White Balance
Oct 20, 2011 07:19:32 #
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm new here and don't want to read all the posts to find the answer. I finally understand how to set my camera for a CUSTOM WHITE balance and my question is: do you have to get a good exposure on a subject before you take a picture of the white/grey card, and which is better, white or grey? Hope I'm not confusing!
Oct 20, 2011 08:26:09 #
Oct 20, 2011 08:29:18 #
sdoyon wrote:
do you have to get a good exposure on a subject before you take a picture of the white/grey card, and which is better, white or grey?
While I've never used a white/grey card to get my white balance correct, your composition must be properly exposed. I suspect the choice of white or grey is up to you. Personally, if I ever did this, I would use grey.
If I were taking a shot that had to be perfect, I'd probably consider setting the white balance in this fashion, but keeping in mind that white balance is specific to each photo could mean that you'd have to take 2 photos of each composition (one with the grey card, one without). This is the reason I've never experimented with this.
I'm not saying it's a waste of time!!! If the shot is very important, this may well be the very thing that needs to be done.
I typically set my white balance to AUTO and adjust in post processing, if needed. My D90 seems to do a rather good job of determining the white balance.
Hope this helps, but if I've missed, say so!
Oct 20, 2011 09:25:48 #
Some people say that if you use a white card to set white color balance, then your exposure would be off.
The color would be balanced, but since the camera expected to see gray instead of white, it would underexpose all subsequent shots.
I don't believe that's true. So I typically use a regular sheet of white office paper, and it seems to work fine.
The color would be balanced, but since the camera expected to see gray instead of white, it would underexpose all subsequent shots.
I don't believe that's true. So I typically use a regular sheet of white office paper, and it seems to work fine.
Oct 20, 2011 09:42:19 #
I use a grey card
I take a picture of the grey card and then shoot the shots in the same light
Then edit them I use the grey card photo to apply the white balance to all photos in that series
If you change the light during that shoot you shoot the grey card sometime during that series and apply that shot to that series
especially helpful if you are shooting a lot of shots in the same light
Really not hard to apply white balance to all the shots
I use photoshop CS5
I take a picture of the grey card and then shoot the shots in the same light
Then edit them I use the grey card photo to apply the white balance to all photos in that series
If you change the light during that shoot you shoot the grey card sometime during that series and apply that shot to that series
especially helpful if you are shooting a lot of shots in the same light
Really not hard to apply white balance to all the shots
I use photoshop CS5
Oct 20, 2011 09:43:25 #
I think if you adjust white balance in post processing, the best thing to do is to photograph a white card in the scene (or at least make sure something there is a good white, not dingy white).
However, for my indoor sporting events, I take a reference shot to create a custom white balance.
I have an Expo card (I think Expo disc is a newer product) and I shoot through it into one of the light sources. This gives me my reference that I make the custom white balance. Then with my camera using that as white balance, the color management is much better than if the camera is trying to figure it out in Auto. I've tried it with auto and had to readjust almost every image (sometimes over 200 at a time) in post processing. With a good white balance, I rarely have to make that adjustment.
However, for my indoor sporting events, I take a reference shot to create a custom white balance.
I have an Expo card (I think Expo disc is a newer product) and I shoot through it into one of the light sources. This gives me my reference that I make the custom white balance. Then with my camera using that as white balance, the color management is much better than if the camera is trying to figure it out in Auto. I've tried it with auto and had to readjust almost every image (sometimes over 200 at a time) in post processing. With a good white balance, I rarely have to make that adjustment.
Oct 20, 2011 10:22:36 #
Use a grey card to set white balance. I do mine settings a little different as I put the grey card in the first picture with my subject take my picture then remove the card and proceed with my shot. When I open my photos in LR I use the dropper and select the grey card, this sets my white balance. I then sync the rest of the photos from that session to match the w/b setting from the first.
Quick and easy.
Quick and easy.
Oct 20, 2011 11:41:39 #
The gray card was used in the film days, as a way to determine exposure in difficult lighting.
Today its used along with the white card, for setting white balance. Its more or less a matter of preference, I use grey in really bright lighting and white in dimmer light.
You do not have to have the card in focus or worry about exposure, just make sure the LCD is completely filled by the card. Then do whatever your camera manual directs you to do, to set the custom white balance from the card.
Today its used along with the white card, for setting white balance. Its more or less a matter of preference, I use grey in really bright lighting and white in dimmer light.
You do not have to have the card in focus or worry about exposure, just make sure the LCD is completely filled by the card. Then do whatever your camera manual directs you to do, to set the custom white balance from the card.
Oct 20, 2011 11:47:56 #
Remeberthat the 18% Grey Card's original purpose was toset the balance between Black and White in B+W film photography. It still works but setting exposure on True White makes more sense when you understand that its a sensor/computer registering your exposure.
Oct 21, 2011 07:15:15 #
The manual for the Nikon D40 (and I suspect other models) says to use either a white or grey card for setting white balance.
The percentage reference in the 18% grey card is an indication of reflectance (not tint) and was used to set the exposure. Since it was a neutral grey, they can be used for setting while balance in digital.
The percentage reference in the 18% grey card is an indication of reflectance (not tint) and was used to set the exposure. Since it was a neutral grey, they can be used for setting while balance in digital.
Oct 21, 2011 09:19:16 #
bennetphoto
Loc: Knoxville, TN
I have used both the expodisk and grey card with my Nikon D-700, and get the same great results, both better than Auto. I take a lot of sports action and always have the expodisk with me, as it is very quick, and easy to use.
Oct 21, 2011 09:25:25 #
sdoyon wrote:
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm new here and don't want to read all the posts to find the answer. I finally understand how to set my camera for a CUSTOM WHITE balance and my question is: do you have to get a good exposure on a subject before you take a picture of the white/grey card, and which is better, white or grey? Hope I'm not confusing!
You can use both, but I prefer the grey card.
Oct 21, 2011 09:31:28 #
Hi,
I just finished a class and learned how and why to use the grey card with manual. You really want the grey card or something close...not white...because of what you are trying to do. You should learn to look at the histogram when you use it and try several things. Our teacher is able to look at stuff that will do. For example he says grass is usually fine. Or he can pick out a rock or wall that is about right.
I have been experimenting with using the different white balance settings on my new D5100. First, I was surprised at what a difference it makes. Second I have been impressed as to how in all cases setting the camera on auto white balance did better than I could. You should try that. I suspect in most cases it will do better. Special circumstances; e.g. weddings, might demand the old methods.
Also I have learned that if you take pictures in RAW it doesn't matter because you can set the white balance in post processing. Indeed the software that comes with the D5100 (Nikon View) only lets you set it in that software if you used RAW.
Regards,
Larry Leach
I just finished a class and learned how and why to use the grey card with manual. You really want the grey card or something close...not white...because of what you are trying to do. You should learn to look at the histogram when you use it and try several things. Our teacher is able to look at stuff that will do. For example he says grass is usually fine. Or he can pick out a rock or wall that is about right.
I have been experimenting with using the different white balance settings on my new D5100. First, I was surprised at what a difference it makes. Second I have been impressed as to how in all cases setting the camera on auto white balance did better than I could. You should try that. I suspect in most cases it will do better. Special circumstances; e.g. weddings, might demand the old methods.
Also I have learned that if you take pictures in RAW it doesn't matter because you can set the white balance in post processing. Indeed the software that comes with the D5100 (Nikon View) only lets you set it in that software if you used RAW.
Regards,
Larry Leach
Oct 21, 2011 09:33:39 #
sdoyon wrote:
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm new here and don't want to read all the posts to find the answer. I finally understand how to set my camera for a CUSTOM WHITE balance and my question is: do you have to get a good exposure on a subject before you take a picture of the white/grey card, and which is better, white or grey? Hope I'm not confusing!
sdoyon, you might want to look at the following information. There is another option: Uni-White Balance
http://www.guillermoluijk.com/tutorial/uniwb/index_en.htm
Oct 21, 2011 09:44:08 #
With time, skill in setting white balance will improve.
I assure you that in almost every case, me setting a custom white balance has been better than using Auto.
I assure you that in almost every case, me setting a custom white balance has been better than using Auto.
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