blue not purple

Naturenutz · #1 (**permalink**) 21-05-2009, 12:18 AM

Hi folks,Ive noticed my camera does not seem to like purple flowers , it seems it can only get a blue/lilac ( very light purple) colour at best and very rarely picks out the purple properly . Anyone else have the same problem with a digital camera ? or is it just me

zan · #2 (**permalink**) 22-05-2009, 11:24 AM

Not sure about this one, but check your white balance settings. Some of them, like the 'tungsten' setting are very blue, and will remove a lot of reds etc out to compensate for that type of lighting. It may be you've got the settings set wrong. If it's on auto, try switching to the one best suited for your conditions (usually presets for cloudy, shade, sunshine etc) and see if it helps. Your camera might just be confused

charlieb · #3 (**permalink**) 22-05-2009, 11:14 PM

I've heard/read (dont quote me on this

) that it's something to do with the extra colours given off by the flowers (the ones we can't see) that interfere with the digital camera, reducing the saturation and general ooomf of the colours.

Some cameras will let you increase the saturation - maybe worth a shot. I've heard polarising filters (if you have an SLR) might help, reducing some of the unwanted light.

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 23-05-2009, 08:49 PM

Yes, both answers are correct. Purple and some shades of magenta are always a problem.

I find that for the best results you need to avoid direct sunlight, which creates false colours (at least to our eyes) and always do a Custom White Balance. Cameras vary slightly so consult your instruction book. It does take a few minutes to set up each time but you soon get used to the 'ritual' and the setting often stays unchanged until there is a variation in natural light levels. It is the only way to get consistent results.

If you don't have a correct 'grey card' a sheet of very slightly off white paper will do for most purposes. Some people use the white card from the inside of a jar of instant coffee and I have even managed quite well with an old and slightly grubby white handkerchief.

Also shooting RAW will help as it gives you a chance to alter the colour balance/colour temperature during conversion. I find that increasing colour temperature by around 1000 degrees often helps.

Finally there is colour correction with your software. If the Colour Balance tool isn't working well enough I have found that using the Selective Colour tool and tweaking the Neutrals often helps. But I don't know the level of your editing expertise so I might be 'running a bit too fast now'