Dull colors, what might be the problem ?

[GreenOne]

Hi y'all...
As mentioned before, I often experience problems with the picture taking and editing.
I'm currently working on a Greenskin, I worked at putting some variation in the colors for the skin from brown to purple to dark blue, pretty happy with the result IRL... But when I want to share it in picture, it get all dulled, bland, sad...

Here's a WIP pic:

It doesn't look bad... just not what it really is.

I do have a couple theories on that, let me know if I nailed it:

1- The amount of black still on the mini cause the camera or photoshop to be 'confused'

2- I use reveal bulbs... the effect make colors more vivid when I paint, but maybe is lost under the light tent.

3- Voodoo curse

And on the other side of the question, what can be done to improve the color output.
I use a canon Powershot S2 IS, which I think is a pretty decent camera.

 

[green stuff]

1- The amount of black still on the mini cause the camera or photoshop to be 'confused'

2- I use reveal bulbs... the effect make colors more vivid when I paint, but maybe is lost under the light tent.

These might be it. Here are some other things to consider :

*) Have you defined the correct white balance on your camera?
*) It seems that the light coming from the left is a bit harsh and might confuse the camera. Try to get it more diffuse and evenly spaced.

You can also tweak the colors, contrast, luminence, levels, ... in post production with Gimp, Photoshop, ... It needs getting used to, but it can do wonders.

 

[BPI]

Hi GreenOne, are you shooting against that blue cloth only? By no means am I a photography expert but my simple playing about has helped with a couple of things. Have the cloth further behind the mini until it is a smooth blue blur rather than being able to see the "grain" of it (warp/weft? something like that). Keep in mind how much the background colour affects pictures. If you check my WIP thread I've posted some images, straight from the camera (scaled down but no colour balancing) using the same setup with 4 different colours of felt as background. They make a huge difference to the image. I'd suggest shooting a run of images using every different coloured bit of paper/clothing you have lying about & seeing what suits this mini best (or more specifically what best sets off the green of the skin). Good luck, B.

 

[GreenOne]

Thanks for answering.
I use a 30cm lightent, provided with four backdrops (Blue, Red, Black and white.) Since it's limited in size I cannot put them farther, nor can I really tack anything else in the back ( They stick with velcro).
I wonder if I can get more backdrops from the seller, or maybe make my own when I have the time, More neutral colors would help I think.

Anyway, I did space up the side lights a bit, and coated one of the larger black area tonight, result is getting much better.

I will need to learn how to use the color features on PS, but what I tried so far gave pretty crappy results

Still open to suggestions as I'm still pretty far from getting the vibrant colors I seek.

 

[fiesta0618]

Hey, it's no crime to boost the saturation in Photoshop if it makes the photo truer to life, right? We're all interested in your miniatures skills, not what you have to do to represent them accurately.

 

[GreenOne]

Saturation eh ?
Haven't thought of that, I'll give it a try

 

[Legacy Account]

If you use a background that's that bright, expect it to make the colours in the figure look insipid!

Use a more neutral coloured background - a very pale blue, grey or even white.

 

[BPI]

Second Spacemunkie :good:

QUOTE GreenOne "They stick with velcro"

Don't worry, double sideded sticky tape, velcro on a sticky backed roll (habadeshery), clothes pegs, paper clips, bulldog clips, friction, gravity, spit, you'll find something that holds a backdrop in place

Also, there's a lot of intense light despite the tent. Try the lamps a bit farther back in steps, compare photos, any difference?

Cheers, B.

 

[GreenOne]

Yeah that makes a lot of sense...
The white one is no good, it floods the minis in light so much I lose the edges.
I'll look into making me a more neutral one before the next completed mini