Thread: Having issues with washed out

I keep hearing my photos look washed out. I thought it was from my Noiseware, but now IDK. Are these just too bright? What's my issue here?

Sadie, I'm not sure but I think their skin looks a little overexposed.

If the SOOC is underexposed, your pp might be blowing their skin out...? Maybe post a SOOC to compare...?

Originally Posted by StateChick

If the SOOC is underexposed, your pp might be blowing their skin out...? Maybe post a SOOC to compare...?

That's a good idea.

I have always liked your processing, and just figured it was a particular style you were going for. In the examples you posted, their skin does seem a little overexposed, though.

Yes, the skin is a little too bright. Not blown...but still very bright. Also, too cyan which will really make the skin look washed out. You could also stand to simply boost overall saturation.

Here is a quick edit where I lowered the highlights, raised the midtones, and lowered the shadows. I also added red in the midtones and boosted the saturation just a touch. Obviously...this style processing may not be what you're looking for if you're more into an "antique" look...but it would be considered a basic clean edit.


Your edit.............................................. .................................................. ....................my edit

Untitled-1 by amberbella, on Flickr

Ok, I brought them back into ACR and nothing was blown, but I went ahead and brought the exposure down some. Do these look ANY better? It's frustrating me...
Edited to re-edit..>AGAIN.

Amber- THAT is what I was going for. Ok, gonna try the same thing you said. THANK YOU! Forget my posts...

This is me trying to do what you said Amber...

I went in, lowered highlights just a tad, brightened midtones, and brought down shadows some. Then I did a saturation layer, changed it to cyan and lowered that hue. Then I did a saturation boost. (Trying to take your Photoshop talk and turn it in to PSE talk!)

too red? Too Yellow?

I don't really have a good eye for color, Sadie, but I think this edit is a little too yellow...?

I meant to add in my first reply that I think both pictures are adorable!

Originally Posted by sadieruth

too red? Too Yellow?

Definitely still too cyan...and too yellow in the shadows....I'd actually correct the cyan by adding red instead of removing Cyan if you can do that in PSE. Wish I knew more about PSE to provide better help.