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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Software => Photoshop Discussion => Topic started by: mtkang on February 23, 2011, 05:29

Title: color cast questions
Post by: mtkang on February 23, 2011, 05:29

Hi all,

I am wondering do we need to remove color cast always? when we should remove and are there cases we should keep the color cast?

I got this image i took during late afternoon sun, and there is a yellow cast due to the sun. W/B is set 'daylight'.
(http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/6398/imgp6496copy5.jpg)
By mtkang (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mtkang) at 2011-02-23

since i shoot raw, so i can remove the color cast easily, by changing W/B to 'auto WB'.

(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4513/imgp6496copy24.jpg)
By mtkang (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mtkang) at 2011-02-23

I took the image for editorial purpose, so i wonder do i need to remove the yellow cast? as a buyer, will the buyer reject the pictures that comes with sunset cast?

I may just go for the one without color cast, since this picture doesn't interpret anything about sunset. what do you think? if there is time we should leave the colour cast as it?

thank you.

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: rimglow on February 23, 2011, 09:09

I prefer the first image with the sunset cast. The colors are much richer and vibrant. The second image looks like it was shot on a cloudy day.

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: etienjones on February 23, 2011, 10:49

Try this Photoshop Technique on that image and see if you like it.  Its a technique for removing color cast which, I believe, I first saw on this forum but I really can't remember. Anyway:


Duplicate background layer.
Apply “Average” Blur to that Duplicate layer  
Open levels or curves and use mid-tone eye dropper to that layer.  
Remove or make invisible the Duplicated Layer.

Try it, sometimes it brings interesting results.

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: mtkang on February 23, 2011, 10:55

thanks ringlow and etienjones for suggestions..

is the original sunset yellow cast images will keep buyer away?

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: madelaide on February 23, 2011, 16:12

Why can't I see the images?  :-\

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: Elenathewise on February 23, 2011, 16:14

I'd try something in the middle.

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: mtkang on February 24, 2011, 01:02

i tried to adjust something in the middle..do u adjust W/B based on 'feelings'?

(http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5606/imgp6496copy6.jpg)
By mtkang (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mtkang) at 2011-02-23

Quote from: mtkang on February 23, 2011, 05:29

Hi all,

I am wondering do we need to remove color cast always? when we should remove and are there cases we should keep the color cast?

I got this image i took during late afternoon sun, and there is a yellow cast due to the sun. W/B is set 'daylight'.
([url]http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/6398/imgp6496copy5.jpg[/url])
By mtkang ([url]http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mtkang[/url]) at 2011-02-23

since i shoot raw, so i can remove the color cast easily, by changing W/B to 'auto WB'.

([url]http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4513/imgp6496copy24.jpg[/url])
By mtkang ([url]http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mtkang[/url]) at 2011-02-23

I took the image for editorial purpose, so i wonder do i need to remove the yellow cast? as a buyer, will the buyer reject the pictures that comes with sunset cast?

I may just go for the one without color cast, since this picture doesn't interpret anything about sunset. what do you think? if there is time we should leave the colour cast as it?

thank you.

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: Elenathewise on February 24, 2011, 11:46

Quote from: mtkang on February 24, 2011, 01:02

i tried to adjust something in the middle..do u adjust W/B based on 'feelings'?

I like the "something in the middle" version. Still bright but not too yellow. With color cast, it can often be tricky. The longer you look at the image, the more "normal" it seems to you - our brain has a sneaky way to adjust to the color cast and perceive it as new "normal". It's like wearing tinted ski goggles for a day and then when you take them off everything seems weird color. So what I'd recommend is this: when you stared at the image long enough that you're not sure anymore if the color is right, leave the desk and go around the room or look out of the window for a while - to reset the color calibration in your brain. If the image on the screen still looks "right" after this, you're done. More often then not however I'd came back to the monitor and be surprised - wow this is purple! (or yellow or whatever). So you can't always trust your "feelings" - only when you're sure your "base" color comprehension is unaltered.

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: rinderart on February 24, 2011, 14:20

Quote from: Elenathewise on February 23, 2011, 16:14

I'd try something in the middle.

So would I.

Title: Re: color cast questions
Post by: mtkang on February 24, 2011, 20:16

thank you everyone for giving me some ideas of what to do. Thanks!