The danger of using colour in photos to identify products as counterfeit

[caffn8me]

Quite often, the colour of an item in a photograph doesn't look "quite right". This doesn't mean that the item is counterfeit.

Colour in photographs isn't a reliable indicator of authenticity.

The following photographs were all taken with the same camera on the same day. The differences were in lighting and camera setting. All lighting was artificial. Some pictures were taken with flash and some without.

From top left to bottom right the shadows (which are genuine M·A·C) are;

Cranberry
Quarry
Amber Lights
Chrome Yellow
Electric Eel
Orange
Satin Taupe​

The first picture is about the best colour rendition that my camera will achieve when viewed on my computer monitor. I am even not happy with that one as Electric Eel and Chrome Yellow have lost some of their vibrancy. Your computer monitor may make things look totally different! Another reason not to trust colour as an indicator.

So, before you ask "does this colour look right?" you need to ask yourself "could it be the lighting? The camera or the monitor?"

 

[little teaser]

thanks for the info i think camera always alter the true color i notice that looking at everyones pics of there collection here

 

[W6n]

thanx for this information

 

[caffn8me]

Update: 10th January 2009 - I've just fixed the pictures so they work again.

 

[adruci]

so true! this is helpful for everyone!