|
My prints do not look the correct color. What could have happened?
|
There are a number of factors which could contribute to your pictures being returned to you with, what appears to you, colors that do not match the original scene.
One of the most common reasons for prints to be off color is improper illumination. Color print films are balanced to daylight or sunlight which is present outdoors. When shooting pictures indoors, a daylight balanced flash should be used to illuminate the subject. Artificial indoor lights, such as tungsten (common indoor light bulbs) or fluorescent (office) lighting, are not balanced to daylight films.
Your eyes have the ability to adjust to the color balance of indoor lighting but photographic film does not. Tungsten light is very yellow/red and fluorescent light is very green. If your pictures were taken indoors without a flash, it is likely that your prints are one of these two colors. Your photo processing lab can make some adjustments in the color of the prints, but they will still not match the colors of the original scene. When taking pictures indoors, always use a daylight balanced flash to ensure your prints are the correct color. And remember, flash illumination falls off after a short distance (see your flash or camera manual for additional information), thereby making it possible for the subject to be the correct color and the background off color in the same scene or print.
If your prints are magenta or purplish-red, chances are that your film is outdated or it has been subjected to excessive heat or humidity. Always make sure to look at the expiration date on the box of the film prior to loading it into your camera. If the date on the box has passed, discard the film and load the camera with a fresh roll of film and have it processed promptly after exposure.
Store unused film in its original package in a cool, dry place. Do not leave your loaded camera in an area in which it will be subjected to excess heat or humidity, such as on the rear deck inside of your car during a hot, sunny day. It is also possible that your photo processing lab did not correctly process or print your pictures. If you are dissatisfied with the color of your prints, and you are sure that the film was exposed with the proper illumination, the film was fresh and stored properly, return the film and prints to your processing lab and ask them to reprint them for you with a color adjustment. Most labs will do this at no charge.
|
