Getting That 'soft Hue' Sort Of Look

[iltby]

Hey guys,

Really want to know how you can achieve really soft hues in your photos (through editing). I have a few shots I've wanted to do it with and have never really achieved it. This is the sort of thing I mean-

http://www.redbubble.com/people/anniesnel/...-4-soft-fuchsia

Just really gentle sort of colours...hope that makes sense.

TIA.

[Kirislin]

they're very pretty and feminine aren't they.

[goldee]

Im not sure if its the same thing - but i've managed to get effects like that by using actions in photoshop. There are hundreds of free ones out there (search google or deviantart). You install them and let them run and it does th ework for you. Some dont work too well, but others do work nicely!

[Ripley]

edited (thought it looked like a solid colour fill layer and blend but don't think so now having had another look). She may have overexposed the image in camera to begin with?

Edited September 13, 2010 by Ripley

[kja]

There are presets and actions out there that will do this but on your own try some/all of these - you'll need to tweak lots to get what you want for a particular image until you have a system that works for you.

- reduce contrast

- if you are using LR, reduce clarity - this softens the image

- reduce saturation & vibrance

- color wash with the split tone sliders

- use your tone curves to keep a little "light" in the image if you dull it down too much

Obviously you need to start with the exposure that works for you. Best bet is to shoot three testers that are more or less the overall look you are going for - make one exposure what you consider perfect and then do one slightly overexposed and one slightly underexposed. Tweak - see which exposure makes life easier in post.

have fun

[PossumCorner]

If you look in the 'dreamy pastels' Group on RB, they have some tutorials or methods there in the "about this Group" page.

[Kirislin]

"dreamy pastels" is a good way of describing it.

[persephone]

http://www.redbubble.com/groups/flowers-in-vintage-pastel

it tells you what they use

[Kirislin]

where does it tell you Pers? When I went to that link it just showed the pics.

[persephone]

About This Group

A Fine Art group not for just any ordinary flowers but ones that have been taken and produced in a way that shows a Dreamy,Soft,Light,Pastel or Vintage tone.

No harsh dark images just soft airy images either processed by using ‘Actions’, ‘Presets’ ‘Textures’ or simply your own processing techniques

We offer a help forum in achieving this technique with links,tips and advice.

Actions I use:

Florabella Collection

Sweet Treat Actions

Here are some examples :

does that help? On the page, those links are clickable...

[persephone]

I haven't tried- but my guess is some of it could be done in Lightroom, maybe?

[iltby]

Thanks a lot guys