We get asked about skin tones so often that we thought we would share a really quick but effective processing trick with you.
The key to good skin tones is not just in the processing, so this will not be a miracle cure. You need to make sure that you have flattering light and great exposure to start, but sometimes you need to fix a slight color cast. Often we will forgo RAW and shoot jpgs for the quick processing and to save space. Rachel actually shoots both RAW and jpg at the same time with the D3 and will often just process the jpg while saving the RAW file for if it is ever needed. With proper exposure, all jpgs require are possibly a curves layer and some sharpening to be ready to go. Not everything needs the full RAW treatment.
Like this shot of Rachel’s daughter, Gemma. The light was nice and a little bump in curves was all it needed for exposure, but the setting sun reflecting off a red wooden fence has really added to the warm color cast in her skin.
We have included the before (left) and after (right) to show the results we got with 2 quick adjustment layers.
Here is what we did to fix the color cast.
It is a really simple trick and I am certain something that a lot you have seen before, but we thought a quick video would be helpful for those who are just really getting to know Photoshop. If you like the videos, we will look into doing more with a better production value, but for now, here you go! We have a new YouTube account, so if you are on YouTube, you can click to follow us there as well.
{ 23 comments }
