Color Correction

Color Correction Self Evaluation

   The assignment allows me a second practice on single flash. Both takes were shot in a small room so that I could practice more on the bouncing technique.

   First take was in a fluorescent light environment; the light color was yellowish and I used a pale gold gel to match it. From the left side of the room there was a small window, which provided a little window light but never direct cast on the project. So when shooting from the left side, there was a mix of yellowish light and relatively cold sky light, which made me change the gel for several times.

   Second take was under tungsten light, which was warmer and yellower. The flash came with a light orange gel. In both takes I found the camera sometimes were much too smart: by changing the white balance setting, it corrects the color extremely strictly. For example in second take, if I use tungsten white balance to correct the yellow tone, the photo color becomes exactly white, which in fact does not look pleasant. I actually prefer the warmer tone, but “pleasant” and “correct” is not the same thing. I do not know which should be the goal of this assignment, so my outtakes contain both auto white balance and tungsten/fluorescent white balance; the former is “preferred” while the latter is “corrected”.

   An additional question is how to shoot something like a computer screen. In the first take, the interesting point is the three screens which are working at the same time in the office; but I do not think I successfully emphasize that they are all turned on. I want to know how to make the screen look normal, not too bright nor too dark, while people can tell something is displayed on them.