Help Me Improve This

[tmjjk]

 

[Robin Usagani]

shoot it with better background. Shoot it from about her eye level.

 

[The_Traveler]

and turn down the saturation

 

[Designer]

And don't forget the fill light.

 

[michael9000000]

I did some editing focused on color correction... What do you think?

This is an adorable little girl, by the way! Thanks for sharing!

 

[tmjjk]

Much better ...

 

[michael9000000]

Much better ...

Great! Have you ever used a gray/white card to set custom white balance? I've found that it results in much more natural and neutral skin tones, resulting in a 'cleaner' canvas for post-production.

 

[tmjjk]

I typically snap a shot of something white where I am.. And custom set the white balance, but the accuracy is always iffy... Sometimes it gets it right and other times I'm a little yellow coil I be doing something wrong? I always make sure the white is in the same light as my subject will be...

 

[michael9000000]

I typically snap a shot of something white where I am.. And custom set the white balance, but the accuracy is always iffy... Sometimes it gets it right and other times I'm a little yellow coil I be doing something wrong? I always make sure the white is in the same light as my subject will be...

Here's where I think you might be going wrong with your "snap a shot of something white" method... I'm led to believe that you're just looking for the nearest white object to use as a reference point, and it's something different every time... Take into consideration that the purity of the whiteness might not be as pure as you think and it will vary from object to object... Also consider the varying reflectivity of your white reference points... All these variables will give you a hit or miss experience when you set your custom white balance.

I would highly recommend going to your local camera store and buying an 18% grey exposure card... Some folks just call it a grey card... If you use it every time, you will have a consistent reference point, both in color (or lack thereof, really) and reflectivity. A two pack of sturdy 8x10 grey cards will probably cost you no more than 20 dollars.

 

[mommy-medic]

+1 This. I bought a small grey card on a neck lanyard for about $9 on amazon. I watched a youtube video on how to custom set the white balance on my camera (I learn MUCH better when I watch and follow along, pausing as needed, instead of reading the manual and deciphering it's technical speak). The results have cut down on my post processing time significantly! No more guessing.

Oh, and nobody said lose the socks. baby toes are the best!

 

[tmjjk]

I agree with the socks lol... I was waiting for that... it was just chilly and we were playing around...totally wish I would have taken them off for just a minute now...
Thank you... I will absolutely be getting a grey card!

 

[kelbel1981]

I think its beautiful! But, I guess the only thing would be to get more at her level but it still works!