How to Correct Color Casts

Kory Callihan June 23, 2020

First of all, what is a color cast? A color cast is an unwanted color shift in the whole image or on skin, which can be caused by reflected light from a nearby object. Here I am going to show you how to correct a localized color cast.

I had to actually dig to find a good photo for an example. Largely, because this can be prevented by proper white balance and good lighting. Also, picking neutral clothing helps too. In this photo you can see the greenish yellow tint underneath her chin (causing an unwanted color beard). Ha!

In order to correct this color shift you will want to create a new layer. The shortcut is shift-Ctrl-N (Mac) or Shift+Ctrl+N (PC). Then set the blending mode to color. (You’ll find this at the bottom of the list under saturation and above luminosity.) Pick a nice soft brush. Then select a clean part of the shadow using the eyedropper tool. (Hold down the alt key to select). Then paint over the color cast area. This maybe all you need to do, but sometimes it might take multiple layers. The luminosity of the previous layer is preserved by using the color blend mode. Next lower the opacity of the layer until you can’t see the edges of where you painted. Some areas might have more color than others which will have to be dealt with on a separate layer. And there you have it! This simple technique will completely elevate your photography to a more professional look.

Here is a quick video on the edit if you prefer to watch it! Thanks for reading/watching!

5 Stylistic Examples of Lighting

Kory Callihan May 19, 2020

Today we are going to explore some more stylistic types of lighting. Each one can be used for storytelling purposes and can flatter your subject with the exception of bottom lighting. Continue reading for my examples.

1. Broad lighting:

Broad lighting is where the side of the face closest to the camera is lit, and the other side is in shadow. This will result in a larger area of light highlighting the face and the shadow side will appear smaller. This is typically used with a subject who has a narrow face to make it appear wider. So, this type of lighting would not be appropriate for a heavier person who wishes to appear slimmer. To achieve broad lighting have your subject turn away from the light source.

2. Short lighting:

Short lighting is the exact opposite of broad lighting. This will put the shadow on the side of the face closer to the camera, resulting in a slimmer look. This is very flattering for most people. To achieve short lighting have your subject turn their face towards your light source. I find myself using this type of lighting often for self-portraits.

3. Lighting From Below:

This type of lighting is typically used for a more cinematic horror effect. This type of lighting is achieved by putting your light source below the face of your subject resulting in an eerie and unsettling look. Since we are always lit from above by the sun it is unnerving to see someone who is lit from below. Therefore, when you are telling ghost stories you always hold the flashlight under your chin. It gives you a spooky appearance. Watch out for this, and do not light your subjects this way unless you are intentionally doing it for horror purposes. I see this most unintentionally done with newborn lighting. Lighting your subject from below is usually never flattering. (Fun story, my sister visited a church where the pastor was lit this way giving himself a crypt keeper vibe. She found it to be distracting as I think most people would. So, a note to pastors and priests, make sure you are not lighting yourself this way from behind the pulpit. Your congregation will instinctively distrust you. HA!).

4. Backlight:

Backlight is a photographers’ dream. It is best achieved by waiting for golden hour (an hour or so before sunset when the sun is low and directional). Backlighting is exactly how it sounds; the light source is coming from behind your subject. I like to shoot at a warmer white balance. Because your subject’s face is often in shadow, it will look cooler on camera. To compensate for this, I change my Kelvin setting to a higher warmer number. This is flattering for your subject since the light source is not directly in their eyes, they can open them. Backlight is often used by photographers and can be tricky but result in some interesting and beautiful pictures.

5. Rim Light:

This is my favorite type of lighting!!! This is where you can see a thin “rim” of light around your subject. It is technically a type of backlight, so you need your light source to be directional and behind your subject. You can see rim light better if you have a dark background behind your subject. You can use it to give your subject a silhouette or you can give them a more angelic look with light around their head. I love using this type of light as I find it really interesting and can make my subjects glow (so to speak).

I hope you all have found this helpful! Thanks for reading!

5 Basic Lighting Techniques

Kory Callihan May 12, 2020

Understanding light is crucial to being able to take a good photograph. In this blog I am going to explain how to identify certain basic types of light and how to use them. Different types of light will flatter your subject or actually make them look terrible. Please excuse my expression in most of these, I do not enjoy self portraits! Ha!

See below for my examples.

1. Split Lighting:

This looks exactly how it sounds. With your light source right beside and pointing at your subject you will have exactly half of their face in light and half in the shadow. Perfect split lighting puts the eye opposite of the light source completely in shadow. However, if you wanted to do a slight variation you can turn your subjects face slightly towards the light. This is traditionally used for a more masculine look, so it suits men better than women. Of course, that does not mean rules cannot be broken.

2. Rembrandt Lighting:

This type of lighting is named after the Dutch painter who used this lighting often in his portrait paintings. This is generally very low key with lots of shadow. You can identify Rembrandt lighting by the little triangle highlight on the cheek opposite of the light source (the shadow side of the face). This type of lighting is iconic in his portraits. See here for an example. This set up is very similar to split lighting, but you would turn your subjects face just slightly towards the light. The light source needs to be above them to look natural, as the sun typically lights people from above. Make sure that you get that little catchlight in both eyes. This is usually used for a moody and dramatic portrait.

3. Butterfly light:

This type of light creates shadows underneath your subjects’ nose and cheek bones. This type of light is typically used for glamour portraits as it is very flattering to your subject. In my example my light may have been too directly overhead. It is not great for someone with deeper set eyes, like me in this picture. So be aware of that. But it can be adjusted to be a little softer by moving the light source back away from your subject and behind the camera. I wanted to make sure you could really see the butterfly shadow under the nose for my example.

4. Loop lighting:

You can identify loop lighting by the small shadow cast by the nose of your subject. It is very flattering to almost everyone and is a great go to for a lighting set up. The light source needs to be higher than your subject and more in front of your subject than Rembrandt lighting, but still off to the side slightly. The shadow cast by your subject’s nose should be very small and not intersect with the shadow from the cheek.

5. Flat Lighting:

This type of lighting is usually discouraged in photography because it is not interesting. It takes away all the depth of your subject, but it is still very useful. Flat lighting fills in all the shadows and fine lines and wrinkles on your subject’s face. So, it is actually very flattering. You can identify flat lighting by the lack of shadow under your subject’s nose. To achieve this look your light source needs to be very soft and high, and you would put it directly over your subject. Photographers often like this type of light because it is so flattering to their subjects. This is why it is not a good idea to cancel if it is a cloudy day. The sunlight is diffused by the clouds giving a nice and soft even light which is very flattering for everyone.

I hope you have found this helpful. Thanks for reading!