Super-Saturated Skin Tones
Until about 20 or so years ago, film manufacturers trumpeted true-to-life colors of their slide and print films. But Fujifilm was the first to question if photographers really wanted highly accurate colors in the first place. To find out, Fuji made a vast number of test shots showing typical outdoor scenics with varying colors saturation in the prints, from well below normal to super-vivid. A large test group of viewers was asked to pick out which colorations they preferred in blue sky, green grass, clothing, and skin tones. In nearly all instances, the majority of viewers preferred colors more highly saturated than normal. The amount of increased saturation varied within each different color. Then Fuji emulsion sensitometrists set about creating a film that would have color saturation as close as possible to what the majority of this group preferred.
And so Fujichrome Velvia 50 was born. Many pros used it exclusively because of its enhanced color. A few years later, Fuji also offered Reala print film, which was similarly well saturated. Photographers switched to these films when weather was poor and the colors needed a bit of goosing. Kodak soon followed with its own saturated and very saturated films.
So what has all this to do with DSLR cameras? Most DSLR cameras, as you probably know, can be switched from normal color saturation to some manner of decreased or increased saturation. What you may not know is that there is no standard amount of increased or decreased saturation. It is up to each camera maker. While decreased saturation may be what some photographers want for special purposes, the preponderance of DSLR owners seem quite satisfied with increased saturation and often leave DSLR camera set for it. But in the early days of Velvia, when users were equally satisfied, some discovered that the increase in saturation too often made skin tones to reddish. Fine for scenics, many pros concluded, but stay away from people.
How well does the increased color saturation mode of your DSLR camera handle skin tones? Before choosing the increased saturation mode, find a light-complex-ioned person who has just a tinge of color. Shoot a portrait with and without added saturation. You do not need any fancy setup. Direct flash with built-in or accessory flash will do. Just be sure to turn off any existing lighting and allow the flash to recycle fully between shots. Giving the flash about 5 seconds additional time after the flash-ready light comes on isn’t a bad idea, nor is bracketing your flash exposure to make sure you get the best facial tone. Have prints made by your favorite photofinisher and compare skin tones. If you like the added saturation in the skin tones, OK. If not, you’ll know when to turn off the added saturation or use it to cancel out a cool or warm lighting cast outdoors.