White Balance examples

Mike McCarty · 06-14-2005, 11:02 PM

I was fiddling around with my white balance and thought I'd show some of the variations that are possible within the same lighting conditions.

As I was going through this I wondered just what it was that I was proving with these examples. The one thing interesting is that the first three: auto, incandescent and preset / gray card should have all been acceptable. Auto, theoretically, should be figuring out what is right (?), incandescent is exactly what it was, and the preset 18% gray card should have been spot on. To my eye the auto is not that great, and the gray card was the closest to reality.

The rest you would expect to be fouled up, but it does show the necessity of having your WB set to match your conditions.

Nighttime indoors, regular lamp bulb, Nikon D70, 500 ISO, landscape

1) Auto
2) Incandescent
3) Preset - 18% gray card
4) Flash
5) Fluorescent
6) Direct Sun
7) Cloudy

Mike McCarty · 06-14-2005, 11:03 PM

5, 6, 7

Kimberly Dow · 06-15-2005, 03:18 AM

Mike,

I know this has all been covered before, but I wasnt ready then. If you have the time and/or are inclined...can you tell me how/why you set to a grey card?

With my Rebel, I always seem to get the best photos when I set to the conditions instead of the auto WB. At least as far as indoors in concerned - Im not as positive about outdoors yet though.

Mike McCarty · 06-15-2005, 08:35 AM

Kim,

I'm new to the gray card but I like it. Mine is a 8" x 10" piece of cardboard with a neutral (rather dark) gray covering one side. The neutral gray is designed to reflect 18% of the light hitting it.

I'll read you what it says from the instructions on the back of the card:

"Light meters and camera meters are calibrated to average the light reflected off a scene so that the <film> will record the scene as average. The average scene will reflect approximately the same as a gray card or 18%. However, if the scene is not average, it is necessary to make an adjustment to the setting of your meter. This is the time to use your gray card. It will help you determine the proper exposure adjustments."

I've been using my gray card a lot lately outside taking progress photos of a painting. I'm getting the best color renditions I've ever gotten using this method. I think that if you can, it's probably the best white balance exposure method there is.

Again from the instructions:

"First, it is important that the gray card and your subject are receiving the same illumination. Second, position the gray card so there are no shadows, glare, or hotspots on the card itself. By holding the camera approximately 6" from the card, you will get the appropriate reading of light reflecting off the card. When making your reading avoid casting a shadow on the card. "

Cameras will do this differently so from here you need to consult with your own manual, but mine goes something like this: In the "P"rogram mode, I set the wb to preset, push and hold a wb button on the back of the camera until a preset light begins to flash. I then position about 6" away, fill the view finder with the card and snap the shutter release. I then get a flashing "good" indication that the procedure worked. It will use that setting until I change it.

It's easy to accept things as "OK" when you don't have anything to compare to. I think I get pretty good service out of the Auto WB setting outside, but I wonder. I may make some outdoor comparisons.

I've not figured out how to use the card for taking sunset pictures. When the light source is your subject where do you place the card?

Kimberly Dow · 06-15-2005, 06:30 PM

I'm going to have to give this a try. The more I learn..the more complicated it all gets.

Thanks for the explanations!

Allan Rahbek · 06-15-2005, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

I've not figured out how to use the card for taking sunset pictures. When the light source is your subject where do you place the card?

Mike,
I don

Richard Budig · 07-22-2005, 10:47 AM

Mike, et al:

What else can you tell me about the white level or white balance in these digitals.

I'll go first: I recently discovered my white balance settings, and so far, I'm happy as a clam in fresh ocean water. I have been getting better quality photos and color since learning about this through the manual that came with the camera (Konica Minolta Dimage Z10).

However, I've been reading your comments about the gray card. Are you using this in place of the plain white paper mentioned in my instructions, and if so, how is it working. If not, what benefits can be gotten from using a gray card? Do you use it in the same way as the plain piece of white paper?

Mike McCarty · 07-22-2005, 11:11 AM

Richard,

I believe that it is in place of the white paper. My understanding is that the 18% gray card is the precise "benchmark" from which the camera can measure reflected light.

I don't have any experience with using the white paper method. I would think that one trouble would be that there are all sorts of whites.

My camera does a pretty good job with auto wb if I'm moving around a lot and the card is not practical, but if the scene remains constant I would rather make a quick gray card measurement.

That pretty much exhausts my knowing ...

Allan Rahbek · 07-22-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

Richard,

I don't have any experience with using the white paper method. I would think that one trouble would be that there are all sorts of whites.

...

I have to admit that I don

Richard Budig · 07-22-2005, 12:56 PM

Mike, et al:

You have driven me back to my manual, which, I see upon closer inspection, gives me three options for white balance.

First is automatic. It does if for you.

Second is Preset White Balance, which allows me to select daylight, cloudy, tungsten, flourescent, and flash.

Third is Custom White Balance, where the piece of white paper comes in. And, I've had one of those "DUH" moments in thinking about this . . . I suppose they call it "white balance" since they instruct me to use a piece of white paper.

Basically, I select the Custom feature, hold the lens about six inches away from the white paper, which is illuminated by whatever light I intend to use, press a button to let the camera read the light coming from the paper, and after a moment or two, it automatically finishes up, and my white balance is set for that shoot.

As I said, I've been getting better color and general photo quality using this feature. Of course, I use it for inside shooting. Out of doors, I set it on automatic, and seem to get acceptable stuff.

But Mike's mention of the 18% gray card got me to thinking. I'd still like to hear from anyone who can add to this discussion.