How do you boost saturation OOC (i.e., without going raw) on a bright, sunny day?

[New Daddy]

What are the means to boosting saturation on a bright, sunny day short of going RAW and without any PP?

I already use polarizing filter and go with the vibrant film mode in my Panasonic micro four thirds.
Still I wish there was more saturation. Are there more that can be done, or do I have to live with the washed out colors unavoidable on a bright sunny day?

 

[480sparky39 38]

Most post-processing software have a Saturation slider.

 

[New Daddy]

Most post-processing software have a Saturation slider.

I should have been more specific. I'm looking for ways to do it out of camera, without using RAW or doing PP. I've edited my OP.

I often find myself in a situation where I have to take a lot of photos for friends, colleagues or other kids. I want to take nice photos out of camera and just distribute them immediately through online sharing without having to do any PP.

 

[480sparky39 38]

Not sure if there's much more you can do.

 

[o hey tyler]

Boost the saturation in the "Picture Style" editor (on Canon), or do the Nikon equivalent. It's post processing, technically, but it's done in camera so you don't have to.

I'd still shoot raw and edit though, personally. It takes literally seconds to process a raw file if you plan on getting the exposure, WB, and crop correct in camera.

 

[Dp-PARIS]

For canon you can adjust the jpeg output settings. Take a look at picture style settings.

 

[Patrice]

The op is asking with regards to a Panasonic camera, we are all just confusing the issue by bringing up Nikon, Canon,..


New Daddy,

Somebody will likely come along shortly with some specific information regards your camera. In the mean time try a Panasonic specific board on another forum.

 

[480sparky39 38]

Perhaps if the OP posted the model number of the camera...............

 

[New Daddy]

The op is asking with regards to a Panasonic camera, we are all just confusing the issue by bringing up Nikon, Canon,..


New Daddy,

Somebody will likely come along shortly with some specific information regards your camera. In the mean time try a Panasonic specific board on another forum.

Actually, I know how to boost the saturation through the camera menu.
My question has more to do with the kinds of photographic technique that you can employ to boost saturation, assuming that you've already adjusted the settings in the camera.

 

[480sparky39 38]

If you've already boosted in in-cam and you're not happy, then PP is the only avenue left.

I doubt you'll find a magic "It Ain't Good Enough... Boost It More" button.

 

[MReid]

Unless you are shooting into the sun, you should be able to get nice color in the sun.
Try decreasing the exposure and increasing the contrast just a bit with your in camera jpeg settings., maybe your exposures are just to bright.
Try shooting in a standard mode instead of vivid if you are shooting people, you will get better skin tones.
I shoot in neutral but then I adjust in processing.
Take the filter off.

 

[KmH]

Be aware that a polarizer mainly increases the saturation of the greens and blues, and the amount saturation is increased is dependent on where in the sky the Sun is relative to the polarizer and how the polariser is adjusted.

The greatest increase will be when the sun is less than 30° above the horizon, and 90° to the lens long axis. Once the sun gets more than 30° above the horizon saturation starts falling off, and starts becoming uneven in the image frame.

Accomplished photographers generally avoid shooting in bright, direct sunlight. However, back lit shots having washed out colors is a very popular look these days.

One suggestion comes to mind. Learn how to use gelled OCF (off camera flash).

 

[TCampbell]

I was going to echo some of what Keith just mentioned... shooting near the "golden hour" can improve the overall warmth and provide more attractive colors. Shoot outdoor shots away from direct sun... find a way to filter the light. Ask your subject to step into the gentle shade of a nearby tree, etc.

Pay attention to the exposure. JPEG images combine similar color tonality and will sacrifice detail especially near the limits the range. So if you're shots are underexposed or over-exposed then you may form the opinion that the issue is saturation when that might just be the side-effect of a different issue (e.g. proper exposure.)

Apart from this, if you're using a polarizer, using the in-camera capabilities to boost or tweak the color style of the image, shooting during the "golden hour" and keeping your subjects away from direct sun, then you may have to resort to post processing to do anything further.

If you'd like, post an example and we can offer an opinion.

 

[DiskoJoe]

Most post-processing software have a Saturation slider.

I should have been more specific. I'm looking for ways to do it out of camera, without using RAW or doing PP. I've edited my OP.

I often find myself in a situation where I have to take a lot of photos for friends, colleagues or other kids. I want to take nice photos out of camera and just distribute them immediately through online sharing without having to do any PP.

You want more saturation then what the camera will produce but you dont want to put in more work in post. Seems rather impossible to me.

Even in film days people did things in post to enhance the photos.

If you have photoshop (or get PS if you dont have it) you can batch process files together. It really doesnt take that long.

And shoot raw at all times! Why else do you have it.

 

[Compaq]

Example of how (de)saturated your images come out of your camera?