Avoid these pitfalls
3: Off color
Pitfall explanation
This fun photo captures a moment, and probably more important, is a pretty good picture of each of the girls; usually in a shot like this, someone looks really goofy. However, I strongly suspect that their true flesh tone isn't quite so pink. This is an egregious example of incorrect white balance--mostly it's too yellow/orange or blue--and from the look of it, I'd say the photographer forgot to change the current white-balance preset when she turned on the flash.
This fun photo captures a moment, and probably more important, is a pretty good picture of each of the girls; usually in a shot like this, someone looks really goofy. However, I strongly suspect that their true flesh tone isn't quite so pink. This is an egregious example of incorrect white balance--mostly it's too yellow/orange or blue--and from the look of it, I'd say the photographer forgot to change the current white-balance preset when she turned on the flash.
Can this photo be saved?
Yes. Generally, color casts are relatively easy to correct, especially if they're strong in one of the primaries--cyan, yellow, magenta, red, green, or blue.
Yes. Generally, color casts are relatively easy to correct, especially if they're strong in one of the primaries--cyan, yellow, magenta, red, green, or blue.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Keep white balance set to Auto. Ironically, this is one case where too much control can backfire on you. Most cameras have decent enough automatic white-balance performance that you don't really have to tweak it.
Tip 2: Use manual white balance sparingly and always set it back to auto when you're done. Since you usually use manual white balance in extreme circumstances that the automatic and presets can't handle, forgetting to reset it can result in some seriously odd color casts in subsequent photos. Try to get into the habit of setting the white balance back to auto after every set of shots.
Tip 1: Keep white balance set to Auto. Ironically, this is one case where too much control can backfire on you. Most cameras have decent enough automatic white-balance performance that you don't really have to tweak it.
Tip 2: Use manual white balance sparingly and always set it back to auto when you're done. Since you usually use manual white balance in extreme circumstances that the automatic and presets can't handle, forgetting to reset it can result in some seriously odd color casts in subsequent photos. Try to get into the habit of setting the white balance back to auto after every set of shots.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: A model with very good automatic white balance.
Suggested models:
What it takes: A model with very good automatic white balance.
Suggested models:
Additional resources
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
