Photoshop Elements > Color Correction > Skin Tone > Methods > R > G

R > G > B Method

This method is recommended by SmugMug.

Because they print their user's photographs, they know what people like and don't like in regard to skin tone.

SmugMug reports that their customers don't want color accuracy in their skin tones.

"The customer wants to look good and she's allergic to red."

In order to be inaccurate with colors, and to get rid of any dreaded red, you have to be able to measure the colors.

Be sure to check off as you go along.

Scroll down, or click here.

Measuring Colors

Go to Measure Color.

The Eyedropper tool was placed on the subject's forehead in the above photograph.

The RGB color values from the Info panel (Info palette) were:

R: 225

G: 186

B: 163

Preparation

1) Preserve your original file.

If you haven't already done so, go to Preserve Your Original File.

2) Create a Background copy layer.

If you haven't already done so, go to Create a Background Copy Layer.

Create Two Adjustment Layers

You'll create a Levels adjustment layer and a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

Levels Adjustment Layer

3) Create a Levels adjustment layer.

The Levels window will open.

Make the adjustments described below.

Click OK (Pre-8.0 only).

4) Select the Blue channel in the Channel box.

5) Change the midtone contrast.

Change the middle Input Level to .90 from 1.00.

This reduces yellow.

Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer

6) Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

The Hue/Saturation window will open.

Make the adjustments described below.

7) Select Reds in the box that has Master inside the box.

8) Decrease the saturation by -7.

This reduces red slightly.

Compare the skin tones, and RGB values, of the two versions below.

By reducing blue from 163 to 156 (a change of 9), 9 yellow was added.

The skin tone is now less pink.

Original

R: 225

G: 186

B: 163

R > G > B Method

R: 223

G: 186

B: 156