Histogram/ exposure: Help

[Cutter]

so where on the histogram would be skin tone approx ?

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by Cutter

so where on the histogram would be skin tone approx ?

In my opinion Mark you're making things unnecessarily complicated here. As OldBoy has already stated "a histogram is a guide" and as you are shooting in raw format (you are aren't you?), what is displayed on the cameras LCD is only representative of the small embedded jpeg image buried within the raw file itself......it is not representative of the raw file itself. So in this respect Geoff is also correct when he points out that "I think you can read too much into a histogram". SieSmith makes a valid point by also saying "what do you want it to look like".

First get the white balance correct by preferably placing a neutrally grey card in front of the models face for one shot and using this as a reference for setting the white balance later. Again though, this is a guide - not gospel. Once again remember the point made above "what do you want it too look like". Skin tones are mid tones so this is where they should appear in the histogram but, too repeat, it's only a guide. If your histogram doesn't extend too the far right then using levels you can drag the slider in to meet the end point in the histogram. Better still - use curves. Use the temperature slider (or TAT tool in ACR) to warm up the image slightly if necessary but above all you should be attempting to produce a finished image that looks right to you........there is no absolute right and wrong answer in this respect.

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by Forseti

In my opinion Mark you're making things unnecessarily complicated here. As OldBoy has already stated "a histogram is a guide" and as you are shooting in raw format (you are aren't you?), what is displayed on the cameras LCD is only representative of the small embedded jpeg image buried within the raw file itself......it is not representative of the raw file itself. So in this respect Geoff is also correct when he points out that "I think you can read too much into a histogram". SieSmith makes a valid point by also saying "what do you want it to look like".

First get the white balance correct by preferably placing a neutrally grey card in front of the models face for one shot and using this as a reference for setting the white balance later. Again though, this is a guide - not gospel. Once again remember the point made above "what do you want it too look like". Skin tones are mid tones so this is where they should appear in the histogram but, too repeat, it's only a guide. If your histogram doesn't extend too the far right then using levels you can drag the slider in to meet the end point in the histogram. Better still - use curves. Use the temperature slider (or TAT tool in ACR) to warm up the image slightly if necessary but above all you should be attempting to produce a finished image that looks right to you........there is no absolute right and wrong answer in this respect.

Thanks Forseti and to everyone who replied, I think I am getting a little bogged down in trying to make the image perfect in respect of exposure but as been rightly pointed out Its the exposure that I want that is the right one. I must say that having asked this question it has made me a lot more comfortable and less worried about trying to acheive what I want.

Ps Why curves than levels ? dont use curves not sure what they do

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by Cutter

Why curves than levels ? dont use curves not sure what they do

Because curves allows you to add control points (as many as you want) and move them up or down to get the effect you want. In Curves, slope equals contrast so you can locally increase contrast in one section of the curve by making that section steeper. I tend to use both Levels and Curves, each for what they do best. After creating a Level Adjustment layer to place the black and white points where I want them. I then create a Curves Adjustment Layer to adjust the brightness and contrast of everything in between. Adjustment Layers allow you to revisit your choices later if you decide you overdid something or perhaps want further modifications, all with no additional loss or degradation.

Worth having a go and good guidance can be found in the Help menu of Photoshop if needed.

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by Forseti

Because curves allows you to add control points (as many as you want) and move them up or down to get the effect you want. In Curves, slope equals contrast so you can locally increase contrast in one section of the curve by making that section steeper. I tend to use both Levels and Curves, each for what they do best. After creating a Level Adjustment layer to place the black and white points where I want them. I then create a Curves Adjustment Layer to adjust the brightness and contrast of everything in between. Adjustment Layers allow you to revisit your choices later if you decide you overdid something or perhaps want further modifications, all with no additional loss or degradation.

Worth having a go and good guidance can be found in the Help menu of Photoshop if needed.

Thanks will give it a go got a hair shoot this afternoon for the colour trophy again . would you use softboxes or umbrellas to illuminate the hair and face ?

[GeoffWessex]

Softbox is always nice for a face..... a backlight on the hair can be much 'sharper'.

[Cutter]

Thanks Geoff, this was my effort I am pleased what do you think?

[randywh]

I use a facemask histogram to check exposure of the face. By eliminating everything else, you can see the histogram for the face and thats what you really what. In elements duplicate layer and use the lasso tool to draw around the outside of the face. Get just alittle bit of the hair and a little bit under the chin. Don't deselect, Now look at your new histogram to see your face only histogram

[GeoffWessex]

Those shots are spectacular, Cutter! Maybe a little too red in the first one and a bit light on the lower part of the second. They look like the professional pictures you see (or you used to see) in hairdressers' shops.

[AndyStevens]

Nice shots Mark - I'd be well pleased with either

Cheers
Andy