|
 As
you learn to use your camera, you find new and exciting uses for
features that once were very simple, underused tools. This applies to
the white balance control on your camera. Chances are you started out
with the white balance set on auto. Auto works for many things, but may
not be fully useful to you until you understand just what white balance
does for your photographs. On some cameras there is a button/dial to
control the white balance (WB). On other cameras it may be in the menu.
Check your camera manual to locate your WB.
 Auto WB
(AWB) monitors the light, the surroundings, the aperture setting, and
other things to calculate the WB of each image. AWB is usually indicated
by a box with AWB in it. Other settings listed below are indicated by an
icon. Check your manual to see which icon is used for each of the
following.
Daylight is used when it is bright outside. The filter adds sunny
warm tones to your image. This keeps the image from looking overly
bright or whitewashed. This is very similar to AWB.
Cloudy adds amber warmth to your photograph giving it more depth. There
is almost a golden glow to the photograph. Some people use the cloudy
setting for indoor photos to give them a little more interest. It can be
useful in warming skin tones.
Shade gives warm, yellow/amber tones to a photo. It is used to
neutralize the cool blue tones of shade.
Tungsten creates cooler tones, enhances white, and brightens photos.
This works especially well when there is a yellow cast from the
environment as is often created by tungsten lights.
Fluorescent lends warm tones of magenta or reddish purple. The green
tone of fluorescent lights is balanced by this magenta cast. This can
add depth to red tones such as red flowers or a sunset.
Flash frequently gives a cool tone to the image. In order to balance
this use the built in flash with a white balance setting to bring in
some warm hues and produce a more balanced photo.
Custom WB may take a while to learn, but in difficult situations it is
really a useful skill. By taking a shot of something that is 18% neutral
you are able to set the white balance. Check your manual for details
related to your camera.
I have given you a few illustrations with these sunset photographs. In
each photo I gave you AWB as a comparative factor. Examine the changes
resulting from the various WB settings and decide how they will work for
you. Many photographic editing programs offer the option of adding these
filters in post-processing. Look in your program for the white balance
and the options that go with it. Trying different tones on your
photographs is fun and adds an entirely new dimension to them. Give it a
try and see how you like the results.
The Louisiana Photographic Society members would love to have you
visit the next meeting on March 18, 2010 at the Independence Park Garden
Center, 7500 Independence Blvd. The program begins at 7:00 P.M. Eric
Miller will present images to demonstrate his passion for humming bird
photography. For more information go to:
www.laphotosociety.com .
Photos by by E. Mangham |
