White balance is an essential feature in photography. It allows you to capture images with accurate and realistic colors. It adjusts the colors of the image according to the color temperature of the ambient light source. This eliminates unwanted color dominants.
What is white balance ?
White balance is the process by which the colors of an image are adjusted to appear neutral and balanced, depending on the color temperature of the ambient light source. Each light source has a different color temperature, ranging from hot (yellow/orange light) to cold (blue light).
Definition of color temperature
Color temperature is a concept used in photography, graphic design and other visual fields to describe the dominant hue of an image or light. It is measured in degrees Kelvin (K) and refers to the color of the light emitted by a source. Color temperature is often used to describe the difference between warm and cold tones.
Warm tones
Warm tones have a lower color temperature, usually between 2000K and 4000K, and have a reddish or orange hue. They are associated with a soft and warm light, like that of the setting sun.
Cold tones
Cold tones, on the other hand, have a higher color temperature, usually between 5000K and 8000K, and have a bluish hue. They are associated with a brighter and colder light, such as that of a sunny day.
Perception
Color temperature can also have an impact on color perception in an image. For example, a light with a higher color temperature can make colors more vivid and saturated, while a light with a lower color temperature can give a softer and less contrasted atmosphere.
It is important to take into account the color temperature when shooting or creating images. It can influence the atmosphere and emotion you want to convey. There are also tools and filters available to adjust the color temperature after the fact, in order to obtain the desired effect.
Color temperature is an essential concept for understanding and manipulating colors in the visual field. It makes it possible to describe the dominant hue of an image or light and can have a significant impact on the atmosphere and emotion perceived.
Why is white balance important ?
It is important because it makes it possible to reproduce the real colors of the photographed scene. If you adjust the white balance poorly, the colors of the image may seem distorted or altered. For example, a photo taken inside with artificial light may look yellowish if the white balance is not properly adjusted.
By adjusting the white balance, you can correct unwanted color dominants and obtain more accurate and realistic colors. This is especially important when photographing subjects. Like portraits, landscapes or objects. Colors are essential to convey the atmosphere or emotion of the scene.
The different white balance presets on a camera
White balance is an essential parameter of your camera that allows you to capture images with realistic colors. It makes it possible to correct color temperature variations caused by different light sources. Most cameras offer several scale presets to adapt to different lighting situations.
Automatic
This preset allows the camera to automatically detect the ambient color temperature and adjust the white balance accordingly. This is a good choice when you don’t have time to manually adjust the white balance.
Daylight
This preset is ideal for shooting in broad daylight in natural light. It corrects the bluish tones that may appear when you photograph in the shade or in cloudy weather.
Cloudy
This preset is recommended when photographing on a cloudy day. It warms the color tones to prevent them from seeming too cold.
Tungsten
This preset is designed for artificial lighting situations, such as incandescent bulbs. It corrects the orange tones that may appear in these conditions.
Fluorescent
This preset is suitable for environments illuminated by fluorescent tubes. It compensates for the green tones that may be present in these conditions.
It is also possible to manually adjust the balance. By using a registration card or by selecting a specific color temperature. This can be useful when you want to obtain precise results in special lighting conditions. To adjust the white balance, consult your camera’s manual for the specific procedure. In most cases, you can access the white balance options via the camera menu or by using a dedicated button.
Tips for a precise white balance
Here are some tips to get a precise white balance:
- Use the white balance preview function to check the results before taking the photo.
- If you photograph in RAW, you can adjust the balance during post-production.
- If you are not sure of the color temperature of the light source, use the automatic white balance setting. Or take several photos with different settings to choose the best result.
- If you are shooting in JPEG, it is better to adjust the white balance from the time of shooting to obtain more accurate colors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, white balance is an essential aspect of photography. It allows you to capture images with accurate and realistic colors. By understanding how to adjust this scale and using the right techniques, you can significantly improve the quality of your photos and make your subjects more attractive.
