White Balance Adjustment

[LensHunter]

I've always had a challenge with white balance being new to photography. In the first picture below, the original, there is way too much orange and red. I used the white balance adjustment in the ZoomBrowzer software that came with my Canon since my version (7.0) of PhotoShop apparently can't handle Canon RAW image files (.CRW) I simply opened the RAW image, set down the Kelvin temp to 2800 from 5800, and wola, the picture matches much better what I saw, WHEN I was taking the photo. I also am now studying how to adjust the white balance and set it before taking photos. Can't wait to use it as intended, before and while taking the shots...

@ Kelvin 5800:



and @ 2800:

[innershell]

It is so much more convient to get the WB correct right out of the camera without having to resort post-processing. Capturing in RAW helps with that flexibility, but you don't want to always rely on it.

However, when I'm in a situation where I don't have the time to properly setup my shots, I set it to Auto WB and just worry about the results later because I always shoot in raw. But it is too daunting of a task to go through and fix the white balance issues later.

[Loose_Canon]

Originally Posted by innershell

It is so much more convient to get the WB correct right out of the camera without having to resort post-processing. Capturing in RAW helps with that flexibility, but you don't want to always rely on it.

However, when I'm in a situation where I don't have the time to properly setup my shots, I set it to Auto WB and just worry about the results later because I always shoot in raw. But it is too daunting of a task to go through and fix the white balance issues later.

Amen to that! Always better to get it in camera. Especially if your shooting hundreds of pix at an event.

[tjlmpc]

Originally Posted by Loose_Canon

Amen to that! Always better to get it in camera. Especially if your shooting hundreds of pix at an event.

Oh, my gosh, do I know THAT one! I once took pictures of Space Camp graduation for a group of kids that I was chaperoning...then had to edit every one of the hundred or so pictures that I took because they were all under bad lighting.

[RoyL]

Originally Posted by Loose_Canon

Amen to that! Always better to get it in camera. Especially if your shooting hundreds of pix at an event.

I was searching to see if there was any posts on White Balance but for something different and came across this thread. The quote pulled me in and can answer the "hundreds of pics" and my question or whatever it is.

I always leave my WB set on Daylight as I always post process in Camera Raw, cause I shoot Raw and normally I manually adjust the settings myself.

By accident I Selected Auto for WB in Camera Raw and it did a pretty close job. I shoot maybe 100+ shots a day, I use the Bridge to preview my images for processing so all I need to do is pull one image into Camera Raw and save out the correct settings and then apply the settings to all the files from the Bridge.

Then you never have to quickly adjust your WB or have someone hold a card because of changed light conditions. One less thing to think about allows your brain/eye more time to seek that moment in time to shoot.

Great shot.

[kirbinster]

If you use a program like lightroom you can adjust hundreds of shots in one click if they were all taken under the same lighting conditions.

[innershell]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

If you use a program like lightroom you can adjust hundreds of shots in one click if they were all taken under the same lighting conditions.

I use LightZone which also has this feature. However, I find that only small batches have similar lighting conditions that will be suitable for this technique. It's definitely helpful, but not a feature to be used frequently with hundreds of pictures.

[peeperita]

setting custom white balance in camera is my latest course of self teaching....i'm kinda getting a kick out of seeing what the differences are between when i use awb and when i set it myself.....a white sheet of paper is in my gear bag now.....

peeper

[m.c.adams]

I've been messing with this myself. I have a coffee filter and a pringles can lid in my case.
Mark

[intoksicated]

I always shoot RAW...

if it's something i really want to capture great right in that instant (i have time to set-up) i use a gray card... i have it all the time.

if it's something that i have to shoot right away... i use my best judgement and choose the proper setting... if i'm not satisfied, i'll PP it when i get home.