How can I achieve brilliant colours like this photo?

[allan2635]

Hi,
I'd really appreciate it anyone could give me some tips on how I can take pictures with my G2 to achieve colours like this photo. I believe the person who took this photo used a G2 himself. I tried emailing the photographer but his the mail keeps bouncing back. I'm an amateur when it comes to photography and would like to know if there are special lenses/filters that I should use? thnx for the help.

:)
allan

http://www.clubbersnation.com/lamp.jpghttp://www.clubbersnation.com/m_lights.jpg
http://www.clubbersnation.com/pg1.jpg
http://www.clubbersnation.com/trees.jpg

[Andy_T]

You could use a circular polarizing filter to get a deep blue sky. That's not as easy on the G2 as it is on an SLR, as you can not judge the effect very effectively on the small LCD. There are some threads on tis forum with advice for using circular polarizing filters on digicam, do a forum search!

The other option is to set the saturation to 'high'.
However, this sometimes leads to colors that are perceived as too strong (like the third one of your examples, showing the photographer) . The question is if you want to capture nature 'as it is' or if you want to enhance it. Second question is when the pictures start looking artificial.

If you shoot raw (which IMHO you should, for many reasons :)), you can correct the saturation value when converting the picture in, say, Breezebrowser. You could also edit the picture in Photoshop and increase the saturation value.

Last point would be to use ISO 50, wherever possible.
Unless you really need that fast low light shot and using a tripod is not possible, you should stay with 50, as it brings the best and most vibrant colour rendition.

Edit: Also - calibrate your monitor and use custom color profiles to match the printer when you also want to print out that great colours.

Regards,
Andy

[CyberDyneSystems]

I concur that the above photos most likely included a polarizer filter...

[w10d]

Apart from a polarizing filter on the sky, there are loads of ways of controlling the saturation component of images in Photoshop.

Simple, but very powerful, is the Hue/Saturation command. (Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation or Cmnd U). Use the Edit drop down menu to pick a colour to work on, then you can use the sliders at the bottom to expand and feather the range of the effect. Don't forget that changes in saturation often work well accompanied by Lightness adjustments, (bottom slider).

Just take care if you're working in a colour space larger than your monitor can display :)

[allan2635]

thnx for the help all of you :) 1 more question. are circular polarizers only meant to be used outdoors?

[mwinog2777]

allan2635 wrote:
thnx for the help all of you :) 1 more question. are circular polarizers only meant to be used outdoors?


yes, outdoors,only

[mwinog2777]

Could use a polarizing filter.

Or, do what I do:

There's a PS free filter plug-in called Flaming Pear. There's an option in it called Kyoto color. In Kyoto, choose "darken". Then increase saturation, and change hue to get results you want. This is the most amazing filter I have ever worked with.

You won't need polarizing filter ever again.

[mwinog2777]

The picture below was done with flaming pear/kyoto/darken, and a limited amount of PS tweaking; no need for polarizing filter. Passe'.

http://members.cox.net/mwinog2777/fpemail.jpg