Color question

dostic2002 · 08-03-2010, 06:49 PM

Hello..I am wondering if there is a way to adjust color on my Pentax k-x camera. FOr example, I was taking pictures of the kids in the pink pool and on the pictures the pool was not so pink.. The pictures were clear but the color seemed little bit off... Is there any way to adjust this to have more bright colors?
Thank you!

Wheatfield · 08-03-2010, 08:18 PM

You might want to explore setting WB manually. Swimming pools (or anything with a dominant colour) can play havoc with WB.
If you can shoot raw, then do so, as WB can then be set in post.
After that, you'll need to be a little more specific about what you are looking for.
For example, brighter colour can be achieved by upping the saturation a bit.
Can you perhaps post a picture?

JeffJS · 08-03-2010, 08:32 PM

You might also want to make sure your monitor is calibrated properly. If you haven't done so, you would be surprised just how Off it can be. Your best bet at picture time is to take a test shot with a gray or white card somewhere in the dominant lighting. From there you can adjust the white balance in post processing if need be.

hcc · 08-04-2010, 12:15 AM

You already received some good advice. Another option is post-processing (PP). Pentax Digital Camera Utility (PDCU) 4 is quite a good software.

If you shoot in RAW, you will have more PP options, but even JPEF files can be nicely PP with PDCU.

Hope that the comment will help.

future_retro · 08-04-2010, 12:29 AM

The default color scheme is a bit dull, especially with the included lens.

Check out the different color modes, sort of an in-camera photoshop that change images automatically on the front end instead of having to learn how to do them after the fact

The "vibrant" color mode might liven up your colors and made you happy when you see them

...if you don't know how to change the color mode then it will be in your manual, if you haven't read it yet I'd implore you to take an hour or two to read it through, you'll learn a lot of easy and nifty things that your camera can do

Marc Sabatella · 08-04-2010, 09:17 AM

Examples would help, but in general, 90% of what there is to color is what you get by controlling white balance (WB). Google the term if you're not familair with it it. The camera defaults to auto WB, and in many cases, it works well, but sometimes it can guess wrong, and setting an appropriate WB yourself can help.

The remaining 10% is playing around with the saturation, hue, and other image tone controls on the camera or in PP.

08-03-2010, 06:49 PM	#1
dostic2002 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5	Color question Hello..I am wondering if there is a way to adjust color on my Pentax k-x camera. FOr example, I was taking pictures of the kids in the pink pool and on the pictures the pool was not so pink.. The pictures were clear but the color seemed little bit off... Is there any way to adjust this to have more bright colors? Thank you!

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08-03-2010, 08:18 PM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	You might want to explore setting WB manually. Swimming pools (or anything with a dominant colour) can play havoc with WB. If you can shoot raw, then do so, as WB can then be set in post. After that, you'll need to be a little more specific about what you are looking for. For example, brighter colour can be achieved by upping the saturation a bit. Can you perhaps post a picture?

08-03-2010, 08:32 PM	#3
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	You might also want to make sure your monitor is calibrated properly. If you haven't done so, you would be surprised just how Off it can be. Your best bet at picture time is to take a test shot with a gray or white card somewhere in the dominant lighting. From there you can adjust the white balance in post processing if need be.

08-04-2010, 12:15 AM	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,004	You already received some good advice. Another option is post-processing (PP). Pentax Digital Camera Utility (PDCU) 4 is quite a good software. If you shoot in RAW, you will have more PP options, but even JPEF files can be nicely PP with PDCU. Hope that the comment will help.

08-04-2010, 12:29 AM	#5
future_retro Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 572	The default color scheme is a bit dull, especially with the included lens. Check out the different color modes, sort of an in-camera photoshop that change images automatically on the front end instead of having to learn how to do them after the fact The "vibrant" color mode might liven up your colors and made you happy when you see them ...if you don't know how to change the color mode then it will be in your manual, if you haven't read it yet I'd implore you to take an hour or two to read it through, you'll learn a lot of easy and nifty things that your camera can do

08-04-2010, 09:17 AM	#6
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Examples would help, but in general, 90% of what there is to color is what you get by controlling white balance (WB). Google the term if you're not familair with it it. The camera defaults to auto WB, and in many cases, it works well, but sometimes it can guess wrong, and setting an appropriate WB yourself can help. The remaining 10% is playing around with the saturation, hue, and other image tone controls on the camera or in PP.