Using Datacolor's Spydercube in post processing of a landscape photograph.

[daveb91365459]

Is it possible to use the Spydercube as a way to adjust the white balance, etc., when post-processing a photo?

I am thinking of taking a photo of cube in the area where I am taking the photo. Then, somehow using the cube photo as a guide. Or, use the color picker tool to pickup the cube color, then move to the photo being worked on.

Of course, as time pass during a shoot a new photo of the cube would be needed to ensure the color matches the light.

Any work arounds or alternatives would be apprecated.

Thanks.

[Jeff Arola · Accepted solution]

Have you watched the video on their site that explains the basics?

Datacolor SpyderCube

Removing Image colour casts using the Datacolor SpyderCUBE - YouTube

[daveb91365459]

Jeff,

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately, I noticed in the video Photoshop was being used. In addition the Camera Raw version is different that that used in PS Elements. I am using Elements 16, which is using CR 9.12. I have read Adobe uses a version of CR, in Element, with less bells and whistles.

In the Elements 16 version of CR there is no option to save and name, as seen in the video. So?

[MichelBParis]

daveb91365459  wrote

Jeff,

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately, I noticed in the video Photoshop was being used. In addition the Camera Raw version is different that that used in PS Elements. I am using Elements 16, which is using CR 9.12. I have read Adobe uses a version of CR, in Element, with less bells and whistles.

In the Elements 16 version of CR there is no option to save and name, as seen in the video. So?

Adobe needs to offer different tools in the 'consumer' product (Elements) and in the 'pro' one (Photoshop).

So Elements keeps the main features of its 'pro' version (the fundamental ones) and skips the features which can be cared for by the normal features of the pixel editor. You don't save or print raw files from the ACR converter, you use the 'Open' button and do that from the editor you are used to. Most of the missing features in the Elements ACR version are available in the editor. You can even enjoy some missing ones in an affordable add-on like Elements+.

Also, when shooting in situations where the color temperature is apt to change, the idea of simply shooting the cube and using the white balance tool in the ACR module is very useful as well as extremely simple.