RichardE Loc: California

If I shoot Raw or Raw+JPEG, do I need to calibrate the camera for WB? I have a WhiBal card and am asking if I need something else like an Expodisc or ColorChecker Passport.

Also related; even if the monitor is not calibrated (yes, I know they should be), will I get accurate printing results using WB tools? Even if they are not displayed correctly?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Color management is a system. If any part of the system is not managed, you will get unpredictable results.

The camera has an sRGB and an Adobe RGB (1998) profile setting. Unless you are using a very high end printing system, you will get more predictable results with sRGB. Note that in RAW mode, this is just a reference tag in the metadata (like many other camera parameters, it just controls the look of the reference image when you open the RAW image in a RAW image editor). But when recording images In JPEG mode, this profile setting becomes the actual ICC color space of the image!

RAW images do not really have profiles. They do have camera characteristics recorded in Apple's Mac OS X and in Adobe's ACR module (used by Photoshop and Lightroom).

A properly calibrated and then profiled monitor will have an ICC profile stored in the operating system. Your system has color management settings in it. So does your software. Spend time learning how to set these!

You will also need an output color space setting when saving images. You can default to something like sRGB, or (if you're converting from RAW, or used Adobe RGB at the camera) Adobe RGB, or a lab profile if your lab gave you one...

The system begins with custom white balance — IF you are using the JPEGs you capture. It can start there in RAW mode as well, if you don't adjust color temperature in post-processing.

Yes, you need a WhiBal, or ExpoDisc, or One Shot Digital Calibration Target, or a Delta 1 Gray Card, or similar tool as a reference for both exposure and white balance! If you are going to adjust color in RAW mode for accuracy, that's where you need the ColorChecker Passport.

But really, why would you not calibrate your monitor? You should not attempt to adjust color without a properly calibrated and profiled monitor, and should not print without using the proper profile for your particular printer, ink, and paper combination.

RichardE Loc: California

Thanks, Burkphoto. I am in agreement with you and am deciding on which monitor calibrator to get. I do know that color calibration is a complete system from camera to printer. So my printer and scanner also need calibration. I am considering a system that will calibrate all my hardware. I have an iMac 27" retina late 2013 and have used the Mac's color correction with the ProPhoto base as all work is done in LR & PS using ProPhoto color space.

There was a video showing how to use PS and the LAB color space to set the white, black, and middle points, but try as I might, I cannot find it again. (Still searching).

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I agree with Burkphoto.

As to setting white balance, I have used an expo disk for years now.

You can use an 18% grey card, or a white card and sometimes it turns out correct while other times it's not. On the other hand ever since I started using the expo disk I've gotten perfect and consistent results.

It comes in a case you can hang on a belt. I hand mine on my camera case so that it's always with me. They're not very expensive and I think are worth their weight in gold.

If you do buy one, get one for your largest filter diameter. It will then snap into that and for lenses with a lesser diameter you can always hold it when doing a white balance. You're only holding it for two or three seconds.

RichardE Loc: California

Thanks, Bugfan.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Nope, you don't NEED an Expodisc or other expensive gadget.
You could use a coffee filter instead. A lot cheaper, disposable, and works very well.
And no, I am not pulling your leg, I'm very serious. I have tried it and it works.
See: http://www.ppmag.com/web-exclusives/2008/11/product-comparison-white-balan-1.html
(Scroll down this page a way to see the results of the comparison).

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

I shoot raw only, no JPG, so I have always gone with the idea to leave WB on auto and not worry about it till Post Processing, where I can adjust it as much as I like.

Is it not correct that WB really does not matter in a raw file, but only if shooting JPG processed in the camera?

What good would adjusting the WB in camera do for a raw shooter?

RichardE Loc: California

:thumbup:

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I do it to give me a good place to start.
If you have no standard, how do you know what's correct?
That's what the ExpoDisc and other devices help with.
The ColorChecker Passport takes accurate color even further.
Of course accurate and pleasing may be two different things.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

If I need accurate, I always use a Color Checker for clients. If only for pleasing myself and getting in the ballpark, I use an expodisc or matched WB in camera.

If your monitor is not calibrated, you have no idea what colors your software is sending your printer (not a technical term) until you have a print. Having a proper white balance will probably help, but how do you PP your photo with any accuracy? Only you can decide if you can live with the results you get from that.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

I have been "assuming" what I had read awhile back was correct.... that WB does not effect the raw file conversion, but it does. The setting comes across and Lightroom adjusts the view accordingly.

I just shot some test shots changing the WB for each shot, and lo and behold on import they look different, each with the corresponding temp values for the WB settings.

Now, easy enough to change at any point during processing of course.

So far, I have been lucky since for the most part AUTO in my Nikon has gotten very close.

More stuff to learn... hope I have a few spare brain cells that are not doing anything ;)

jcboy3

As long as you don't look at the preview images in your camera; white balance setting are used to create an embedded JPG for in preview.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The camera records the settings and, depending on your software, uses them as a default setting when you open the raw files.
Based on other comments, I think other programs must not do this or they have that option turned off.
You can change the "recipe" as much as you want with raw.
With jpeg, you have a lot less info to work with but despite what others say, you can tweak the color quite a bit in ACR.
No, it's never going to look as good but sometimes you have no choice.
I do it a lot, fixing photos submitted to me. (if you listen close, you can hear me complain about phone cameras)

If you find a good deal on brain cells, let me know.
Mine are corrupted.

RichardE Loc: California

@Dngallagher: I too have the time to experiment, but find I need to keep notes on my iPad to reference quite often when shooting. Need to get out shooting more to get the info ingrained into my spare brain cells.

I like the color rendition of my monitor but think I will need to calibrate the printer for doing the 'family' and 'holiday' shots for people to take home.

Thanks for your input.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Yes, actually since Lightroom defaults to As SHOT in the Develop module, it will pull and use the setting from WB - don't know why I never noticed or thought about this before. Guess that cell just went out.... ;)