White Balance - 1 setting for all lighting condition?

[ast]

hi! is there a WB setting for all lighting condition?

so far, i've been using the CLOUDY WB for tungsten, flourescent, with or without flash and outdoor shots and i'm pleased with the outcome, i'm also using the White Wedding curve.

any other tips / settings you guys always used?


Cheers!

[AlistairF]

Hi ast,

There's no one magical WB setting. I've been blown away since I've started using manual WB and the quality of color that I've been rewarded with.

Although the AUTO setting will give you adequate results, manual white balance for every new lighting condition to get the best results.

I use a color-neutral grey card with the scene's light striking it, fill the frame with grey, and pre-set my WB every time my light changes.

Alistair

[sirhc55]

Hi Ast

I normally use auto WB unless I am shooting under my Bowens Trilites in the studio in which case I have used PRE to set up for those conditions.

If you are shooting in RAW you can make PP adjustments to the white balance but if shooting jpg it’s best done on the camera.

The only reason I do this is to minimise the camera settings so that I can concentrate on taking the photo.

Chris

[Kristine]

I only shoot in RAW and I usually use the Auto white balance if I am outside (depends on what I am shooting). If I am shooting inside (and have enough time), or if I am shooting any catalogue products (which I use a light tent for), I will manually set the white balance. I try to get the best picture possible straight out of the camera; any pictures that I take using Auto white balance are adjusted (if need be) in Nikon Capture or Adobe PhotoShop CS.

HTH

[Onyx]

Yep, I'm an advocate of slightly warming up the WB with Auto. I go -2, as I find -1 is very subtle - enough not to make a visible difference in many cases.

I've experimented with setting hue -3 degrees too, but reverted back to zero currently, as combined with the above, colour mode IIIa, and enhanced saturation it gets a little too much. I'm all for pop, and deep colour saturation, so for that it does me fine.

If you're wanting accurate colours, as AlistairF mentions - nothing beats manually presetting the white balance with a grey (or white) card.

[the foto fanatic]

I think the ability to be able to Preset WB is one of the great features of our camera.
Using a grey card gives outstanding WB results, so does ExpoDisc (see another current thread).
The only time I would consider using Auto would be when lighting is provided by flash only.

[ast]

before, i used to set my WB to AutoWB, sometimes AutoWB -1, but i'm not quite satisfied with the color and white balance, but ever since I'm using the CLOUDY WB, I never seem see the need to change WB, maybe its my personal taste but i'm happy with my photos now

Still so much to learn

[the foto fanatic]

Admin guru Gary has posted a tutorial on White Balance Technique in the Tutorial section of the forum:
http://forum.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=1773

[bwhinnen]

Admin guru Gary has posted a tutorial on White Balance Technique in the Tutorial section of the forum:
http://forum.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=1773

And what a good write up it is too ...