polarizing filter and white balance

[OsmosisStudios]

ken: White does change from paper to paper, but it's still (255,255,255) on a monitor. Assuming you arent overexposing it, it's a fine tool. The trick is knowing the difference between "exposed" and "blown out", which is fairly elemental.

You still shouldnt be printing your own grey cards in the method you describe.

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

ken: White does change from paper to paper, but it's still (255,255,255) on a monitor. Assuming you arent overexposing it, it's a fine tool. The trick is knowing the difference between "exposed" and "blown out", which is fairly elemental.

You still shouldnt be printing your own grey cards in the method you describe.

The grey card doesn't need to be exact-all it needs to be is neutral in color and tone,could be green or brown,or any neutral color
.

[OsmosisStudios]

Actually be definition it's grey. It's supposed to have a constant value (ie a RGB value of (xx,xx,xx) and not (xx,yy,zz)).

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Actually be definition it's grey. It's supposed to have a constant value (ie a RGB value of (xx,xx,xx) and not (xx,yy,zz)).

For exposure, yes, but what's required for white balance is neutral color and neutral tone.

[DavidD]

Interesting discussion/debate - thanks for sharing everone.

Does anyone use a manufactured card for WB or exposure?

Kind Regards
David

[CaptainNH]

Someone bought me a Spyder Cube for my birthday and I have to say, I love it.



Helps me set my white balance and exposure quickly and accurately every time. It's been a timesaver for wedding shots, even if people do wonder what the hell I'm doing photographing a Christmas tree decoration

[DavidD]

Originally Posted by CaptainNH

Someone bought me a Spyder Cube for my birthday and I have to say, I love it.



Helps me set my white balance and exposure quickly and accurately every time. It's been a timesaver for wedding shots, even if people do wonder what the hell I'm doing photographing a Christmas tree decoration

... unless it IS one.. bet they are laughing their socks off every time you go out ...
Thanks, will check it out captain

[Keith]

Originally Posted by ali_mama

all of this is very enlightening! I'll try a gray card - until now I've been using an ordinary A4 all-purpose paper folded in half to not be transparent and holding it in front of the camera...

What is just as good as an 18% grey card is an expanse of grass or soil. Most images average out to about 18% grey or a midtone which is what you are looking at. Your camera can be fooled by an image which is considerably different in tone, such as a black cat on a heap of coal which the camera will try to make grey by overexposing, or a sheet of white snow which the camera will underexpose to try to bring the white back to grey