Master Colour Correction in Affinity

Updated on Dec 26,2023

Master Colour Correction in Affinity

Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Technique 1: Using the White Balance Tool in Affinity Photo
    • Using a Color Checker Card
    • Adjusting the Temperature and Tint Sliders
    • Applying the White Balance to other Images
  3. Technique 2: Using the Auto White Balance Filter
  4. Technique 3: Using the White Balance Adjustment Layer
    • Adding the Adjustment Layer
    • Adjusting the White Balance and Tint Sliders
    • Using the Color Picker
  5. Technique 4: Using the Color Balance Adjustment Layer
    • Targeting Highlights, Midtones, and Shadows
    • Adjusting the Cyan-Red and Yellow-Blue Sliders
    • Correcting the Image Colors
  6. Technique 5: Using the Levels Adjustment Layer
    • Restoring Old Faded Photos
    • Correcting the Black and White Levels
    • Color Grading with the Levels Adjustment Layer
  7. Conclusion

Article:

Introduction

When it comes to color correction in photography, lighting conditions play a significant role in how the colors appear in your images. Sometimes, the colors may not look quite right due to varying lighting conditions. In this article, we will explore five techniques to help you color correct your images using Affinity Photo.

Technique 1: Using the White Balance Tool in Affinity Photo

The first technique involves using the white balance tool in Affinity Photo. One way to ensure accurate color correction is by using a color checker card in your photos. This card acts as a reference for the correct colors under specific lighting conditions. By including the color checker card in your photos, you can open the raw file in Affinity Photo's developer persona and use the white balance tool to adjust the temperature and tint sliders. Instead of clicking on a white object, it is crucial to click on a neutral gray square on the color checker card. This ensures a more accurate white balance for your image. Applying these settings to other images taken under the same lighting conditions can result in consistent color correction.

Technique 2: Using the Auto White Balance Filter

If You are working with JPEG or TIFF images in the photo persona and do not have access to the white balance tool, you can use the auto white balance filter. This filter can be found in the filters menu under the colors section or in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Applying this filter directly to the image layer makes automatic adjustments to the white balance without additional controls. The filter works by correcting color cast and bringing the colors closer to their true representation. This technique is useful when you want a quick and straightforward way to correct colors in your images.

Technique 3: Using the White Balance Adjustment Layer

For a non-destructive way of color correction, the white balance adjustment layer in Affinity Photo can be utilized. By adding this adjustment layer, you can make changes to the white balance and tint without affecting the original image pixels. To add the white balance adjustment layer, go to the layers menu and select the new layer adjustment section or click the adjustments icon at the bottom of the layer Studio panel and choose the white balance option. From here, you can adjust the white balance and tint sliders until you achieve the desired color correction. Additionally, the white balance adjustment layer offers a color picker, allowing you to select a neutral object in the image for more accurate color correction. However, keep in mind that this technique may produce different results depending on the darkness of the selected area and does not affect the tint slider directly.

Technique 4: Using the Color Balance Adjustment Layer

The color balance adjustment layer in Affinity Photo offers a more targeted approach to color correction by allowing adjustments to be made separately for highlights, midtones, and shadows. This method is especially useful when you want to address different color issues in different tonal ranges within the image. By selecting the desired tonal range, you can move the sliders to adjust the proportion of colors in that range. For example, if you have too much blue in the shadows, you can move the yellow-blue slider left to remove the blue and add yellow. Additionally, the color balance adjustment layer offers precise control over the color balance in your images, but it may require practice to understand how the controls affect the colors.

Technique 5: Using the Levels Adjustment Layer

The final technique involves using the levels adjustment layer, which can be used not only to correct colors but also to color grade your photos. This method is particularly effective for restoring old faded photos. By adding the levels adjustment layer from the layers studio, you can adjust the black and white levels for each color Channel individually. This correction can help restore the colors in the image and fix any fading. Additionally, the levels adjustment layer can be used to color grade your photos by manipulating the black and white levels in each color channel. This technique allows for creative control to enhance the overall look and feel of your images.

Conclusion

Color correction is an essential aspect of photography to ensure accurate and visually appealing images. Affinity Photo offers various techniques, such as using the white balance tool, auto white balance filter, white balance adjustment layer, color balance adjustment layer, and levels adjustment layer, to achieve precise color correction and creative color grading. Understanding and utilizing these techniques can greatly enhance the impact and quality of your photographs, bringing out the true colors in your images.

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