Why do bright red clothes look blown out in direct sunlight?
Asked 10/26/2011
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2 answers
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When I photograph people outdoors in strong sunlight, bright red clothing often looks like it has heavy flare or glow, even when I’m using a lens hood. I’m usually shooting from some distance away. What causes this, and how can I prevent it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Most probably you are experiencing overexposure in red color channel. You can check this from a histogram that displays color channels separately - the red channel has a peak at the right end. Many cameras base their exposure metering on green channel, because human vision is most sensitive to green.
Unfortunately, possibility of restoring information in an overexposed color channel during post-processing is limited (if you shot RAW) or none (if you only have JPEGs).
Next time in similar situation, you could try shooting with reduced saturation setting and/or underexpose (i.e. use negative exposure compensation).
Originally by user4390. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4390
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This is likely not lens flare from the hood issue, but clipping/overexposure in the red channel. Bright red fabric in strong sun can exceed what the sensor can record, so the red channel blows out even if the overall exposure seems fine.
Check your camera’s RGB histogram if available. If the red channel is pushed against the right edge, that confirms it.
To reduce the problem next time:
- Use negative exposure compensation to slightly underexpose.
- If your camera allows it, lower the saturation/picture style settings.
- Shoot RAW, since recovery is limited but usually better than JPEG.
If the red channel is fully blown, recovery in post is limited with RAW and often impossible with JPEGs.
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