Muted Backgrounds

[Lynnegrace]

I'm looking to figure out the muted/matted background effect. Also the green color change in the yellow maternity dress image. The foregrounds seem to be clean but the backgrounds, trees and leaves have this soft effect to them.

https://www.facebook.com/kelseyfreemanphotography/photos/a.564534840274933.1073741845.511013522293732/1145207588874319/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/KarinSandersPhotography/photos/a.461667510621919.1073741833.461129224009081/952791834842815/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/KarinSandersPhotography/photos/a.461667510621919.1073741833.461129224009081/930071990448133/?type=3&theater

My image

 

[Damien Symonds]

Yep, sure, we can do this!

First, go ahead and do your raw processing on your photo as normal, then post it again and we'll discuss the artistic editing.

[Lynnegrace]

Damien, 

My Raw workflow is just the white balance, sharpening and luminance. Which I did. Would you like the raw file?

I also checked for any clipping. 

[Damien Symonds]

No, come on, the white balance is appalling.  Is this your own child?

[Lynnegrace]

Yes it is. 

[Damien Symonds]

Terrific!  Get the jacket out of the washing basket, to see how inaccurate your white balance is.

Or, if the child isn't asleep, ask her to come in to your office so you can check if her hair really is purple

[Lynnegrace]

[Lynnegrace]

Your right! He DOESNT have purple hair!

[Damien Symonds]

Did you get the coat?

[Lynnegrace]

The sweater is gray.

[Lynnegrace]

[Damien Symonds]

Keep going. It's nowhere near grey yet.

[Lynnegrace]

I've checked white balance in ACR like 10 times. I give up. Thanks anyway ?

[Damien Symonds]

Just keep warming it until the jacket in the photo matches the jacket in your hand.  It's easy, don't worry.

[Lynnegrace]

I feel like if I warm it anymore he's going to look orange..

[Damien Symonds]

This is vitally important.  You must NEVER look at skintone when editing raw files.

Until you accept this, you can never grow as an editor.

[Lynnegrace]

Very interesting. I have never heard anyone say that.

 

[Damien Symonds]

Oh yes, the second one is excellent!!!!!!!!

Now, before we go any further, have you browsed the existing files?

[Lynnegrace]

Thank you sweet baby Jesus! 

Yes and the only one that caught my eye was the baby with I think what you referred to as a purple background. 

[Damien Symonds]

Great.  And did you download the PSD and take a look at the layers?

[Lynnegrace]

I'm most interested in the first image I posted with the yellow maternity gown. The greens, the coloring of the trees and the background. I thought maybe she did a guassian blur but I personally think GB looks muddy and those images don't look that way to me. 

[Lynnegrace]

I did not look at that psd bc the greens didn't resemble the greens in the first image. 

[Damien Symonds]

It's more likely Lens Blur, but it's very badly done.  You can see the halo either side of the trees in the foreground.  Blurring MUST begin with the cloning step, it's so important: http://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/06/blurring-background-false-dof.html

[Damien Symonds]

I'm working on your image, but it'll be in between loads of washing, and vacuuming and stuff (my Mum is coming to stay!) so please be patient with me, it might be a little while before I have something to show you.

[Lynnegrace]

Then I guess my next question is the greens. 

Im also very curious about your statement regarding skin tones in Raw. If I were to pull my image into ps, what would be the best method to removing that orange skin tone?