I'm just curious as to why it's better to set the white balance when shooting, versus auto?
It just seems to be more convenient to shoot auto w/b then adjust it in post processing later.
Thanks.
Hi Jacob,
Here's my point of view.
A custom calibration will always be far superior since you make a perfect standard by which the camera can deal with all the colors it sees.
WhiBal works very well, but you need to fill the camera frame so get a bigger one so that it will work for your particular lens and then you are set.
Auto will be reasonable or even very good.
Color temp will not work with different light sources at the same "temp" since one also needs distribution of component wavelengths to match too.
WhiBal works very well, but you need to fill the camera frame so get a bigger one so that it will work for your particular lens and then you are set.
Canon is said to works perfectly with white foam core too bu I haven't tested it!
Whatever you set does not limit your ability to adjust RAW images. Use a source for a material known to be neutral. Use the balance dropper tool. Here a tiny target is sufficient in may cases, umless light is uneven with multiple light sources!
Target for white balance: In order of my eclectic preference
1.
WhiBal Card
The WhiBal G6 is now available in 3 sizes:
Pocket (2x3.5in)
Studio (3.5x6in)
Reference (8.5x11in)
JPEG shooter can use the new Free WhiBal White Balance Plug-in to correct both White Balance and Exposure on their JPEG captures. Works with all WhiBals that feature TrueBlack™ technology.
Click
here for the free download avaialble for either Win or Mac.
***
2. Other neutral grey card
3. Concrete wall or side walk
4. White paper good without fluorescent chemical brightener
5. White sheet, tablecloth, shirt or blouse
6. White or gray wall
7. White sclera of eyes
8. White teeth
9. Black objects, better cotton or wool (beware synthetics that have high IR reflectivity!)
Ideally, take your picture and get the color right then! Our job is to take pictures
not work at the computer, unless we want to do composites, remove blemishes or add special artistic effects.
Asher
*** If you have a very poor exposure as well you may have to add a "curves" layer and use a low percentage of "multipy" blending to bring back the intensity of the jpg image. A final adjustment of the saturation in "Hue Saturation" layer might be useful.