screen. You're confused. When you sent the same image off to a professional lab like Miller's, Bay Photos or Mpix, the image looks great. But when you print from home or print at Walmart the image looks bad. What's going … [Read more...] about Fixing What you see is NOT what you get when Printing
Removing Color Cast in Photoshop
In the first Levels example you made a Levels adjustment to all the channels evenly. In the Auto-Levels example, you let Photoshop adjust the levels and remove color cast using an automated algorithm. The Levels command can be further isolated to a specific channel by clicking the drop-down list in the center of the Levels dialog box. This allows you to tackle color cast issues, such as spill from a background, a bad white balance, or a photo shot under mixed or colored lighting. Step 1. Open the file Levels_Color_Balance.jpg (provided for … [Read more...] about Removing Color Cast in Photoshop
Color Matching : How I Got the Shot
In today's installment of How I Got the Shot, let's look at creating a fantasy shot that couldn't exist in the real world. I looked for a location to photograph Princess Leia in a galaxy far, far away and found a perfect Space City. Well, actually, the Space City didn't exist so I had to search for one. My search lead me to deviantART, a web based community designed to communicate, collaborate and learn from artists from over 190 countries. It was there I found the perfect Space City for the Princess. I asked the talented artist Cyril from … [Read more...] about Color Matching : How I Got the Shot
