Adjusting the White Balance

One interesting and very useful setting of digital cameras is the "white balance" (in the menu on the camera is usually denoted as WB). As we know the intensity of light sources is different in different parts of the spectrum. Bulb emits mostly in the red and infrared part of the spectrum, such is the composition of the spectrum and at sunset and sunrise, noon and ultraviolet radiation predominates. Films in analog cameras usually have a sensitivity sensitization to daily light and reproduce colors correctly in this type of light. When shooting with film on electric lighting, the photos will have a strong yellow-red hue. There are special films for electric lighting and if we want to get correct color reproduction under such conditions should buy such a special film.


The big advantage of digital photography is the ability to tune the camera depending on the type and color temperature of lighting. This setting is called "white balance" and usually in amateur class cameras has several preset values - sun, clouds, electric lighting for incandescent lamps, neon lighting, flash and automatic mode. Most often we use the automatic mode that does the job in 90% of cases. Sometimes, especially in electric lighting it's best to use the setting for this type of lighting as the automatic setting does not always work correctly in such conditions. More expensive cameras that have manual controls usually have a full manual white balance adjustment setting. This is necessary for more complex lighting and greater accuracy.

Here is an example of how a picture would look made in artificial lighting. At left is an automatic white balance, and in the right position "electric lighting" setting. Notice the white curtain behind the child. In the first picture it is yellowish-red, while in the second picture it is white -just what it should be. Thus comes the name "White Balance" - the white objects in the frame must be really white, to make sure that all the other colors in the picture are real. If your digicam has manual settings of the white balance, it is necessary to put before the lens a white sheet and press the button, to specify to the software that you want all colors to be set by the white color of the sheet.

This interesting feature can be used occasionally to create unusual color combinations and effects. For example, adjusting the white balance of electric lighting and shooting during the day, you will get photos with the bluish tint that creates a feeling of early morning. See examples of such a photo - on the left with white balance set for electric lighting and the right for a day. The photo was taken around 11 am before lunch, but thanks to the possibility of setting white balance, the left frame creates a feeling of early morning cold.

Maybe you ask yourself why we still see real colors at any time of day and any electric lighting? The reason for this is due to the fact that our brain processes information received from the eyes and its "white balance" is much more sophisticated than any digital camera software.