How do you use it? I know what this is and what it's for but could I get some guidance on how to properly use a white balance card?

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

I know what this is and what it's for but could I get some guidance on how to properly use a white balance card?

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

I don't use a white balance card myself, but from what I understand, here's the trick:

You take a shot of your scene with the white balance card in it. Then you take a shot without it. Then, in post-processing, you open the shot with the card, point to the white part of the card, and tell your PP software, "THIS IS WHITE!" Then you open the un-carded shot, and apply that white balance setting.

Or something like that.

Basically the idea is you are telling your post processing software exactly what the color "WHITE" is, and then it can adjust itself from there.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

You can also do this in camera. If you look in your manual under WB it should tell you how. You take the card and shoot either white or gray and set the camera to that. I don't do it to often, but some times the colors look off, so I carry a gray card to adjust.
Erv

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

JimH wrote:

I don't use a white balance card myself, but from ... (show quote)

I'll play around with it and see what comes of it.

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

Erv wrote:

You can also do this in camera. If you look in your manual under WB it should tell you how. You take the card and shoot either white or gray and set the camera to that. I don't do it to often, but some times the colors look off, so I carry a gray card to adjust.
Erv

Thanks I guess this is an option for white balancing in camera also.

Uriah

Save your self time and frustration, put this back in Scott's book and buy a Expodisc to fit largest lens body you have. It can be held over smaller lenses. Learn custom white balance setting for your camera and follow the same process each time. Results will be consistent, and if adjustment in post process are needed they can be applied across multiple images of the same light source.

M2C

MtnMan Loc: ID

While getting the white balance close can be helpful because it adjusts the jpeg images, including the one you see on the LCD, it isn't essential if you have a camea that can shoot in RAW. If you shoot in RAW you can adjust the white balance later with your processing software...assuming you have software that will do it, of course. Most cameras that shoot RAW come with software to let you do that.

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

MtnMan wrote:

While getting the white balance close can be helpful because it adjusts the jpeg images, including the one you see on the LCD, it isn't essential if you have a camea that can shoot in RAW. If you shoot in RAW you can adjust the white balance later with your processing software...assuming you have software that will do it, of course. Most cameras that shoot RAW come with software to let you do that.

I shoot almost exclusively in RAW. Didn't realize that white balancing didn't matter with it.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I use the custom wh balance some when there is snow and sunny. Go to your manual and it will tell you how to set it for your camera. I can control the blue cast on a sunny day if I do not shoot in raw. If you use Photo Shop you can do it the way BillyBuz said. I prefer custom white balance setting better, or just shoot in raw.

tkhphotography Loc: Gresham, Or, not Seattle

Billybuzz wrote:

I know what this is and what it's for but could I get some guidance on how to properly use a white balance card?

Scott Kelby provides one of these, or at least he used to.. The lower left one he titles 'camera raw white balance', for use when you want to color balance any raw images...

The best way to use it seems, is when shooting studio or portrait shots (or any other 'multiple same subject, same setting shots') and include the card in one of the pictures then use the eye dropper tool to click on the card and balance the image.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Yes, he includes one in his new Elements 10 book.

tkhphotography wrote:

quote=Billybuzz I know what this is and what it's... (show quote)

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

tkhphotography wrote:

quote=Billybuzz I know what this is and what it's... (show quote)

I tried taking the card and photographing it and dragging it into images then adjusting the balance. It seems to work that way also.