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realistic skin tones
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Jan 29, 2014 08:12:34   #
drydock Loc: mackay, queensland australia
 
I am struggling to get realistic skin tones in lightroom. I took these images recently of my daughters at sunset with fill in flash. I used JPEG fine and RAW. The first image is the JPEG and the second is the RAW. AS you can see the image detail is much better in the RAW image but I feel the skin tones are much more realistic on the untouched JPEGS. the RAW images are too shiny and the colour is just not right. I have fiddled with the white balance, tried the HSL tabs to get the right skin tone and used the adjustment brush with the softer skin setting to try and get the sheen on the faces less evident but am still unhappy. Any suggestions gratefully accepted. Please feel free to play with the RAW image

Original JPEG file
Original JPEG file...
(Download)

RAW converted to JPEG for UHH
RAW converted to JPEG for UHH...
(Download)

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Jan 29, 2014 09:01:00   #
Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas
 
drydock wrote:
I am struggling to get realistic skin tones in lightroom. I took these images recently of my daughters at sunset with fill in flash. I used JPEG fine and RAW. The first image is the JPEG and the second is the RAW. AS you can see the image detail is much better in the RAW image but I feel the skin tones are much more realistic on the untouched JPEGS. the RAW images are too shiny and the colour is just not right. I have fiddled with the white balance, tried the HSL tabs to get the right skin tone and used the adjustment brush with the softer skin setting to try and get the sheen on the faces less evident but am still unhappy. Any suggestions gratefully accepted. Please feel free to play with the RAW image
I am struggling to get realistic skin tones in lig... (show quote)


I think the "raw" picture would have been a little better if the flash hadn't been so close to the girls. I can only guess that maybe you didn't have a telephoto lens and had to be closer to your subjects. I do like your post processing. The skin tones are much easier on the eyes.

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Jan 29, 2014 10:39:38   #
Bill Houghton Loc: New York area
 
As Penny Mentioned, you flash is giving you the problem. You might want to get a diffuser for it. Some thing like a piece of wax paper, a white plastic bag over the flash with a rubber band. Something to reduce the glare.

If you are really wanting to make this a keeper, just down load Gimp a free program, and air brush out the glare.

Do you mind if I post a quick clean up.

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Jan 29, 2014 13:49:37   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
drydock wrote:
I am struggling to get realistic skin tones in lightroom. I took these images recently of my daughters at sunset with fill in flash. I used JPEG fine and RAW. The first image is the JPEG and the second is the RAW. AS you can see the image detail is much better in the RAW image but I feel the skin tones are much more realistic on the untouched JPEGS. the RAW images are too shiny and the colour is just not right. I have fiddled with the white balance, tried the HSL tabs to get the right skin tone and used the adjustment brush with the softer skin setting to try and get the sheen on the faces less evident but am still unhappy. Any suggestions gratefully accepted. Please feel free to play with the RAW image
I am struggling to get realistic skin tones in lig... (show quote)


As was mentioned, what you have are called "specular highlights" due to shiny skin and a hot flash.

You should get your flash off camera or in the case of fill flash, you just BARELY want to flash them...you shouldn't even know you did it by looking at it.

As it is...front lit like they are isn't flattering and it looks strange to have so much light coming from the front.

PS: They aren't in focus either.

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Jan 29, 2014 13:57:33   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
took a stab at fixing it based on these directions.

http://planetphotoshop.com/tone-down-highlights.html


(Download)

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Jan 29, 2014 15:42:07   #
Bill Houghton Loc: New York area
 
Another view without the Pimples


(Download)

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Jan 29, 2014 18:34:11   #
KG
 
It's not the diffuser or taking the flash off camera. None of that would help, but simply mask/minimize the problem somewhat.

It's all about matching the color temperature of the flash to the color temperature of the ambient (the sunset).

Try using 1/2 CTO or CTS gel on your flash when shooting during sunsets. (If shooting at or near noon then 1/4 or 1/8 CTS.)

If it's a late sunset, then maybe even full CTO would be needed. But try not to overdo it or else the faces will have the look of unhealthy tan. :)

And then set the flash exposure 2/3rd of a stop below the ambient. You'll get fill light that's as close to natural-looking as it gets.

And then, a diffuser (or better a softbox/umbrella) might also help. But not without the gel first.

That's for re-taking the shot.

As for post-processing what you have now, the flash is much cooler than the ambient. So there is no much you can do in post except for separating the faces and the background into two separate layers/images. And then, you could warm up the faces or cool down the background separately. After merging them back into one image, you could then adjust the final white balance for overall look.

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Jan 30, 2014 06:49:12   #
drydock Loc: mackay, queensland australia
 
rpavich wrote:
took a stab at fixing it based on these directions.

http://planetphotoshop.com/tone-down-highlights.html


That certainly is a great improvement. Looks like I should alter my flash technique and invest in photoshop

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Jan 30, 2014 06:50:30   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
drydock wrote:
That certainly is a great improvement. Looks like I should alter my flash technique and invest in photoshop


That would really help. Photoshop might be optional, but learning to bounce flash or use flash effectively is a very valuable skill.

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Jan 30, 2014 06:56:55   #
drydock Loc: mackay, queensland australia
 
rpavich wrote:
That would really help. Photoshop might be optional, but learning to bounce flash or use flash effectively is a very valuable skill.


Yet another skill to try and master!! (as well as focusing)-- thanks for your help

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Jan 30, 2014 07:04:32   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
drydock wrote:
Yet another skill to try and master!! (as well as focusing)-- thanks for your help


Not a problem!

I suggest surfing two sites:

Strobist lighting 101 lessons...(the best on the net to learn to use off camera flash)

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html





And

Neil Van Niekerk's site (for bouncing on camera TTL flash.)

http://neilvn.com/tangents/the-black-foamie-thing/

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Jan 30, 2014 08:18:16   #
jjestar Loc: Savannah GA
 
Overly saturated and direct flash pop up or other on camera with no diffuser. I desaturated using LR



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Jan 30, 2014 14:45:05   #
Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL
 
drydock wrote:
I am struggling to get realistic skin tones in lightroom. I took these images recently of my daughters at sunset with fill in flash. I used JPEG fine and RAW. The first image is the JPEG and the second is the RAW. AS you can see the image detail is much better in the RAW image but I feel the skin tones are much more realistic on the untouched JPEGS. the RAW images are too shiny and the colour is just not right. I have fiddled with the white balance, tried the HSL tabs to get the right skin tone and used the adjustment brush with the softer skin setting to try and get the sheen on the faces less evident but am still unhappy. Any suggestions gratefully accepted. Please feel free to play with the RAW image
I am struggling to get realistic skin tones in lig... (show quote)

The besi I can do
The besi I can do...

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Jan 30, 2014 21:36:11   #
Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro
 
I took a shot. Lovely young ladies. The shorter one's focus is off, not sure of your settings.


(Download)

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Jan 31, 2014 03:53:19   #
drydock Loc: mackay, queensland australia
 
Pockets wrote:
I took a shot. Lovely young ladies. The shorter one's focus is off, not sure of your settings.


Thank you all. I know that the focus was off on my shorter daughter, but this was the pic showing the worst shiny skin. AS you can see I don't use flash often and wanted to try fill in flash. I have now gone to my camera's manual and I now know how to dial down the flash. I will certainly look at using a diffuser next time.

It certainly seems that you learn most from your mistakes and I thank all the forum members for their help

Bruce L

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