Color/Contrast Issues

[ArkhamAsylum]

Hi all,

I'm not sure if this should be answered here, under Nikon, or under General discussions. Anyway, here it is. I just started a month ago with DSLR. My problems is contrast and color, it seems that whenever I take photos, everything is great on the camera LCD and when I go back home and download the pics, the colors seems a bit dull as well as less contrast.

When taking pictures I've read that there are color profiles that I have to use that should match my monitor or printer so I've set sRGB on the cam and laptop LCD, I don't think anything has changed. I still do a lot of color/contrast correction with PS/CaptureNx. I tried batch processing the files with CaptureNx but I realized every picture will differ in the amount of adjustment needed.

Like skin tones, on the cam LCD they are ok but on the PC they are flushed out/darker, so I have to adjust and end product becomes very saturated.

HW wise, I believe there is a difference between my Laptop LCD and Cam LCD.

My main goals are:

1) To make pictures ready enough for web with minimal adjustment that is most compatible with anyone's setup viewing the pic (I think sRGB should be common).

2) Also to have the pictures print ready without too much adjustment. I've heard stories of pictures that were made to "appear" good on LCD's but ended up saturated in print.

My background/setup:

1) I use a Nikon D80, I don't do detailed white balance, just use the settings, try shots and look what is most acceptable, +/- exposure if needed.

2) I take portraits most of the time, so skin tone/color is very specific. I prefer slightly warm tones. And usually this leads me to saturation when I try to correct it with PS/CaptureNx.

3) I use flash most of the time, but still have a lot to learn about it.

Still a very much unanswered question "everything is great on the camera LCD and when I go back home and download the pics, the colors seems a bit dull as well as less contrast."

This might have been discussed before, but I would appreciate your updated inputs. Thanks in advance!

[chongkm]

You got some untouched samples to show? Hard to imagine how your 'a bit dull' looks like. If you know how, maybe give a screenshot of the curves as well...

[geraldkhoo]

Yes... there will often be a variance between the LCD view and after you load it on the computer... but here is where you have to adjust as much as possible the gap between LCD and computer so that when you look at the LCD, you know what it will look on the computer screen.

If you take portraits and skin tones are important, then your white balance settings are very important to get right. Get a Expodisc or DIY one yourself. Before I used a white balance tool, the skin tones tends to be off, but the Expodisc has been a very great help.

Next, use sRGB rather than AdobeRGB. I do minimal PP, so sRGB works best for me. I used to use AdobeRGB, but when I viewed on my computer screen, the colors were a bit muted... and from what I understand, our computers use sRGB, so even if AdobeRGB gives a broader color spectrum, it would not show up well on sRGB devices.

Your computer calibration is also important. I can have 1 picture look slightly different on the 3 different computers that I use... so getting things callibrated would help you view and see if it is in the correct colors, etc.

Try out the different picture control settings on your camera and see which ones suit you best. When I was using the D200, I usually set to Vivid, and in D300, I use the D2XMODEI and custom set some of the settings in that mode. You'll have to play around and see which ones you like best.

The lens you use also will give a slightly different color cast on your pictures. I personally like Nikkor lenses because of the colors they give... good contrast, saturation, and also a warmth to it... it just looks more natural to the eyes

[wesley]

Originally Posted by ArkhamAsylum I'm not sure if this should be answered here, under Nikon, or under General discussions. Anyway, here it is. I just started a month ago with DSLR. My problems is contrast and color, it seems that whenever I take photos, everything is great on the camera LCD and when I go back home and download the pics, the colors seems a bit dull as well as less contrast.

Hello ArkhamAsylum

The key problem is basing your key image color on your cam LCD. Most cam LCDs are not profiled. The correct image color/contrast is on your profiled LCD.

Regards
Wesley

[ArkhamAsylum]

@wesley: there are two things i haven't really tried out 1) manual white balancing (expodisc, or board) and 2) monitor calibration. i have also tried Vivid yesterday and somehow that's when i do less processing. correct white balancing is next step for me.

@gerald: is there a specific way to profile against my laptop/monitor LCD? i guess i would have to manually adjust settings in custom image enhancement options (tone compensation/saturation/hue). but there still needs to be some kind of reference, like a color card ... i'll give it a shot.

@chongkm: i'll post the pix when i get back home

thanks!!!

[wesley]

Originally Posted by ArkhamAsylum @wesley: there are two things i haven't really tried out 1) manual white balancing (expodisc, or board) and 2) monitor calibration. i have also tried Vivid yesterday and somehow that's when i do less processing. correct white balancing is next step for me.

Hello,

It's good that you are going to profile your monitor, be sure to wait approx 30min for warm up. Just an fyi, even if the image is white balanced, cam LCD color/contrast will not match the monitor.

Best
Wes

[ArkhamAsylum]

hi, here are the pics (exif)

1) untouched version, re-sized only, contrast is weak





2) corrected by autolevels, contrast a bit improved, color more natural

[chongkm]

Your reds look overblown... but you're using vivid with high saturation? Have you tried using DX2MODE1 or neutral instead?

BTW did you have D-lighting on?

[mogwai]

Originally Posted by chongkm Your reds look overblown... but you're using vivid with high saturation? Have you tried using DX2MODE1 or neutral instead? BTW did you have D-lighting on?

i thought he said he is using d80? (unless exif says d300, i didn't check)

[chongkm]

Oh yeah hor... but the exif said vivid with high saturdation anyway... Either the WB haywire a bit or just oversaturated...

BTW check out the cover article on bythom. Looks similar? :P

[jimbok]

Untouched pic looks under-exposed to me.
-1/3 EV, Center-Weighted I guess the metering was fooled by the little girl's t-shirt.

[jimbok]

Sorry for the dup post, yesterday night server gone mad.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by jimbok Sorry for the dup post, yesterday night server gone mad.

Just delete away the multiple posts lor.

[jimbok]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Just delete away the multiple posts lor.

Ohh... didn't realise there such functions.
Anyways, back to topic. I don't think TS untouched picture looks dull, anyone?

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by jimbok Ohh... didn't realise there such functions. Anyways, back to topic. I don't think TS untouched picture looks dull, anyone?

Yeah.. I agree with you. Looks a bit under exposed but in no way dull. Colours are pretty saturated and contrast is there. I would suggest TS to invest in a screen calibrator.

[geraldkhoo]

Agree with the rest... sure does not look dull on my screen...