'Flat' Images

[Amp34]

I tend to find a lot of my images seem a bit flat, or lacking in contrast/colour but when I try to up the contrast I end up with a really unnatural image, with shadows overly black when the rest of the image starts to look ok (especially in B&W). I also find some landscapes seem to lack a bit of 'punch', with greens not looking particularly green and sunsets usually looking a bit of a muddy brown instead of a nice orangy red. I shoot in RAW and have tried adjusting WB and levels.

Can anyone offer some tips and pointers as to how to get more punchy images?

Thanks

 

[King_Boru]

Some samples might help.

 

[Charlie C]

there's not a quick fix for this. just generally working with photoshop or similar untill u get the desired results.

1: maybe its something to do with your shots...but probably not fro what your saying. however, the lighting on the shoot is the most important factor for getting nice colours and contrast. the magic light at certain times of day is just so much better than other times (u probably know this though: sunset and sunrise times).

2: try using curves in photoshop/lightroom/camera raw to adjust contrast, it gives u much more control over the blacks and highlights than other ways (e.g. levels).

3: you can boost saturation if needed in camera raw and most photo editing software. this may help give a bit more punch to the colours (just be careful not to over do it)