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Participant
March 29, 2011
Answered

What are the ranges for correct skin tones using RGB%?

  • March 29, 2011
  • 6 replies
  • 66849 views

What are the ranges for correct skin tones using RGB%?  Used to using a scale from 0 to 255.  But with LR it's RGB  , I know 100% RGB is white.  What do you use for %?

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Correct answer Butch_M

While I whole heartedly agree that we should not be constrained to hard and fast numbers for accurate skin tones ... LR does offer an RGB color readout ... I am assuming they made those percentages available for the user to monitor the breakdown of specific color values for a reason ... so we could have an indication of how a specific color in an image will be reproduced ...

I liken this to using a speedometer ... while many experienced drivers in well tuned vehicles can travel on the highway at the prescribed legal speed limit without really monitoring the readout on the dashboard ... however, there are times when they would like to verify the speed at which they are traveling ... the RGB color percentage readout in LR is no different ... just a source of information to verify you are achieving what you desire ...

Again, going by specific numbers in this instance, I believe, could lead to problems ... there may be times when you may desire or actually need to adjust skin tones ... even though a pleasing WB has been achieved ... the relationship of R, G and B can be used to get you there.

From what I have researched and put into practice with LR the following seems to be a good starting point and the data was borrowed from "the pixelation" blog:

R: highest %
G: middle %
B: lowest %

To get a little more specific. In general,
R: Y + (15-20)
G: average of R and B
B: R – (15-20)

For example, the following values represent common Caucasian skin tones using the rules above:
* R: 80%; G: 70%; B: 60%. R is 20 points higher than B, and G is midway between R and B. That’s perfect.

*  R: 86%, G: 78%; B: 70% also reflects a nicely balanced skin tone.  Again, G is midway between R and B, and R is 16 points higher than B. This, too, illustrates a great relationship among the colors.

6 replies

GmodTinyBoxTim
Participant
January 14, 2017

Hey I found that this one worked for me: E2B68A

lee36Author
Participant
April 2, 2011

Thanks Butch for your helpful feedback!

Butch_MCorrect answer
Inspiring
March 29, 2011

While I whole heartedly agree that we should not be constrained to hard and fast numbers for accurate skin tones ... LR does offer an RGB color readout ... I am assuming they made those percentages available for the user to monitor the breakdown of specific color values for a reason ... so we could have an indication of how a specific color in an image will be reproduced ...

I liken this to using a speedometer ... while many experienced drivers in well tuned vehicles can travel on the highway at the prescribed legal speed limit without really monitoring the readout on the dashboard ... however, there are times when they would like to verify the speed at which they are traveling ... the RGB color percentage readout in LR is no different ... just a source of information to verify you are achieving what you desire ...

Again, going by specific numbers in this instance, I believe, could lead to problems ... there may be times when you may desire or actually need to adjust skin tones ... even though a pleasing WB has been achieved ... the relationship of R, G and B can be used to get you there.

From what I have researched and put into practice with LR the following seems to be a good starting point and the data was borrowed from "the pixelation" blog:

R: highest %
G: middle %
B: lowest %

To get a little more specific. In general,
R: Y + (15-20)
G: average of R and B
B: R – (15-20)

For example, the following values represent common Caucasian skin tones using the rules above:
* R: 80%; G: 70%; B: 60%. R is 20 points higher than B, and G is midway between R and B. That’s perfect.

*  R: 86%, G: 78%; B: 70% also reflects a nicely balanced skin tone.  Again, G is midway between R and B, and R is 16 points higher than B. This, too, illustrates a great relationship among the colors.

cfransw
Inspiring
March 29, 2011

In Develop Module just hover over the skin you want to analyze and watch the numbers under the histogram.

Inspiring
March 29, 2011

lee@LEETHOMPSONPHOTOGRAPH wrote:

... Used to using a scale from 0 to 255.  But with LR it's RGB  , I know 100% RGB is white.  What do you use for %?

No commenting on the specific numbers and the sense they make or do not make, 100% in LR is what you used to see as 255, 50% is 127 and the rest is math.

Beat

Participating Frequently
March 29, 2011

That depends extremely heavily on the particular person's skin.  I've never felt these skin tone numbers people publish make a heck of a lot of sense.

Use a good white balance approach instead.

Participant
March 29, 2011

Lee Jay wrote:

That depends extremely heavily on the particular person's skin.   Use a good white balance approach instead.

Definitely agree, but there are some very basic estimates that can help get within the range. Then use your eye & a well balanced monitor to tweak and perfect.

Here is one basic rule of thumb for average skinned caucasian: 20 points difference between R & B with G as close to the middle as possible. Example 75% R, 65% G, 55% B. For darker skin, numbers will be higher, for more yellow in skin, decrease blue value, etc.

Again, this is just a starting point. One problem you'll likely run into is that without a Cyan channel it's tough to get good separation between R & B. Use temp & tint to start, then if you need more separation, you can play with the Red hue slider in HSL. Move toward orange can have a similar effect to adding Cyan (though not perfect). Careful with HSL, though. It's easy to drain the lips and cheeks of color. You may need to use the saturation / spot tool to mask back in some color.

Note: I'm sure you know this, but just in case you hadn't figured it out, you can use the white balance dropper tool to hover over skin and check your values.

For perfect tones, still recommend CMYK in PS.

Good luck!