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How to Get Rich Color in Photos

A challenge new photographers face when they start taking pictures is getting the colors in their pictures to look as rich as they do in real life. Often we see pictures shot by professional photographers that have rich deep colors. When new photographers try to replicate the same or a similar picture, the colors often appear flat or even washed out. The process of taking pictures with rich color involves camera techniques and equipment and post-production editing.

Things You'll Need

Lens hood
Polariser filter

Instructions

- 1
  Select a scene that has a good display of color that you want to photograph.
- 2
  Compose the picture in your camera by framing the picture through the viewfinder or LCD (liquid crystal display) screen. When composing, make sure the sun is directly behind you. If the sun is in front of you, or at a 90 degree angle or more to the side of your camera, it will lessen the color intensity in the picture.
- 3
  Attach a lens hood to the front of the lens on your camera. A lens hood prevents side light from entering your lens. When this light enters your lens, it weakens the intensity of the picture, creating a washed out picture that lacks contrast.
- 4
  Screw a polarizing filter onto the front of lens and adjust the filter so it removes glare and improves the color of your photo. These filters should be used on bright sunny days.
- 5
  Bracket your exposure to ensure you take a picture that is well exposed. If you are working in a tricky lighting situation, by taking two extra pictures, one slightly overexposed and one slightly underexposed, you will ensure you come away with a properly exposed picture.
- 6
  Set your camera to a low ISO (light sensitivity) setting. Using a high ISO setting can create digital noise that reduces the intensity of the color in your pictures.
- 7
  Download the picture to your computer and open the picture using your photo editing software. Click the tab to adjust "Contrast" in your photo. Slide the adjustment tab to increase the contrast, giving the color in your photos the intensity you are looking for.

Photography