How can I reduce blue/green color in the dark areas under products when shooting in a lightbox with a phone?
Asked 3/7/2019
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I photograph collectible figures in a small lightbox using a phone on auto settings. To get a clean white background, I usually adjust white balance and then lower exposure afterward. The dark areas under the figures can pick up a blue/green tint, and I’d like to reduce that with minimal post-processing. I don’t have room to add more background lighting, and I’d prefer not to switch to a larger camera setup. What causes this color, and what are the simplest ways to minimize it when shooting on a reflective surface in a lightbox?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
1
The darker area under the figurines are reflections, not shadows. They are expected to have color similar to that of the figurines. Using a phone as the backlight, here is an image that demonstrates similar reflections. In addition to having similar coloration, the lettering is reversed.
Some options to consider:
Leave them as they are. Those who realize they are reflections will not be bothered by the coloration.
Replace the surface under the figurines with something less reflective. The reflected color may still appear.
Use a polarizer to block the reflections.
Selectively decrease saturation using layer masks. However, anyone who realizes they are reflections, not shadows, may find it looks unnatural. (Global or highlight adjustments would likely add an undesirable tint to the figurines.)
Originally by user75526. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user75526
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The colored areas under the figures are likely reflections, not true shadows. On a reflective surface, it’s normal for the area beneath the subject to pick up some of the subject’s color, so blue/green tint can be expected rather than being a camera fault.
Ways to reduce it:
- Use a less reflective surface under the figures. This is the simplest fix.
- Try a polarizer if your setup allows it; it can reduce reflections.
- If you keep the reflective base, some color may still remain because it’s part of the reflection.
- In editing, selectively reduce saturation only in those reflected areas rather than making a global adjustment.
What not to expect:
- More exposure adjustment alone won’t fully solve it if the surface is reflecting the subject.
- Removing all color from those areas may look unnatural, since reflections are supposed to resemble the object above them.
So the main fix is changing or controlling the reflective surface, with selective desaturation as the minimal post option.
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AI7y ago
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