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Young House Love » Random » Take That Blue Light

| By John Petersik | January 6, 2012 | 95 Comments

Take That Blue Light

We’re not the best photographers, but we are trying to get better as we go. And that’s why we find ourselves doing things like this in the middle of homespun photoshoots.

BlueLight John With Blanket

See how neon blue it looks behind me in that picture? That’s because when shooting our artificially-lit kitchen, any natural light looks like that. Usually not a problem, except when some window light shines through and makes a subtle blue splash on the freshly painted cabinets that we’re trying to take pictures of. Sherry doesn’t always notice these things, but they drive me crazy. See the blue-ish light reflecting off the doors and the side of the peninsula? It’s taunting me.

BlueLight Before

So with the help of my trusty blanket (which blocked the light coming in from the living room) and Sherry behind the camera, we got this shot instead.

BlueLight After

It’s subtle, but it makes me very happy. According to Sherry “it’s exactly the same thing.” And I might have been called a dork. But no sir, John Petersik sees the difference. And will not stand for pesky lighting inconsistencies. Not on my watch.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for AllynAllyn says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:15 am

    Wow. Good use of taunting. That’s such a great word.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for SaraSara says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Yes! I can see the difference too! Except that it’s more like shadow and then no shadow, as opposed to blue light and no blue light. But either way – definitely a difference.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Kristen @ Popcorn on the StoveKristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:25 am

    I know exactly what you mean with natural light. Whenever it discolors things, I try to just clean it up in Photoshop. Oh well… could be worse. More than weird lighting effects, I hate having to use my flash because the lighting feels so harsh.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for AdrienneAdrienne says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:25 am

    I love your guys’ stuff so much, that i’m totally happy with either photo. HOWEVER, i’m totally with you John. Blue light specials should be left at kame-a-part, k-mart :)

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Jessica @ Quirky BookwormJessica @ Quirky Bookworm says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:25 am

    Have to say, I’m with Sherry. I don’t see a difference at all. You must have super vision!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for SandiSandi says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:26 am

    I see this difference! Of course, I have to pick colors for work all the time, so I know that the CFLs in my studio are different that the halogen bulbs downstairs and the outside light. We’ve been know to take color samples outside to check in rain, snow or shine.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for PennyPenny says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:27 am

    You, sir, are awesome.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for toni fromtoni from says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:27 am

    sorry John I don’t see the difference either, might be more noticeable in person perhaps. LOL

    Reply
  9. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:32 am

    i see the difference, but i cant even pretend to be a good enough photographer to worry about stuff like that in my own photos. however it comes out of the camera is how it stays!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:34 am

    Haha I do see the difference now that you show the two pictures side by side, but I would NEVER have noticed it just looking at the first picture. I love it, though.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Um, I can see it but only after staring. The joys of perfectionism! :)

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Mandy SMandy S says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:38 am

    I totally see it! But honestly, if you didn’t post about it, I would have never really paid attention to it. I guess I just see it as a whole, until you said something, and now that’s all I can see in the first pic!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for LMNLMN says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:39 am

    way to go the extra mile!…or extra blanket, same thing :-) and i never think Clara looks like John, but the face hehind the blanket totally looks like Clara!

    Reply
    • Avatar for ToniToni says

      January 7, 2012 at 7:53 am

      No kidding! Total Clara-face. :)

  14. Avatar for RenataRenata says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:40 am

    Of course there’s a difference. Maybe if you tell people to look towards the refrigerator they’ll see the blue color more. I agree taking pictures of white things is difficult and I’m glad you go through the trouble of fixing it. It bother me too a bit. Great job!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for ClairClair says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I definitely see the difference. It also kills the glare on the fridge and the shadow from the glass dome on the counter. Much cleaner shot.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:41 am

    It’s sort of like the Highlights Magazine – what’s different in these two photos. At first they looked exactly the same but now I can tell a difference in the paint color and the shadows!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for ValerieValerie says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:41 am

    John – you would like using Adobe Lightroom! It is like photoshop for all of us who can see subtle differences like the one here!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for MeaghanMeaghan says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:47 am

    Oh John – so funny, you make me laugh. I can imagine the conversation between the two of you.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for nancyonancyo says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:49 am

    Is this a ploy to get us to spend more time on your site? ;)
    I just spent 5 minutes or so trying to see the difference in the top and bottom picture.

    If this was a vote and your readers were forced to settle marital disputes — I vote for Sherry’s case. I don’t see a difference.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:04 am

      Haha- I just told John I was taking a picture of his head over that blanket and if he really wanted to keep it real he should blog about his light-blocking neurosis on YHLife. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  20. Avatar for LeahLeah says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:50 am

    Ha! That’s hilariously nerdy. I mean that in a good way. I’m the same kind of perfectionist!

    -Leah

    Reply
  21. Avatar for RosemaryRosemary says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:50 am

    I see it John!!!! Great eye :)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for KarrieKarrie says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:51 am

    For those who can’t see it, look at the refrigerator. That’s where I notice it the most.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for LeanneLeanne says

    January 6, 2012 at 10:59 am

    It’s the little things that make all the difference. I never would have noticed the blue in the 1st picture, but the contrasting 2nd picture is clearly superior. Well done! Bizarre Internet World Sidenote: the image showed up on Pinterest before today’s post even popped into my google reader. You guys clearly have some devoted readers out there!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:06 am

      Woah- that’s crazy! So flattered of course.

      xo,
      s

  24. Avatar for Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication[email protected] says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Sounds like me and my husband! I never would have noticed but a detail like that would drive him nuts!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for JamesJames says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:06 am

    What about using camera filters? The polarized filter might be able to cut the blue tones out.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:06 am

      Oh yes, that could help too!

      xo,
      s

  26. Avatar for foofoo says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:08 am

    I most definitely see the difference. Yes, it’s more difficult to get the right white balance when you have two different sources of light. Good job, John.

    =)

    Reply
  27. Avatar for susansusan says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:09 am

    That kind of attention to detail matters-I read other similar home improvement blogs and am bothered by the quality of the pics and click away! I totally see what John is talking about!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for elaineelaine says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:09 am

    ha. love it. I’m a graphic designer John so I TOTALLY see the difference. Deal with this sort of thing all the time so I ‘got yo back’. Great use of ‘props'(blankie). And I also like how it toned down the shadows AND the blue tint in the glass (on counter top) which is hard to shoot, especially when you have green behind it (which we all know is a ‘cool’ colour with a base of blue). So, all that to say, well done. Great job and this reader ‘noticed’. ;)

    Reply
  29. Avatar for AndreaAndrea says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:10 am

    If anyone has tips or a resource on how to take good photos of interiors, I would love to see it. Just getting enough light in the first place is tricky enough. Then there is the issue of all the crazy different colors that come along with different light sources. I agree that a flash is unacceptable.

    Reply
  30. Avatar for Maureen @ This (Kinda) Old HouseMaureen @ This (Kinda) Old House says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:11 am

    I can totally see the difference. In my house of crazy natural light/lock of natural light problems, I can totally appreciate this. My insanely tiny bathroom is a pain in the arse to shoot pics in for this very reason.

    Reply
  31. Avatar for MeaganMeagan says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:11 am

    Ha! I totally don’t really see it. I mean, maybe if I squint….
    But, this is why ya’ll are so successful! Perfectionism and the balance ya’ll have between each other. love it.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for AndriaAndria says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:17 am

    I think the most obvious difference is actually the right side of the fridge, before and after. I couldn’t really tell on the counters.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for KimKim says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:18 am

    Sorry if this is in the post (I swear I read it, but I can’t figure it out), but where did you hold the blanket to get that shot?

    Reply
    • Avatar for KimKim says

      January 6, 2012 at 11:19 am

      Nevermind!!! I read living room but thought dining room. I get it now :)

  34. Avatar for kaylankaylan says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:26 am

    i always assumed you took the pictures at night because there weren’t weird shadows in your kitchen photos. needless to say, i notice the difference and appreciate your dedication to blanket holding/light blocking :-)

    Reply
  35. Avatar for Shannon @ Bungalow960Shannon @ Bungalow960 says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:32 am

    I’m glad to know that I am not the only one living with a crazy lighting obsessed person. My boyfriend is an electrical engineer and lighting designer, so there is always SOMETHING not quite up to snuff for him. But on the good side, that means everything in my house is always well lit!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Ali MillerAli Miller says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:34 am

    I never would have noticed, either. However, it definitely adds a level of professionalism. That’s one of the things that is so great about you guys: Reading your writing, you come off as pretty casual, easy going, and fun to read. On the flip side, you’re very devoted and always do the best job you can–true professionals.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Sew ViewSew View says

      January 6, 2012 at 2:56 pm

      Spot on. That’s exactly it. John and Sherry, you are truly impressive.

    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      January 6, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      Aw thanks guys!

      xo,
      s

  37. Avatar for Jen from insidewaysJen from insideways says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:40 am

    From another amature home photo taker, mixed lighting drives me crazy too! For me it’s always that I forget to turn off my kitchen light when I take pictures in the natural light of the living room. The yellow tungsten glow drives me *crazy*. John, I totally see it!!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:53 am

    I see the difference, but the 1st picture looked fine to me. My husband is a professional videographer and obsesses about this stuff all the time…. I’ll be trying to get a picture of our daughter & he’s running around adjusting curtains, complaining about the “weird shadows”. My only goal is to get her smiling and he’s obsessed with the light! Glad he’s not the only husband who worries about that. :-)

    Reply
  39. Avatar for SamSam says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    My husband is a lighting designer, those are the details that drive him crazy too! My parents had mixed tone cfls in their kitchen and because he has made me aware of these differences I totally had to change them to all match for them :)

    Reply
  40. Avatar for Jessica DiamondJessica Diamond says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    I can totally tell the difference between the two. I’m such a freak about things like that too.

    Reply
  41. Avatar for VeronikaVeronika says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    I think it looks totally the same!

    Just kidding it does look better in the second shot! I luv how u guys pay attention to details!

    way to go Sr. John Petersik The Blue Light Blocker

    Reply
  42. Avatar for MicheleMichele says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    I can see it too and it drives me insane when it happens in my pictures too! Using the blanket was smart! Not only did it get rid of the blueish cast but it also took care of the light flare-up on the fridge door! YEAH!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for AnnaAnna says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    the photographer in me <3's this. it's the kind of thing i do! love the keepin' it real s+j!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    Well that was adorable…. ;-)

    Reply
  45. Avatar for Adrienne JAdrienne J says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    That’s genius John! I can definitely see the difference! Thanks for the blanket trick idea.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for rachaelrachael says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    Totally see the difference. I don’t know if I would’ve thought of it if you hadn’t posted the “perfect” picture, but I can see that it is clearly a much better representation of the cabinet color. Its ok to be fussy, John!!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for SandySandy says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    Ummm … this can truly mess with someone’s head John. I don’t see a darn thing. Is this one of those things “how to keep a %#@$!!” guessing? :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Young House LifeYoung House Life says

      January 6, 2012 at 2:37 pm

      Haha- you’re like me Sandy. Apparently we’re not very detailed folks!

      xo,
      s

  48. Avatar for T.D.T.D. says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    I’m no pro photographer, but I can see the difference too! And have to agree with another commenter- flash can be so harsh too!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    There is definitely a difference!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for HollyHolly says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Yeah, sometimes ‘blue lights’ aren’t so special.

    Can definately see the difference! As a beginner DSLR user I’m seeing a lot of this kind of thing so THANK YOU for the blanket trick AND all the white balance info you have shared in the past as well!

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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