How To Adjust White Balance In Pretty Actions

Cover White Balance Comparing the different ways to set it White balance photography, Photography (640x854)

Table of Contents

• What is White Balance?
• Why is White Balance Important?
• How to Set White Balance
• Common Issues with White Balance
• Tips for White Balance

What is White Balance?

White balance is a setting on your camera that adjusts the colors in your photos to make them look more natural. When you take a photo, the color of the light source can affect the way your photo looks. For example, if you take a photo indoors under yellowish incandescent light, your photo may look too yellow. Similarly, if you take a photo outside on a cloudy day, your photo may look too blue.

White balance helps you correct these color casts and make the colors in your photo look true to life. Essentially, it adjusts the balance of colors in your photo so that white objects appear white, no matter what kind of light you're shooting under.

Why is White Balance Important?

White balance is important because it affects the overall look and feel of your photos. If your white balance is off, your photo can look unnatural and unappealing. For example, a photo that is too yellow can make people look sickly, and a photo that is too blue can make people look cold and uninviting.

Additionally, white balance can affect the mood of your photo. For example, a photo with warm, yellowish tones can feel cozy and inviting, while a photo with cool, bluish tones can feel more sterile and formal.

How to Set White Balance

There are several ways to set your white balance, depending on your camera and shooting situation.

Auto White Balance

Auto white balance is a setting on most cameras that will automatically adjust the white balance for you. This is a good option if you're just starting out and aren't sure how to set your white balance manually. However, auto white balance isn't always perfect and can still produce color casts in some situations.

Preset White Balance

Many cameras also have preset white balance options for different lighting situations, such as daylight, cloudy, shade, tungsten, fluorescent, and flash. These presets can be a good starting point if you know what kind of lighting you're shooting under.

Custom White Balance

If you want the most accurate white balance possible, you can set a custom white balance. To do this, you'll need a white or gray card, which you can purchase at a photography store or online. Simply hold the card in front of your subject and take a photo of it, making sure the card fills the entire frame. Then, go into your camera's custom white balance menu and select the photo of the white or gray card. Your camera will then adjust the white balance based on the color temperature of the light in your specific shooting situation.

Common Issues with White Balance

Even with the best white balance settings, there are still some common issues that can affect the color in your photos.

Mixed Lighting

If you're shooting in a location with multiple light sources, such as a room with both natural light and artificial light, it can be difficult to get the white balance exactly right. In these situations, you may need to adjust your white balance manually or use a photo editing software to correct the color cast.

Shooting in RAW

Shooting in RAW format can give you more control over your white balance in post-processing. When you shoot in RAW, your camera records all the data from the sensor, including the color temperature and white balance settings. You can then adjust the white balance in post-processing using software such as Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.

Tips for White Balance

Here are some tips to help you get the best white balance in your photos:

Shoot in RAW

As mentioned earlier, shooting in RAW can give you more control over your white balance in post-processing.

Use a Gray Card

Using a gray card can help you set a custom white balance and get more accurate colors in your photos.

Adjust Manually

If you're shooting in a tricky lighting situation, don't be afraid to adjust your white balance manually. You can use the Kelvin scale to adjust the color temperature of your photo.

Conclusion

White balance is an important aspect of photography that can greatly affect the look and feel of your photos. By understanding the different white balance settings and common issues, you can ensure that your photos look natural and appealing. Remember to shoot in RAW, use a gray card, and don't be afraid to adjust your white balance manually when needed.