Why do so many family photographers use a dull almost sepia filter on their photos?

[Anonymous]

PP.

Maybe this YouTube would be interesting.

[Anonymous]

You have control over the outcome!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I’m a family photographer. I find that photographers do this when their technical skill is not as great. It hides non-sharpness. There’s one very expensive well known family photographer in DC who does this and I cannot figure out why. She’s actually very good technically but if you tried to print those photos they’d be all washed out

OP here, this is good to know! We are a mixed race family and anytime a photographer uses any sort of weird coloring filter, at least one member of our family ends up looking really off. I'm finding it really hard to find a photographer nowadays that doesn't use any sort of filtering. What happened to just natural sunlight?

Have you tried discussing with a photographer directly? Have you worked with a photographer who shares your background?

I've read many stories about lighting Black actors, how film was designed for white skin tones, etc. I have to believe there are photographers in DC who can help you achieve the look you are going for

Regarding natural sunlight. Have you considered trying any of those AirBnB or GetYourGuide digital photoshoots for tourists?

Is anyone still using film?

My point was just that the photography world has scientifically investigated how light plays on different skin tones and other colored items.

My first digital camera was a Kodak and it was said to benefit from Kodak's long study into representing greenery the way that people enjoy seeing it. That research traced back to Kodachrome film research.

There has recently been a Polaroid film type craze among young people but that obviously doesn't suit OP's needs.

Yes film is still available by mail order.

Can you post a link to a family photographer that is still using film?

As for green and digital cameras, see Bayer filtering. Sensors are grayscale and green is oversampled.

Do you actually want me to find somebody who shoots film?

My point wasn't that OP needs a film photographer. My point is that there are techniques and technologies that have been researched that can be more appropriate for PoC skin tones. Because OP wants her whole family's various skin tones to look pleasing to her when she purchases a portrait session.

Maybe it would help to be blunt. Maybe OP needs a photographer rec who is a person with exceptional skills at photographing non-white people. Does anyone have one?

I feel like I saw a photographer mentioned either on here or maybe the Washington Post. Those are the only DMV sites I read.

Maybe it was this lady? Lauren Sweet?

https://www.instagram.com/sweettouchphotos/

Your comments about some people somewhere still using film is a non sequitur. Family photographers aren't using film and therefore don't have a skin bias issue due to the film processes involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have control over the outcome!

No, we need government regulation to solve this problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't post any photos because they're owned by the photographers, but in looking at links that people have recommended, at least half of them have final products that look dull, muted, very warm, brown and yellow tones. Not quite sepia, but moving towards it. Why is this popular? What am I missing?

Can you post links? I would like to see examples of what you are referring to. Maybe non-DC photographers so they’re not called out if that makes you feel more comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Could it be an interior design trend? I am thinking of putting up a bunch of family photos in our den upstairs and it would unite them to be the same color. Black and white is easy but brown is easy too and may match a more soft mood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Photographers shoot in RAW format these days and can adjust the white balance, color and tone of their photos any way you like in post processing very easily. If they are outputting a sepia tone, it's because the client chose that look.

OP, yes I know this. But it's not client's choice, it's every picture on these photographers instagram and websites. It is a choice by the photographer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have control over the outcome!

Absolutely but I'm not choosing a photographer that heavily photoshops things to look unnatural - to me, having to heavily edit photos means they're probably not a great natural light photographer. I'd rather have the quality up front.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Photographers shoot in RAW format these days and can adjust the white balance, color and tone of their photos any way you like in post processing very easily. If they are outputting a sepia tone, it's because the client chose that look.

OP, yes I know this. But it's not client's choice, it's every picture on these photographers instagram and websites. It is a choice by the photographer.

You don't know what clients chose. You only know what the photographer wants you to see as an ad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Photographers shoot in RAW format these days and can adjust the white balance, color and tone of their photos any way you like in post processing very easily. If they are outputting a sepia tone, it's because the client chose that look.

OP, yes I know this. But it's not client's choice, it's every picture on these photographers instagram and websites. It is a choice by the photographer.

Then he either chose that tome for his portfolio and you have no idea what he output to the client, or the client, after looking at his style, chose him for that look. If you hire a photographer you absolutely have a choice in how the photos are edited. I can create one setting and apply it to every photo in the batch, then fine tune each one as necessary.