For Tixeon

[nldunne]

Using Grey Scales to match a Grey Tone in my image I am able - with the screen better set up - to bring out a better image. Then I am able to use DRAG N' DROP a color chart with a studio person image in it - over my image skin - to match the brightness, contrast and color of the studio image skin to balance my image skin to the approximate same brightness level.

This image I did this way. I purposely kept the overall image to a brightness range of about Mid Grey or so as it is taken inside in a dull corner.

[nldunne]

I just finished an image I did on TWILIGHT MODE - due to low light - with no flash. My original has a bluish tint to it.

What I did here - I took a painting reproduction and did a SAVE AS to a folder. On my original reproduciton I made a work copy and cropped out the head and neck only so I could match the skin tones. The painting is done in similar light to mine. When I finished MATCHING COLORS ONLY this time - painting reproduction and my image - as close as I could - I feel I came out with a decent enough image. I had Anne hold the Grey Card under her chin for me to meter and lock focus on. I rather like the feel to the TWILIGHT MODE over the PROGRAM MODE - in low light light like this. Also, I think I like a normal light rather than using a flash. For Anne's personality, I think the warmer image is better.

[nldunne]

This image I did slightly different - but still with a G C.

In PROGRAM MODE -
I set the COLOR MODE to NATURAL for softer colors,
I set the E V @ MINUS 1
I set the FOCUS to MANUAL - INFINITY.
I set the WB - CLOUDY DAY SETTING

My G C I set on the window sill as the light is very even light, locked the exposure and did the image.

My exposure came out at:
ISO - AUTO - 125
1/40 @ F 3.2
08,16 am

The pavement came out very accurate to a G C in brightness/tonal color.

[nldunne]

This image I did under a very low light output - from a table lamp with a dimmer swiltch - with the G C facing the roof of the room. This idea has given me some some good ideas - re REMBRANDT STYLE DARK IMAGES.

In PROGRAM MODE -
I set the COLOR MODE to NATURAL for softer colors,
I set the E V @ 0
I set the FOCUS to MANUAL - 0.5 m.
I set the WB to AUTO
I set the METERING to BRIGHTNESS OF CENTRAL POINT
I set the GREY CARD facing roof

ISO - 800 MANUAL SET
1/10 @ F 2.8

[nldunne]

This image is based on the Golden Mean by FIBONACCI with the center point on the middle of the bottom of the chin.

[nldunne]

This example is not the best - I know - as I used very low powered roof lights for my light source - and that made the room dull.

When I did my white balance in the color correction - I took an aveage of some values in both the color number and amounts to come up with this correction. It will do a better job in better light.

Still - even so - I still am able to see how well my white side may work under good lighting. The brown and red of the subject is very accurate - considering the lousy lighting. One point I do notice - clicking on the white does give a cooler look to an image inside - even under HOUSELIGHT WB.

Another area where a standard white tone - color corrected - should give more accurate results is at weddings, anniversarys and such where there are many different shades of white, off white, light cream tones. Using one of those for color correction is not the best idea.

[Kellycat]

Fine example Norm that raises an interesting point. Is accuracy the goal or is it the realization of some artistic vision that may require what would be considered by some as an "inaccurate" capture or processing.

[nldunne]

Kelly

I could answer your point by saying - both points - in my case. I want to be as humanly accurate as possible in my colors, but also, it may have artistic benefits as well.

While I was doing this, I worked around with the EV at different settings - and found PLUS 0.3 the best for Anne's P and S in ISO MODE - so it has a benefit that way as well.

We are hoping to 'hop the channel' to Switzerland next spring and I thought - If I take an image with the white card and without it - I can make the snow on the 'Alps' more accurate than trying to color correct the snow itself. Or any color for that matter. This will depend on the time - we are doing a coach tour.

[Kellycat]

I can't wait to see some pictures of Switzerland Norm. I've never had the chance to visit that location. You can look up Athena while your there. If you don't have something special in mind I think that getting an accurate white balance whenever you can is a good thing to do.

[nldunne]

Kelly

I do not think I will have time for visiting folks - much as I would love it. On a bus tour, we are out and about with the group pretty much every day - 15 days for us.

In recent times, I feel that the more accurate I am ablt to make the image, the better the image will be, as you suggest. I wish I had thought of this long ago - after all dilgi's are calibrated on the tone of white.

[nldunne]

For those who like skiing, mountains, snow country and any bright areas like that, I tried the GREY CARD LOCK (with white paper representing snow or...) for clean whites and all. The G C is on the chesterfield and even that looks accurate.

The image in itself, is garbage, but the accuracy is there. Also, the white did not bother the meter either.

Cam is at ISO MODE, EV @ PLUS 0.7, WB @ HOUSELIGHT.

Kelly - I left this one without any color correction - as it turned out too blue - when I first tried it.

[nldunne]

For those wanting to do early morning images, or maybe snow imags and keep the details accurate - I tried this.

I held a GREY CARD just inside the window, aimed the cam at 45 degrees or so - to the side as to cast no shadows - at the G C and pressed the shutter button untl it locked - then turned and did the image.

At least I am not affected by the sky/dark areas in the mid and foregrounds. My whites on the van and truck behind the tree branch ae clean - good for doing snow - if the white is this clean.

For this I did a series at different EV's until I found one that matched the ISO - MANUAL - ay 400. In this case it turned out to be EV @ MINUS 1. 1/30 F 2.8
COLOR MODE - NATURAL
METER - BASED ON CENTER BRIGHTNESS
FOCUS - INFINITY - MANUAL SET
WB - CLOUDY DAY

[Kellycat]

Hi Norm, the colors look fine in this one. I'm not sure that your camera settings translate that well to other camera systems, but the technique you use for the use of a grey card should work fine.

[nldunne]

My thanks for the visit and kind words. I just tucked in the details as I have seen people ask how it was done and what settings were used.

The main thing is the use of the G C in low llight when we are overseas. You and others may be able to use something like this for keeping snow 'white and clean' in the high country. At least you may have a chance to keep it white.

A bowl of K, Fruit and Cream for your kind words. I have to spread K around more I am told.

[nldunne]

Here is a variation based on the window idea directly above.

This one - I took a reading, locked it, with the Grey Card facing the window light beside the subject. Then I walked back about 2 to 3 steps so as the flash will be about the same or less bright than the window light and did the image. Both inside and outside light came out not too bad.

[nldunne]

This image of Anne is done by setting the EV from a sheet of white cloth facing the open window from the subject. My EV is MINUS 0.7

My WB is on FLUORESCENT LIGHT SETTING #2 to help reduce a bit of blue tine on the image..

My tree is done the same way - with the cloth at the window and the FLUORESCENT LIGHT SETTING at #3

[nldunne]

On a walk to the waterfront we came across the red trees . While at the market, I tried images with the cam WB set on FLUORESCENT LIGHT SETTING #3. i worked my EV by working with the WHITE PATCH of the GS & VF CARD.

At home, I gave the images a go over in RESTORE OLD PHOTO which gives CONTRAST and SHARPNESS in one click. I also gave them the smallest amount of REMOVE DUST to try to remove a bit of NOISE.

I really like working with the GS & VF to check my EV accuracy in my images.

[gaopa2]

Norm, I think you nailed the color in those images and then the b&w as well! You are very creative in your experimentation. Cheers, Bill P.

[nldunne]

My thanks for the vlisit and kind words, Bill. They are much appreciated.

We have to agree, the colors come out so well usling this idea. This is definitely my DEFAULT SETTINGS.

[nldunne]

Even with the rain pouring and the wlind blowing, a good image can still be had. This one - I used FLASH SETTING WB (LIGHTNING) with no flash. My EV is set to MINUS 0.7 on the GRAY SCALE/VALUE FINDER CARD. Everything else is set to AUTO.

FLUORESCENT LIGHT SETTING $3 dud a good job of blue removal - but FLASH WB did it better - at least on mly screen.