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Color is an important topic for me as I know that my vision is red-green color deficient. I struggle with getting my colors “right” knowing that I see colors differently than the majority “normal” individuals. Of course, there is also a major element of taste. Here are some things I do – and don’t do – to try to get the color in my photographs “right.”
A good place to begin is with your lighting. I tend to favor strobes or video lights with a lower color temperature, i.e. more red. LEDs tend to have higher color temperatures, i.e. richer in blues. It is the reds that are most strongly absorbed under water. Also, it is important to be close enough to your subject that you get the optimal benefit from your lighting.
One thing I don’t do is fool with the camera’s color profile. I shoot in RAW and can readily make any changes to color in post-processing.
Another thing I do is color calibrate the displays for the computer(s) I use for editing. I use the Spyder X2 Elite, which is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. At least I know that the display is showing “correct” color, whether or not I can see it and who knows what others are seeing on their phones and how a lab might make a print.
The last and often most effective thing I do is ask others. I usually do this only for my best pictures. I’ll ask my wife but also use the Forum and Coffee Chats sponsored by TUC. The comments and suggestions I’ve received have been helpful and given in a positive spirit. I save my RAW images so I can go back and try whatever changes are recommended by my TUC colleagues.
Given my own issues with color vision, I tend not to give specific suggestions to others. Good luck with getting your color dialed in.