washed out colors

[Jim Nelson]

Hi,

 

What's the difference between washed out colors and pastel colors? Isn't the same thing?

 

 

Thanks for your help :)

[Adrian Sierkowski]

Subjectively they could refer to the same things or similar things. Generally, though when I think of "washed out colors," i think of colors which are over-exposed, where as pastel colors are, well pastel.

 

for example

 

washed out colors:

 

http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/washedout___.jpg

 

 

pastel colors

 

http://brianruebphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Panther-Pastel.jpg

 

 

you could say pastel colors aren't "pure," colors, like a "pure" blue etc, whereas washed out colors are above pastel (so a pastel blue + white) or that's how I use the terms.

[Steve Wallace]

In line with what Adrian is saying. I think it is a function of exposure. Washed out equals over-exposed, including gray blacks and an overall brightness to the screen. With pastel, while the hue may be similar (or the same), the exposure would be correct. So your blacks would be rich and you density should be normal.

 

Pastel is achieved through set design / color timing (chemical) / color grading (digital) or by using stocks like the old Fuji 400 IIRC. It is not achieved by overexposing. Or at least its not advisable to achieve it this way.

[Jim Nelson]

Thanks for your help :)

 

I'm still a bit confused because I thought washed out colors are colors that are not bright/saturated. And I thought pastel colors are soft colors. So it's not so clear to me :(

[Adrian Sierkowski]

with "washed out," think "white washed" Pastel colors are "softer," often more subtly gradated.

[Jim Nelson]

Thank you very much for your help :)

 

In the link below, is this what you call washed out? or is this saturated colors?

 

[Adrian Sierkowski]

Yeah i'd say some of those colors get pretty washed out, especially when the sun is flaring in the lens, some of it isn't. Most of the prod design is pretty light colors etc.

[Jim Nelson]

Thanks for your help.

 

What about the light shining on the singers when they're in the car? Isn't that quite saturated?

Edited August 18, 2010 by Jim Nelson