Photo Retouching - - color balance problem

The_Traveler · #1 01-02-2008, 08:09 AM

Here's my problem

This was a quick grab shot of my granddaughter in a mixed (very) lighting environment and a room with yellow walls and I can't seem to get a decent color.
She looks a little pale and a yellow tint seems to crop up whatever I do.

Any help would be appreciated.
If you rework please save the PSD with the layers and I will send me email address so I can se what you did.
Picture has been resized with only slight initial sharpening.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l6...n/a24a1f14.jpg

Swampy · #2 01-02-2008, 08:23 AM

Traveler, RTP is not about doing private tutorials. We are here to help each other and learn from each other. Emailing you a PSD file may help you, but it does nothing to help everyone else.

With that said, I've warmed up your photo (Photoshop). There are a number of ways to do this. You could add a Photo filter, but I prefer to use a Selective Color adjustment layer. I've included my settings. Adjust to your taste.

DCobb · #3 01-02-2008, 10:02 AM

This was my try. Did a little selective sharpening to eyes and mouth as well as color adjustment. Also, removed the hangnail on 4th finger.

dc

Xaran · #4 01-02-2008, 10:30 AM

Here's my attempt - used LAB mode and a curves adjustment layer to adjust the a and b channels.

Retouched the eyes and added a little more colour to the lips and cheeks.

Christine

edgework · #5 01-02-2008, 10:36 AM

Check out your red channel. You have large areas that are completely blown out and the rest is weak. Hot skin seldom means a red/magenta problem, it's usually a deficiency in cyan.

This image uses two Selective Color layers. The first simply adds cyan to both reds and yellow, twice as much to reds (about +30) as the yellow. This creates a really sickly cast with harsh yellow looking highlights in the hair, so a second layer addresses the yellows: -21 yellow, +20 magenta.

It's not finished, but now your skin values are giving readings like 9C30M30Y instead of 0C29m40Y, and so you're at a good place to start doing some serious work with contrast, shadows, etc.

http://edgework.tripod.com/samples/skinproblem.jpg

KR1156 · #6 01-02-2008, 10:48 AM

maybe just get rid of those yellow walls, make them neutral, less distrcating from the girl? just an opinion.

The_Traveler · #7 01-02-2008, 12:03 PM

Thanks to all who responded for all suggestions.
I clearly need to know a lot more than I do.

Any suggestions about books on color management of skin would be very welcome.

This is my best effort so far with adding cyan and magenta to all the yellows and lightening the shadows under her eyes.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l6...s/f47ebc7c.jpg

Daviskw · #8 01-02-2008, 12:43 PM

Hi there

I used selective color to reduce the yellow.. then a curves adjustment skin tone.

Butch

Joeven · #9 01-03-2008, 11:29 PM

It looks like there's more then one colour (Canadian spelling) cast. I trashed the background and tried removing the yellow using the eye dropper and info numbers but is still doesn't look right.

Joe

Stephen A · #10 01-04-2008, 12:00 AM

First I created a level adjustment layer and center the tones so they appeared normal. Then I created a "Selective Color" adjustment layer with A LOT of adjustment to yellow (C+6, M+17, Y-71, B+17), Red (M-17, Y+14, B+27).

After that I just tweaked hue on a hue/saturation adjustment layer to -5 and sank the saturation to -2... since you said she's pale :P

e: forgot to mention, I did a "Shadow/Highlight" adjustment to it - but the changes were nominal.

karin l · #11 01-04-2008, 12:57 AM

butch, I like your adjustments to this image
is that really all you did?
was it the curve that created the contrast?
this is my attempt
I used a neutralising curve for all but hair (hair went too green)
then a warmimg curve (subtracting yellow) for hair
then another with more contrast
2 soft light layers for doge and burn (based on a flat version of the green channel)
then lightened eyes and overall cuve for more contast and lightening in skin
any comments?
k

Daviskw · #12 01-04-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karin l

butch, I like your adjustments to this image
is that really all you did?
was it the curve that created the contrast?
this is my attempt
I used a neutralising curve for all but hair (hair went too green)
then a warmimg curve (subtracting yellow) for hair
then another with more contrast
2 soft light layers for doge and burn (based on a flat version of the green channel)
then lightened eyes and overall cuve for more contast and lightening in skin
any comments?
k

Hi Karin...good work

Those were the two big adjustments… I got the contrast and color by adjusting the curve of the red, green, and blue channels individually.

It has been awhile but I think I used a hue/saturation and another curve to even the shadow around the eyes.

I enhanced the eyes themselves and added a new catch light.

Butch

byrdman · #13 01-04-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Traveler

Any suggestions about books on color management of skin would be very welcome.

I would also welcome suggestions for tried-and-true books on this topic.

Swampy · #14 01-04-2008, 09:04 AM

Anything by Dan Margalis if you want some hard core color management.

Anything by Katrin Eisman if you want info on retouching and restoration including skin.

Gonzaga · #15 01-04-2008, 10:17 AM

Here is my version ... just some Hue/Saturation, Curves and Levels ... hope you like it. I left it a bit on the warmer side.

http://www.andreasresch.at/upload/Girl.jpg

Take care ... Andreas.