White balance
One of the most common mistakes photographers make is to use the wrong color temperature or white balance. This results in an unsightly colored tinge to the photo; most often orange but sometimes blue or green.
Color temperature settings
On many digital cameras, the photographer can select the color balance/temperature setting. Some have presets, and some allow the user to dial in the appropriate degKelvin. The presets include but are not limited to the following:
- Auto White Balance (AWB)
- Bright Sunlight
- Cloudy
- Overcast
- Heavy Shadow
- Tungsten (incandescent electric lights)
- Fluorescent
- Flash
- Custom - required when the light is mixed sources
Prior to digital, the film was balanced for a particular color temperature. If you were shooting pictures elsewhere, filters were applied to the lenses to correct the color to match the film being used.
Most common mistakes
- Orange cast. This occurs when the camera is set for daylight but the scene is lit by tungsten lamps (electric lights).
- Green cast. This occurs when the camera is set for daylight but the scene is lit by fluorescent lights.
- Blue cast. This occurs when the camera is set for tungsten but the scene is lit by daylight.
Gels and filters for correction and special effects
The simplest way to correct color casting is to use the right settings on your camera. You can also use colored filters; if the filter is on a lamp or flash then it is called a gel. For example, use a blue filter on your camera with the white balance set for daylight, and tungsten lamps will appear as normal daylight.
You can also use this to create special effects. Say you want to take a daylight or overcast shot but illuminate your model with a fill flash. You can set the camera for tungsten to give the overall scene a blue cast. Put an orange filter on your flash and your model's face will appear with the correct white light set against a blue cast background.
