Handy way to get better white balance

ricky1981

ricky1981

ricky1981

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As with most cameras, the auto white balance on my D700 and D300 struggles indoors and in situations with strange lighting. I toyed with getting an expodisc or light meter but they are pretty expensive. After reading a few forum articles I tried using the lens caps from my Lee filter system as some people had reported good results using the old lids from pringle tins.

Sample results below, first is using auto white balance and the second is using the custom white balance which I took by putting the lens cap over the lens and shooting from near the coke can back to where I would be taking the photo from (hopefully that makes a bit of sense).

It's not perfect but it certainly improves things and whilst I often shoot RAW so you can fix WB manually I always prefer to have it nearly right to begin with. Added bonus is they are only a few quid for 3 so you can chuck one in a bag or pocket and not worry if you lose it (being flexible plastic they are also indestructible).

Apologies for the dull photo but I figure most people will know what colour a coke can is meant to be and the writing pad in the background is obviously white ;)


cokeawbbh8.jpg


cokemanrf0.jpg
 
I find when correcting for WB its really easy to overshoot, i think this one is a little too cool.

If im doing shooting indoors i do correct it to be a little cooler so that everybody isnt orange and red, but not so much that the white balace is "correct" - i prefer to keep some ambience
 
EternityEight said:
I find when correcting for WB its really easy to overshoot, i think this one is a little too cool.

If im doing shooting indoors i do correct it to be a little cooler so that everybody isnt orange and red, but not so much that the white balace is "correct" - i prefer to keep some ambience
Click to expand...

Apologies, this isn't entirely on-topic. In fact, I don't even know what this technique you're talking about entails! But, I think this is an important point that's been made.

Often, indoors the whites aren't actually white...like in your picture, I doubt that in reality the whites were quite as white as they are in the corrected shot.
 
On my calibrated monitor the 2nd photo is much closer to how everything actually looks. I agree it's quite cool but I think that's due to most people being used to warm shots, you can always dial in additional warmth on the camera (or add it with photoshop) but I think its better having correct colours and then adjusting them rather than having wrong ones and trying to correct them first then tweaking them.

Obviously that's only my opinion and I wouldn't use this every time but thought it might help some people who have struggle with the same problem :)
 
2nd picture looks much better for WB, one thing Ive noticed with photographs indoors is the orange-ness to them due to the lighting. That sums up my vast knowledge so far in the world of photography! :D
Do tell about the technique though if it works quicker than changing WB each time
 
You can do this by using the white balance set function on your camera (check the manual as how to do that varies a LOT), put the lens cap over the lens so it covers the whole area in the viewfinder and set the white balance by pointing at the place you will be taking photos from (with the lens cap still on) and pressing the shutter release. In a typical room the light is pretty constant as you get reflections from the walls so you only have to change it if you are in different light.

That's it :)

As I said, it's not always perfect and not always needed but I find it gives better results than using grey/white cards.

Just checked the Lee filter site and they actually mention this use, this also shows what they look like.

http://www.leefilters.com/camera/products/show/ref:C47BE9A989C894/

Some people have had success using tracing paper or coffee filters so perhaps try that as it won't cost anything.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/diyphotographynet/discuss/72157603931692288/
 
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Paulus said:
you neglected to mention that it is a White, lens cap..
Click to expand...

Ummmm, I specifically referred to the lens cap being from my Lee Filter system, they are always white. Not sure what your point is? :confused:

Obviously you wouldn't do this with the normal lens cap on as you wouldn't have any light at all :o
 
ricky1981 said:
Ummmm, I specifically referred to the lens cap being from my Lee Filter system, they are always white. Not sure what your point is? :confused:

Obviously you wouldn't do this with the normal lens cap on as you wouldn't have any light at all :o
Click to expand...

that is where i was going wrong... i was imagining a normal lens cap and no light :(

my bad.. got you now
 
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