Colour help. Auto vs Manual.

[Starkz]

Hi, this is my first post here. I came across the forums trying to find some help and it looks like a huge wealth of information. Still making my way through

My question is in regards to the different outputs I am getting on my camera depending on if I use Auto or manual settings. I just got the camera the other day, I havn't used one since uni so wanted a digital P&S that could be fully manual. But since I'm so rusty I'm having some begining pains. Any help would be great.

Have a look at the two pics below. The first was done with Auto : F2.8, 1/25, ISO 200, Atuo White Balance. The second I did in manual : F2.8, 1/20, ISO 200, Cloudy White Balance. Obviously the white balance is the only difference here. But can that really account for the huge difference in colour? Am I doing something wrong?





Cheers.

[Nicole]

Yes, white balance can account for a huge difference in colours I'm not sure what camera you have, but I'm sure in the manual it tells you how to take a picture with different white balances. Try each one on the same scene and you'll see how much of a difference it can make

And welcome to the forums!

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by Starkz

Obviously the white balance is the only difference here. But can that really account for the huge difference in colour? Am I doing something wrong?

Yes to the first; no to the second. White balance shifts do indeed cause huge changes in color. This is one of the amazing things our own vision system does — the brain tries to make sense of all colors as nice and neutral, even when they've really got a strong cast from the lighting.

Check out these color illusions for a powerful demonstration of how strong this effect is: http://www.lottolab.org/Colour%20illusions%20page.html

[Starkz]

Thanks guys. Yup Nicole, thats a good idea. I've been taking about 10 pics of the same subject with different settings to test them out. But with Auto I always get a blueish tinge. Also, sorry, I am using a Leica D-Lux3. We got a good discount getting some gear for work. It looked like a fun camera to play with. have to say I really like it so far.

Cheers Matt, I've seen those images before. Amazing stuff. I just didn't realise the actual shift in hue would be so big with different white balance settings.

- Alex.

[FrankenPengie]

Your Leica has 2 manual WB Presets on the menu and one selection to set the presets. Read up on that and keep something white handy for those odd lighting situations.