Need some help with color!

[bcbenson2]

I did some group shots for a Boyscout training course this morning, but I can't seem to get the color right in the large group shot. I've been playing with it for awhile trying to get it to look natural, and all i've produced is a shot that looks to photoshoped with the colors.

Any and all help appreciated!

Brian

[MaxxuM]

Did you shot in RAW? If so there may be more to work with.


I'm no pro, but it looks like most of the light was frontal (heavy shadow cast by guide-on) and it looks a tad harsh. There are also a lot of browns (uniforms and walls) and OD-Green.


From a novice point of view, I would say more (diffused) light from the sides and shot in RAW format.

[chestercopperpot]

Can you post some EXIF data? I would be curious what ISO you used. If your ISO was low, it would have helped to bump it up - and lower the shutter speed quite a bit - so you could capture more ambient light which would have made the entire photo more natural looking. Then you could have bounced the flash off a wall above or near you to help fill in some of the shadows. There is also the possibility that depending on the room and with a large group like this you might have needed two light sources to really properly get this shot. But I think the first portion would have helped enough to get more what you are looking for. Hope that helps a little!

[Sweedishcarrot01]

Actually looks ok on my screen. You could add a little hue, and maybe 25% sepia filter. Perhaps like 10% saturation on all colours except red, adjust the levels too. Have a play with those suggestions. However, if your moniter isn't calibrated then your effort is in vain...

[bcbenson2]

wow, thanks for all the responses, this forum rocks.

If I had had more time during the shoot to get the flash setup a bit better that would have definitely helped, but they were on a tight schedule and rushing me to finish up.

for those that requested it the exif info was:

Shot in RAW
Model: Canon EOS 30D
Date taken: Saturday, May 19, 2007 9:17:07 A
Exposure time [s]: 1/50
Exposure program: Manual
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure bias [EV]: 0.0
F-Number: F8.0
Focal length [mm]: 18
ISO value: 400
Shutter speed [s]: 1/50
Aperture: F8
Flash: Fired, compulsory flash mode, red-eye reduction
White balance: Auto
Colour space: sRGB

After some consideration I think my issue was that I kept layering adjustments on top of each other. So this morning I went back to the RAW image, tweaked it a bit, and then did some minimal adjustments. I think I have it to a point where its acceptable now.

I do have a calibrated monitor btw. Also if anybody has any more comments or critiques they are very welcome!

Thanks!
Brian

[chestercopperpot]

wow! I like that a lot better. the faces are a touch bright, but way better. good work.