Really struggling with colour correcting my images.....

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

I'm having massive troubles with my digital workflow, so first off I'm wondering - which method do people use to colour balance/correct their images, in LR or PS?

I mainly use LR2, but CS sometimes - I mainly ask because the Kelby books I've got outline a couple of different methods, so I was wondering what people use.

Until now I've just done white balance, but this largely becomes a subjective judgement, is problematic when I don't even know how accurate my monitor's colours are (despite using my X-rite i1, which is causing all sorts of frustration), and I struggle to maintain consistency between images.

So, any advice on this particular aspect?

I'm nowhere near printing yet, and I realise that's a whole other aspect.

[emPhoto]

I feel your pain...

For info, I only use LR for my entire workflow.

Lets start right at the beginning:

1. Do you shoot RAW?
2. Do you use any calibration before tripping the shutter? (Gray cards, expodisc etc etc).
3. Post up some images out of camera and then when you have attempted to colour correct them.

Thanks,

em :)

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

1)yes, raw

2)nothing

3)give me a day or two, working on a batch now :-)

[emPhoto]

Sweet. Thanks. :)

[sejac]

For workflow Gus, Lightroom is the way to go.

If you are unable to get your monitor calibrated, try getting a reference image - a pic of something that you know is correct as far as color etc goes. Then you have a point of comparison.

In Adelaide, Paul Atkins at Atkins Technicolor makes such an image available to his customers.

Charles

[Lost]

I start in Lightroom Gus and only use PS if I really need to. LM is just so much faster

This may help with calibrations (http://www.blackandwhitephoto.com.au/professional-photographers/monitor-calibration.php)

Good luck with, experience makes it easier so keep at it

Cheers :)

[Hokey]

Get yourself a greycard and you will never look back.

[antsan]

Remember this thread? As part of our Birthday Celebration, today i am Bumping the very first thread posted in each part of the forum.. you could call it a walk down memory lane!!

Sometimes it is worth going back to the start to see where it all began, and even re-igniting treads long gone!

[k8*]

This is an interesting thread actually.

I never use a grey card - I am wondering should I? Why?

[twistednoodle]

Yes the grey card - must hunt for a tutorial or something on how and why you should use this!

[flap]

i wouldn't mind knowing too -- im elite and still do the old 'Auto' trick haha

[duckman]

dont use a grey card, do on occasion when needed use WB off something that is meant to be pretty close to white.
Have found since monitor upgrade (from an older Samsung to a U2410) a huge difference with a better calibration and correct workspace profile.
Much easier to get a truer colour & when printed it is the same as what I was viewing on the monitor.

[Lost]

book marking for later

[gerry]

i wouldn't mind knowing too -- im elite and still do the old 'Auto' trick haha

lol, yeah, I am also in the AUTO camp as well for most of the time, WB is something that is easily corrected if you shoot raw.