Badly colored photos are frustrating, right? Whether it’s a beautiful picture of a girl with a boy, a cherished moment captured on camera, or just a quick snapshot, poor color can ruin the image.
A yellow tint, an overly orange look, or bad contrast can make your photo look unprofessional and unappealing. But the good news is that there are several easy techniques for fixing this problem.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to edit a photo with bad colors whether you’re doing it yourself or letting us handle it. Remember, to get a professional result for your business, you must need a professional service.
At our photo editing service, we deal with this all the time. Here’s how we fix it:
- Spotting the problem: First, we figure out if your photo has an orange or blue color cast.
- Balancing the colors: We use pro tools to neutralize those unwanted tints and restore natural tones.
- Boosting contrast: We adjust contrast and brightness to make your image pop.
- Fine-tuning the details: Custom tweaks with Camera Raw Filter help get everything just right.
We’ll focus on how you can do it yourself or even how our Photo Editing Services can help you achieve a polished look in Photoshop. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why Does a Photo Have Bad Colors
When we talk about bad colors in photos, we’re referring to those unwanted color tints that can make an image look unnatural. These issues are common in photography, especially when lighting isn’t optimal.
Often, poor lighting conditions or incorrect camera settings are to blame. Here are some of the most common issues that lead to bad photo colors:
- Incorrect White Balance: White balance is a camera setting that adjusts the color balance in your images. If this setting is off, your photo may have an orange or blue tint, making it look unnatural.
- Indoor Lighting: Incandescent or fluorescent lights can cast a yellow or orange tint on your images.
- Overexposure: When too much light is captured, it can wash out colors and reduce vibrancy.
Now the question is what makes a photo good or what is a good color photo?
Well, a good color photo is all about balance. The colors should look natural, not too yellow or blue, and the lighting should be just right, not too dark or overly bright.
Skin tones in portraits should appear real and lifelike. You want the colors to pop, but not so much that they look fake or overdone. It’s all about keeping things vibrant but still true to life.
However, fortunately, with photo editing tools like Photoshop, even a poor-quality image can be fixed. And we’re here to explore how to edit a photo with bad colors in Photoshop.
How do we edit a photo with bad colors?
If you’ve ever encountered a photo with bad colors, don’t worry. Here’s a step-by-step guide on correcting those colors and improving your image’s overall quality using advanced image editing techniques.
Step 1: Identify the Color Problem
Before jumping into editing, it’s important to identify what’s wrong with the image. Ask yourself:
- Does the image have a strong color cast (blue, orange, etc.)?
- Are the shadows too dark or the highlights too bright?
- Is the overall contrast poor?
By answering these questions, you’ll know what adjustments are necessary for the photo.
Step 2: Open the Photo in Photoshop
Once you’ve identified the issue, open the image in a photo editing software like Photoshop. Photoshop is an excellent tool for addressing color issues, thanks to its powerful correction tools and filters.
Step 3: Add a New Layer and Select ‘Fill’
Start by adding a new layer. To do this, click the new layer icon (a box with a plus symbol). Then go to Edit > Fill (or press Shift + F5). In the Fill dialog box, set the Contents to 50% gray and press OK.
Why 50% gray? This helps detect color casts in the image by creating a neutral reference point.
Step 4: Change the Blend Mode to ‘Difference’
Next, change the blend mode of the new layer from Normal to Difference. This will highlight the differences between the gray and the actual colors in the image and help to pinpoint problem areas.
Step 5: Use Threshold Adjustment to Pinpoint Bad Colors
Now add a Threshold adjustment layer by clicking the half-circle icon in the Layers panel. This will allow you to adjust the contrast in the image and isolate areas with the worst color problems.
Slide the Threshold slider until the remaining black areas are visible – these are the darkest spots in your image.
Step 6: Mark the Problem Area
Once you’ve found the darkest or most problematic color area, use the Eyedropper Tool and hold Shift to click on the spot. This places a marker on the photo for you to refer to later when adjusting colors.
Step 7: Remove the Extra Layers
Now you can delete the gray and Threshold layers. To do this, hold Ctrl, click both layers and hit the trash can icon to delete them.
Step 8: Use Curves Adjustment for Precise Color Correction
Now, add a Curves Adjustment Layer from the half-circle icon. Select the Gray Eyedropper from the Curves menu, then click the marker you created in Step 6. This action will correct the color cast based on the neutral gray point, effectively removing the undesirable tint from the image.
You can also experiment with clicking other areas in the photo to see how different gray points affect the overall balance. The key is to find a point that restores a natural look to the image.
Step 9: Merge Layers and Convert to Smart Object
Once you’re satisfied with the color adjustment, select the layers by holding Ctrl and clicking on them, then press Ctrl + J to duplicate them.
After that, press Ctrl + E to merge them. Right-click on the layer and choose Convert to Smart Object so that you can apply non-destructive edits.
Step 10: Apply Camera Raw Filter for Final Adjustments
Go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter. In the Camera Raw settings, use the White Balance tool to automatically correct the overall color temperature. If the result isn’t perfect, you can fine-tune the temperature and tint sliders for better results.
Step 11: Split Toning for Advanced Color Correction
In Camera Raw, scroll down to the Split Toning section. This tool allows you to adjust the Hue and Saturation of both the highlights and shadows independently.
By adjusting these sliders, you can enhance the colors in the image further, giving you more control over the final look.
Use the saturation slider to increase the intensity of your highlights, and then adjust the hue to find the perfect balance for your image.
Do the same for the shadows, focusing on how the darker areas of the image react to color changes.
Step 12: Adjust Vibrance and Saturation
Lastly, scroll up to the Vibrance and Saturation settings. Gently increase the vibrance to make colors pop without affecting skin tones too much. A slight increase in saturation can bring out the richness in colors, but avoid overdoing it to maintain a natural appearance.
This is the complete guide of how to edit a photo with bad colors. OUr expert team handle this process with professional technique.
Quick Tips on How to Edit a Photo with Bad Colors
While editing can fix bad colors, it’s always better to start with a well-shot photo. Here are a few easy tips to help you avoid color problems in your photography:
1. Set Your White Balance Right
White balance is key to getting natural-looking colors. While your camera’s auto white balance is handy, it’s not always perfect. Try using a gray card to set a custom white balance, especially in tricky lighting.
2. Use Natural Light Whenever You Can
Natural light gives the most balanced colors, so use it whenever possible. If you’re indoors, avoid harsh artificial lights—they can add unwanted tints to your photos.
3. Shoot in RAW Format
Shooting in RAW captures way more color data than JPEG. This gives you a lot more flexibility when editing and makes fixing color issues much easier.
4. Calibrate Your Monitor
Editing with an uncalibrated monitor can throw off your color correction. Make sure your monitor is calibrated so what you see while editing is actually accurate. This way, you’ll avoid making unnecessary tweaks that could mess with the final result.
How to Make a Photo Less Orange in Lightroom
Another common issue you may encounter is an orange tint in your photos. This is especially common when shooting in warm lighting or during golden hour. If you want to know how to edit a photo with bad colors, reducing orange tones is key.
Here’s how to make a photo less orange in Lightroom:
- Open your photo in Lightroom.
- Go to the Develop module.
- Look for the White Balance section.
- Adjust the temperature slider to move away from the orange and yellow tones. Slide it toward the blue side.
- Check the contrast and exposure. If these are off, your colors may still look unnatural. Adjust them to bring balance to the photo.
- Fine-tune the vibrance and saturation to achieve the look you want.
Remember, Lightroom gives you powerful control over your images, allowing you to make a photo look more natural with just a few clicks.
But if you’re in a hurry or unsure about using these tools, we offer quick and easy image editing services that can perfect your photos in no time!
How to Fix Bad Quality Photos Online
Sometimes, it’s not just about colors. You might also need to improve the overall quality of the image. Here’s how to edit a photo with bad colors and bad quality, using online tools:
- Upload your image to an online editor like Pixlr or Fotor.
- Use the Sharpen tool to enhance details.
- Adjust the brightness and contrast to make the colors stand out more vividly.
- If the photo is grainy, apply noise reduction to smooth out imperfections.
- Fine-tune with the clarity and sharpness settings.
When learning how to edit a photo with bad colors, don’t forget to address quality issues. Online editors can often handle both tasks efficiently, but for high-end results, professional services like ours can take it to the next level.
Remove Yellow Tint from Photo Online
One of the most common issues people face is a yellow tint. Whether you’ve taken a photo of a girl with a boy or a beautiful landscape, indoor lighting can easily cause this yellow hue to take over.
To remove the yellow tint from a photo online, follow these steps:
- Upload your image to an online photo editor like Adobe Express, Pixlr, or Fotor.
- Navigate to the color correction tool or white balance adjustment.
- Decrease the yellow tones by adjusting the temperature slider. This will shift the yellow tones towards blue, neutralizing the tint.
- Fine-tune the adjustment by playing with the contrast and saturation sliders until you achieve the desired result.
Alternatively, if you want a professional touch, our team can easily remove the yellow tint from any image using advanced tools and techniques.
Why You Should Trust Photofixal
Editing photos on your own is possible, but it can be time-consuming and tricky to get right. If you want a professional result without the hassle, our team at Photofixal is here to help.
We specialize in color correction, fixing bad contrast, removing tints, and restoring poor-quality photos. Whether you’re dealing with yellow tones, orange hues, or bad contrast, we have the tools and expertise to make your photos shine.
Here’s why our service stands out:
- Fast Turnaround: Get your images back quickly and ready to share.
- Advanced Editing: We use the latest tools like Photoshop and Lightroom for detailed, high-quality results.
- Affordable Rates: Professional services without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Bad colors, poor contrast, and wrong tints can ruin a great photo, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s easy to fix. So, we hope you now get idea of how to edit a photo with bad colors.
Whether you’re editing a photo of a girl with a boy or fixing a bad-quality image, you now know how to make the necessary adjustments.
From removing a yellow tint from a photo online to learning how to make a photo less orange in Lightroom, these tips will improve your images in no time.
However, if you’re looking for a professional touch, Photofixal is here to help! We’ll save you the hassle and give your photos the polished, vibrant look they deserve. Whether it’s a quick fix or a full-on transformation, we’ve got you covered.
Feel free to reach out to us today, and let’s bring your images back to life!
How to Edit Photos with Bad Lighting?
Bad lighting can be fixed using several methods:
Adjust the exposure to make the image brighter or darker.
Fix shadows and highlights to recover lost details in dark or bright areas.
Correct the white balance to remove any color casts from artificial lighting.
Enhance contrast to give more depth to the image.
Use a dehaze tool to reduce foggy or overly bright lighting effects.
How to Fix Colors on a Photo?
To correct bad colors:
Adjust the white balance to remove color casts (such as orange or blue tones).
Use HSL sliders to fine-tune individual colors.
Fix color casts using the gray point dropper to balance colors.
Increase vibrance for subtle color improvements without oversaturating.
How can I fix the white balance in photos?
White balance issues arise when an image has an unnatural color cast (like magenta, green, yellow, or blue) due to different lighting conditions. To fix it:
Temperature adjustment can balance yellow and blue tones. If your image is too cool (bluish), increase the temperature; if it’s too warm, decrease it.
Tint adjustment helps balance magenta and green hues. Slide toward magenta if the image has a greenish tint, or toward green if it’s too magenta.
What is the difference between saturation and vibrance?
Saturation boosts the intensity of all colors, making them more vivid across the entire image.
Vibrance, on the other hand, only increases the intensity of muted colors, leaving already vivid colors untouched. This prevents oversaturation and is great for improving skin tones without making them appear unnatural.
Can adjusting contrast and brightness fix bad colors?
While contrast and brightness don’t directly change colors, they can influence how colors appear by affecting light and shadow. Increasing contrast makes dark areas darker and light areas brighter, enhancing the vividness of colors. However, too much contrast may result in loss of detail, while too little can make the image look flat