Color balance, also known as white balance, refers to the proper reproduction of colors in an image. In photography, proper color balance is important for several reasons:
- It ensures colors are rendered accurately.
- It sets the correct mood and atmosphere.
- It makes post-processing easier.
Getting the right color balance allows photographers to capture images that reflect the true nature of the scene. When the color balance is off, photos can look too cool, too warm, or have odd color casts. This affects how viewers perceive the image.
In this article, we’ll explore what camera color balance is, why it’s important, and how to achieve proper color balance in photography.
What is color balance in photography?
In simple terms, color balance refers to the reproduction of white. Since white contains equal amounts of red, green and blue, the camera must capture whites properly so other colors are accurate.
Here’s a more technical definition:
Color balance is the global adjustment of the intensities of the colors (typically red, green, and blue primary colors). The goal is to achieve neutral colors (white, grays, blacks) so other colors in the image appear as they would in real life.
Without proper color balance, images can have a color cast. This makes them feel psychologically “off” to the viewer. For example:
- An image with too much blue takes on a cold, gloomy mood.
- Too much orange gives a warm, stuffy atmosphere.
- Excess green can make outdoor scenes feel oversaturated.
When the color balance is neutral, the other colors in the scene look natural to our eyes. This allows the photograph to convey the true ambiance and feel of the moment.
How does color balance work in digital cameras?
In film photography, color balance was controlled by using different films and filters. With digital cameras, it’s handled automatically by the sensor. Here’s a quick explanation of how it works:
- The camera sensor captures raw red, green and blue data from the scene.
- The image processor adjusts the color channels to achieve a neutral balance.
- The adjusted RGB values are recorded in the final image.
By default, your camera is set to auto white balance (AWB). It samples the light in the scene and picks the color temperature that produces neutral whites.
However, AWB doesn’t always get it right. So most cameras also allow you to manually set a fixed white balance preset. Common presets are:
- Daylight – For sunny outdoor shooting
- Cloudy – For overcast skies
- Shade – For shooting in shadows
- Tungsten – For indoor yellow/orange light
- Fluorescent – For fluorescent lighting
Using the right preset for the lighting prevents unwanted color casts in your photos.
Why is proper color balance important in photography?
There are three main reasons why photographers pay attention to color balance:
1. It ensures colors are rendered accurately
Our eyes automatically adapt to different color temperatures. We barely notice the orange cast from incandescent lights or the blue tint of shade. But cameras don’t perceive color the same way.
That’s why improper white balance leads to color casts in photos. The colors are thrown off because the camera hasn’t compensated for the light.
By manually setting the correct white balance, you ensure colors are recorded neutrally. This makes them true to life and natural looking.
2. It sets the correct mood and atmosphere
Ever notice how photos shot at sunset feel warm and nostalgic? Or how cool, blue tones can make a scene feel tranquil and refreshing?
The color temperature greatly impacts the mood of a photograph. Warm tones feel comforting and inviting. Cool tones are calming and soothing.
That’s why photographers often tweak the white balance to create a certain atmosphere. For example, adding some extra warmth during golden hour. Or reducing yellows to make a winter scene feel icy cold.
Deliberately shifting the white balance can infuse color into your artistic vision. But first, you need a neutral baseline for creative effect.
3. It makes post-processing easier
No matter how careful you are, sometimes color balance needs tweaking after the shot. But it’s much easier to make adjustments when starting from a neutral white balance.
If your photo already has a strong color cast, fixing it in post is tricky. The color channels are thrown off, and any adjustments impact the entire image.
With a properly balanced original image, you can selectively adjust just the colors that need tweaking. The neutral starting point gives you more control and flexibility.
How to achieve proper color balance
To achieve proper color balance in camera:
Use auto white balance correctly
Auto white balance works well in many situations but has some limitations:
- It can struggle indoors with mixed lighting.
- Bright backgrounds can throw it off.
- It doesn’t account for atmosphere and mood.
To avoid issues, pay attention to the overall color and manually adjust as needed. Also shoot raw so you can rebalance later if required.
Set a fixed white balance preset
If shooting under consistent lighting, choose the matching white balance preset:
- Daylight – For direct sun
- Cloudy – For overcast/shaded outdoor scenes
- Tungsten – For indoor incandescent/halogen lighting
- Fluorescent – For fluorescent tubes and CFLs
- Flash – For built-in flash
This prevents unwanted color casts from throwing off your photos.
Use white balance modifiers
Many cameras feature white balance correction and bracketing:
- WB shift – Fine tune the color temp in amber/blue and green/magenta axes.
- WB bracketing – Camera shoots a sequence with different white balances.
These allow you to manually tweak the preset white balances.
Set a custom white balance
For ultimate color accuracy, create a custom white balance reading:
- Photograph a neutral white/gray card under the scene lighting.
- Select the custom WB option in your camera.
- Feed it the image of the white card to set a custom profile.
This will neutralize any color casts and calibrate the camera to the exact lighting conditions.
Check your camera LCD
Review shots on the rear LCD to check the color balance looks right. The LCD gives you an indication if there’s an unwanted color cast. You can then retake the photo with adjusted settings.
Shoot in RAW format
RAW files store unprocessed sensor data with all color information intact. This allows you to adjust the white balance in post-production without degrading quality. So even if the color is off, you can correct it later.
Tips for setting white balance in typical scenarios
Landscape photography
For sunrises, sunsets and golden hours, try:
- Daylight WB + warm white balance correction
- Cloudy WB + added magenta/amber
- Shade WB + added warmth
For midday outdoor shots, use Daylight or Auto WB. For overcast days, opt for Cloudy.
Portrait photography
Try these presets for natural skin tones:
- Daylight – Outdoors
- Shade – On an overcast day
- Cloudy – Under diffused light
Add slight warming (+amber) for vibrant, lively skin. For softer light try Tungsten with increased blue.
Event photography
Indoors under mixed lighting try:
- Auto WB with -1 amber/blue correction
- Custom WB reading from a neutral surface
For outdoor events during golden hour, use Daylight +1 amber/magenta.
Flash photography
With built-in flash, use the Flash WB preset. With studio strobes, opt for Custom WB off a gray card held in the strobe light.
You can also gel studio flashes with magenta or CTB filters to match ambient or Daylight WB.
Underwater photography
Start with Custom WB off a white card to remove blue cast. You can also try daylight WB with magenta/green correction.
Post-process with white balance filters to fine tune color to your creative vision.
Architecture photography
While shooting, enable WB Bracketing to capture a sequence of exposures. Then choose the frame with the cleanest whites in post.
You can also carry a custom white balance card and set a custom profile on location before shooting.
How to correct improper color balance in post
Despite best efforts, sometimes incorrect white balance sneaks into photos. Here are tips for correcting color in post-processing:
Adjust white balance sliders in raw converter
Raw processors like Lightroom allow you to freely adjust the white balance after the fact by shifting the amber/blue and green/magenta sliders.
Use white balance color picker in raw software
Click on a neutral white/gray point in the image to automatically remove any color cast. Make sure you sample a truly neutral tone.
Set proper white balance in Photoshop
Open the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw filter, then set the correct white balance before opening into Photoshop.
Use white balance adjustment layers in Photoshop
Add a new white balance adjustment layer and paint in areas that should be neutral gray. This removes the cast.
Apply selective color grading
For creative color effects, use HSL panels or adjustment layers to selectively adjust individual color channels.
Conclusion
White balance sets the foundation for color rendering. Proper color balance removes casts, produces natural hues, and allows for selective creative adjustments.
While modern cameras have auto white balance, it’s not foolproof. For the best results, consciously pay attention to color balance while shooting by:
- Choosing suitable presets for the lighting.
- Setting custom white balance from a white/gray reference.
- Checking the LCD and adjusting as needed.
- Shooting in raw to allow corrections later.
With practice, setting proper white balance will become second nature. Your images will showcase true vibrant colors and appealing moods.
The ability to start from a neutral color base enables endless creative options when post-processing. Proper white balance is one of the foundations for capturing stunning, professional images.
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