Why do so many real estate photos seem to have a reddish hue to them?
Jul 31, 2013 14:45:16 #
Hi Guys & Gals,
I have been shooting real estate photography (using an external bounce flash) for quite some time. It seems that very often (but not always) my interior photos have an unnatural reddish color tint to them. Initially I had attributed this problem to the new fangled light bulbs that everyone is switching to...but, I am starting to have my doubts. Can anyone tell me what causes this problem, and more importantly, what can be done to correct it? Up to this point, I have been doing color correction in the editing process...but, this has its limitations. Is there a filter or gel that can be used to minimize this problem? Your thoughts are always appreciated. Thanks!
I have been shooting real estate photography (using an external bounce flash) for quite some time. It seems that very often (but not always) my interior photos have an unnatural reddish color tint to them. Initially I had attributed this problem to the new fangled light bulbs that everyone is switching to...but, I am starting to have my doubts. Can anyone tell me what causes this problem, and more importantly, what can be done to correct it? Up to this point, I have been doing color correction in the editing process...but, this has its limitations. Is there a filter or gel that can be used to minimize this problem? Your thoughts are always appreciated. Thanks!
Jul 31, 2013 14:49:17 #
Try setting a custom white balance or if you shoot in RAW correct it during Post Proscessing.
Jul 31, 2013 15:04:42 #
Post a photo and click "store original" so we can see what you're talking about and the settings used.
Jul 31, 2013 15:21:40 #
jdubu
Loc: San Jose, CA
GoofyNewfie wrote:
Post a photo and click "store original" so we can see what you're talking about and the settings used.
Posting one that has good color and one that shows the problem you have would be good.
Sounds like you are encountering white balance problems. If some interior shots are ok, are they mostly natural light? The reddish ones from incandescent lighting (which has a lower color temperature, meaning redder/warmer)?
Our eyes adjust to the different color temps of light for the most part, a camera sensor/film do not adjust. They record the light temp as it is. That is why proper white balance is crucial to any color photo.
I shoot interiors also for interior designers, and kitchens can be a nightmare with the mix of flourescents, daylight, incandescents and now LED light sources. Proper white balance is the first step.
Jul 31, 2013 22:21:43 #
rsmith88 wrote:
Hi Guys & Gals, br br I have been shooting re... (show quote)
You can easily gel your flash to balance it with ambient lighting color. The problem comes in when you have more than two sources (different color) of light such as flash (~5-6M deg K), incandescent table and floor lamps (~2.7-3+M deg K), window light (6-9+M deg K), fluorescent (2.7-4.5M deg K).
I usually gel my flash to match the major ambient light source which in my church is ~2900 deg K. Since I shoot Canon which IMHO has a red bias I use a full or 3/4 CTS (rather than CTO) gel available from B & H for under $10 a sheet to last a lifetime (at least mine). See:
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-color-balance-your-flash-with-gels
For the gel see:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=CTS+gel&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
Aug 1, 2013 06:34:24 #
robert-photos wrote:
You can easily gel your flash to balance it with a... (show quote)
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: You hit the nail squarely on the head with this explanation of red shift and how to compensate.
Aug 1, 2013 08:44:49 #
Thanks for the feedback and explanations...very helpful. I will post few pics to illustrate the problem as soon as I can.
Aug 5, 2013 00:34:03 #
rsmith88 wrote:
Hi Guys & Gals, br br I have been shooting re... (show quote)
Reddish tint in my real estate photography is usually from regular old soft white incandescent bulbs. White ceiling spots usually don't do that. Fluorescent, unless they are meant to simulate daylight, are typically yellow-greenish. Daylight bulbs either come off as perfect or slightly blue.
It's a battle but you can't let yourself get obsessed with it. A reddish tint around lamps with soft white bulbs adds warmth to the room and that isn't all bad unless the whole room is red.
A bedroom of one I did Friday
Aug 5, 2013 03:24:40 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
Most earlier posters have suggested 'White Balance' in camera for starters. But being a professional photographer, you should know that. If you are not a professional, why are you worrying about colour balance? You are an amateur, and not being paid for taking photographs.
Aug 5, 2013 03:35:08 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
Pablo8 wrote:
Most earlier posters have suggested 'White Balance' in camera for starters. But being a professional photographer, you should know that. If you are not a professional, why are you worrying about colour balance? You are an amateur, and not being paid for taking photographs.
So, now only professionals need to worry about trying to improve their photography?????
Aug 5, 2013 09:06:01 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
Perhaps I put too much emphasis on the amateur needing to achieve colour balance. Sorry!! What I wanted to point out, was that all too often, people come on these pages asking how they should be taking their commercial-type photographs. If they are bona-fide professional photographers, they should have learned these basic skills when they were at college/uni', being taught their chosen profession. 'Shamateurs' are all too eager to carry out commercial work (cut price?) that would be the 'Bread & Butter' for the trained professional who is in a legitimate business.
Aug 5, 2013 09:23:12 #
Pablo8 wrote:
Most earlier posters have suggested 'White Balance' in camera for starters. But being a professional photographer, you should know that. If you are not a professional, why are you worrying about colour balance? You are an amateur, and not being paid for taking photographs.
Pablo8, I'll take your profile at its word -- that you've been a professional photographer for a long time -- but you're in considerable need of education in tact and encouragement. That response was the most arrogant and least helpful one I've seen in this group in a long time.
I assume you're here like the rest of us: to advance all aspects of photography. That means encouraging those who ask for help and answering their questions.
It's one thing to chastise someone for not doing their homework before asking (e.g., "You should search previous posts on that subject." ), it's quite another to say "How dare you ask that question."
Give the OP some credit for asking the question.
Aug 5, 2013 09:35:07 #
Pablo8 wrote:
Perhaps I put too much emphasis on the amateur nee... (show quote)
Sorry but there are no "college/uni" degrees that are logical or cost effective for taking on a sub-contracted part-time real estate photographer job. It's learned by experience and asking questions of others who do the same type of work. If you think the majority of professional photographers are "college/uni" educated, you think wrong. Of course, it's better to have a degree in photography/art/marketing but I'm not aware of anyone that's going to spend $50,000 to get a Bachelors so they can make $200 to $400 a week part time.
Arrogance don't cut it here so chill out.
Aug 5, 2013 10:29:03 #
I do agree that a slight reddish tint adds warmth. However, I often encounter situations where the entire room looks bathed in red. If the worst case scenario was comparable to the photo you posted, I would have no problem at all! Thanks for posting.
Aug 5, 2013 10:35:31 #
I was about to reply to Pablo8, but I think a few of the other members on this site already said all that needed to be said.
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