Photography Thailand Forum

[Bob.S]

Hi,
Need info about white balance. I've tried taking portrait picture but I've never got the same portrait color, even after setting the WB to suit the atmosphere. I know a pro and he set his WB in Kelvin and adjust it according to the atmosphere. Is that the only way to adjust white balance to get the same portrait color ... 

[David Salmanowitz]

Hi Bob--If you are looking for consistent skin tones and accurate as to what you saw and photographed, I can recommend this--it will do the trick.

http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=1257

[Adzz]

Xrite system is very good.
Sometimes just a simple grey card can give you what you want.
I would say however that a perfectly WB'ed shot is not always what you want. Consistency yes, technically correct color, no not always.
Color should be sympathetic to the mood your trying to project.
You should know the rules for WB, but know that you can break them.

[Marc Schultz]

The problem also I think with perfect white balance is that often you are dealing in mixed light situations. So the white balance often needs to be set in the middle of the Kelvin temperature range of the lighting since the Kelvin temperature of the light you are using is mixed. Of course if you are shooting using one single light source like studio lighting or sunlight then it is very easy to set the white balance accurately.

[bkkdave]

ExpoImaging ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filter - Portrait

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=358082&is=REG

[Adzz]

Are any of you using any of these  "White Balance Filter"  like the one Dave posted the link to.
What are they like to use?

Im still happy with throwing a Qp card in the shot if I need it. They have a sticky back and when thats done , blue tak works just as good.
http://www.qpcard.se/BizPart.aspx?tabId=84&tci=137

[bkkdave]

Adzz, I bought the ExpoImaging ExpoDisc Digital White Balance 77mm Filter - Portrait two years ago. It works well and easy to use. You place the filter on the lens and point it toward the light source and take a picture to set the WB. It comes with a pouch and neck string to keep it out of the way but easy to access.

[David Salmanowitz]

I have used the Expo Disc and think the X-Rite product is better. Always worried about the plastic filter fading, perhaps needlessly. BTW, I use X-Rite's calibration device for calibrating my monitor--for assorted reasons think it is better than the competition.

[bkkdave]

"I have used the Expo Disc and think the X-Rite product is better. Always worried about the plastic filter fading, perhaps needlessly."

 Thankfully I am not a professional photographer that has to rely on the 'Best of the Best'; but I fail to see how a product that is used intermittently for a matter of seconds to expose for White Balance and then returned to a black pouch could be subject to 'fading'.

It is not as though one is walking around indefinitely with the Expo Disc filter attached to their lens.

And if using it in a studio environment then it should be a non-issue.

No argument on the best approach or system; as I really do not know.

[Paul Whitehead]

I have to admit I have never changed the white balance setting, to my recollection, on my cameras from "auto". Ever. Is it only something you regulary do for human portraits (?) or does it apply to other styles/types?

[Ray Evans]

I have to admit I have never changed the white balance setting, to my recollection, on my cameras from "auto". Ever. Is it only something you regulary do for human portraits (?) or does it apply to other styles/types?

I adjust habitually according to the conditions. It is actually the only in-camera effect that implants in the RAW image.