Are these skin tones wrecked, or good?

[R.ticle One]

Hey everyone, I've been dealing with the old PP of skin tones which have sometimes turned out completely wrong (wrong WB, general poor use of settings when starting out, etc.) - It would be really helpful if some of you could tell me if these skin tones are okay, too toned a wrong way, or washed out, etc....

I don't know if you like the shot itself, for me I like it as a totally impromptu snapshot of a fun moment. But I'd like to know if I'm doing any good with the skin in shots. Really appreciate any help that you can offer! Thanks very much.

R.ticle One

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o268/R-Ticle_One/4FriendsPileUnframedCrop1.jpg

[Robert_Lay]

Much depends on the calibration of your monitor and on my monitor. Assuming that we are both properly calibrated (that's a big assumption), then comes the issue of what color is the subject. I take it for granted that the Asian complexions are different from our average Caucasion complexions.

Fortunately, some of these issues can be resolved through the use of the standard 18%
Gray card - either through its inclusion in the image, or through its use in setting the camera's White Balance.

Please take a look at the following references:

Tutorial on Use of the Gray Card for Exposure and White Balance:
http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/GrayCardTutorial.htm
or the downloadable PDF version:
http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/GrayCardTutorial.pdf

[R.ticle One]

Thanks for the links! Too bad that I only found out about the gray card method after I took hundreds of shots this summer - d'oh!

As far as calibration goes, mine is currently done using Adobe Gamma - not a full, device aided cal., but what I've got now, and I recalibrate regularly.

Any thoughts on the tones anyone sees on their screens?

Thanks again. :D

R.ticle One

[Robert_Lay]

Having already given you the technical answer, I will go way out on a limb and give you a subjective answer.

I think the skin tones you provide in your image look very good! That does not mean much, in that there is wide latitude in what one means by good. However, I use it here to mean that I do not see anything wrong with the skin tones, and I hope you can appreciate that as being more meaningful.

[MALI]

Did you do any skin smoothing in pp? Especially the girl at the bottom of the pile looks too smooth.

[R.ticle One]

My appreciation again. The technical answer has provided me with a future means of assuring a better white balance. And your subjective answer has provided me with the reassurance that I'm on the right track in that regard, despite the wide latitude with which the term good could be used. Good on you, it helps very much. :D

R.ticle One

[R.ticle One]

Did you do any skin smoothing in pp? Especially the girl at the bottom of the pile looks too smooth.

Ah, posted just after my above response - you know, I thought the same thing, but I definately didn't - the closest thing to it I suppose was running a light Noise Ninja filter, but I think that I used it's USM and contrast settings appropriately to retain the facial detail. Very interesting, I think you may have hit on one thing that I couldn't quite name. Any suggestions?

R.ticle One

[MALI]

It is a very nice impromptu shot of a fun moment like you said. The colors are fine, it looks sharp; girls seem to be having fun... Especially I liked the way the girl on the very top posed. Maybe a little tiny contrast enhancement might do some good.

[R.ticle One]

It is a very nice impromptu shot of a fun moment like you said. The colors are fine, it looks sharp; girls seem to be having fun... Especially I liked the way the girl on the very top posed. Maybe a little tiny contrast enhancement might do some good.

Thanks, I will have a go at the contrast, something I've been working on in regards to trying not to lose facial detail if correcting funny WB.

R.ticle One