Too Blue - White Balance or Aperture

Vulcan · 27 Dec 2012 at 11:24

My picture:

f/6.3

Someone else's:

f/10

Is it incorrect white balance (I was using auto) or just the aperture causing my image to be overly blue?

An Exception · 27 Dec 2012 at 11:31

White balance. The camera will decide on different white balances depending on the colours in the frame. So changing the framing will affect WB. Also if the frame is underexposed the camera has a harder time determining the correct WB. Lastly although I don't think it applies in this case, the colour of the actual light can change very quickly, particularly when the sun is peeking out behind a cloud.

Aperture shouldn't affect temperature, but changing lenses will.

rpn · 27 Dec 2012 at 13:01

Wow, I'm learning everyday and I hope you are joking!

An Exception · 27 Dec 2012 at 13:03

Nope.. serious, different lenses/glass have different colour temperatures, even lenses of the same brand.

Phal · 27 Dec 2012 at 14:03

I guess the different coatings used on the lenses make a difference along with the different shapes of the glass etc!

An Exception · 27 Dec 2012 at 14:53

Perhaps it's partly to do with the coatings, but I would think it's more to do with the glass itself having different properties.

GAC · 27 Dec 2012 at 14:55

what camera's and lenses where they ?

Mint_Sauce · 27 Dec 2012 at 16:26

I'd say yours is a lot closer to a correct white balance than the other persons.

P_A_N_I_C · 27 Dec 2012 at 20:12

^ i'm with mint

Nexus · 27 Dec 2012 at 20:17

The other thing with White Balance is that it shouldn't be viewed as a hard and fast rule as to how a photo should be processed.

The main purpose of the correct white balance is to ensure the colours are faithfully represented. It's certainly the first port of call if the colour is obviously off in a photo.

That said, the correct white balance doesn't mean it is the right one. A photo may benefit from looking slightly cooler or warmer to evoke a certain feel, which possibly you won't get from the true to life correct white balance.

Phal · 27 Dec 2012 at 21:18

Yeah I often tweak the colour warmth a little to get things looking the way I want them to.

Vulcan · 29 Dec 2012 at 22:55

GAC said:
what camera's and lenses where they ?

Mine: Canon 1100D with 18-55mm IS (kit lens).

Other persons: Canon 50D with 18-200mm IS.

Looking at the image data, he was using "shade" for white balance.

Mint_Sauce said:
I'd say yours is a lot closer to a correct white balance than the other persons.

P_A_N_I_C said:
^ i'm with mint

Thanks, but I used auto so I don't think I can take credit.