If you’re working with interior designers, there’s a good chance that you shoot with lights off. (If you’re on the fence, check out this piece about whether you should have lights on or off!). What happens, though, when the lights give that yellowish glow and you need to blend it with the other layers?
Normally, I would have added an adjustment layer to the photo with lights on to desaturate the yellows and oranges. This would be done while in Photoshop, before doing my masking. But making that adjustment layer can be a pain… what if we could find a way to skip this part??
This is unedited, but shows the lights with that yellow-orange glow from the bulbs.
Also unedited, but the layer with the lights has been switched to Luminosity mode and the yellow-orange glow is gone!
Change your layer mode
A few months back I learned about the Luminosity layer mode. I had one of those “how did I not know this before?!” moments. By switching the layer mode of the photo with lights on to Luminosity, it removes the color cast from the lights. I mean, it’s pretty much magic.
But don’t take my word for it. Let me show you how it works. In the video below, I show you how to change the layer mode and why it makes a difference. Trust me, you need to know about this!
So next time you’re shooting and your client requests that the lights be on, go ahead and take the extra frame with the lights on! Just know that when you go to edit, this little trick will make your life a bit easier.
xo,
Natalia