Custom WB

[nun69]

ok so explain this to me a little better...I want to make sure I am doing it right...

inside I take a picture {of where I am going ot be shooting}
then go to my custome functions and select custom white balance
then select that image to use as my WB...

is that the way I am suppose to be doing it? or am I doing something wrong?

[MamaBee]

I just took a photography class and I'm finding out that talking about photography is like religion and I'm afraid to say anything... anyhoo... my teacher said that to get the best white balance, suppose to neutralize with a 18% gray card... not to trust the settings the digi camera says... *disclaimer - my teacher is a bit anti-digi cameras and how it has "wrecked" the art of photography... :D, so I got a crash course in doing everything "old school"...

[sprauncey1]

Yes a gray card is the "ideal" but you can use a white wall or something neutral (shade of gray with no color cast). You fill your viewfinder with the color and then in your white balance setting set it to custom. Then take a photo of the color/not color and this tells your camera what neutral is for that scene.

I use a white balance lens cap to do mine. That way I always have it with me.

The 18% gray card is actually more for setting exposure for a scene versus white balance but it can be used for both. You just have to have it out there with you shooting.

[heathergw]

I used to have a ExpoDisc (bought the largest one for my largest lens and used it for all my lenses) but then I started shooting RAW and just correcting in PS... so I sold it... but yeah, you would want to fill your frame with something gray or white and then that's what you would do... but remember each setting is different so you'll need to change it every time you change scenery :)

[nikkiARNGwife]

I have a white balance lens cap to do mine too. love it.

[Stacey42]

Another with a white balance lens cap! It is great & so easy, you never have to worry about finding something to use. They are cheap too.
This is the 52mm one but they come in assorted sizes

http://www.amazon.com/General-Brand-Balance-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001BO4INY/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1318771674&sr=1-6

[ayaandjudah]

I have a cannon Xs, would I have the ability to use the white balance lens cap?

[sprauncey1]

I have a cannon Xs, would I have the ability to use the white balance lens cap?

Yes. On page 90 of your manual (or download a copy) it tells you how to do it with your camera. Just leave the lens cap on when you set the white balance and there ya go!

[sprauncey1]

I used to have a ExpoDisc (bought the largest one for my largest lens and used it for all my lenses) but then I started shooting RAW and just correcting in PS... so I sold it... but yeah, you would want to fill your frame with something gray or white and then that's what you would do... but remember each setting is different so you'll need to change it every time you change scenery :)

True, and this is something I sometimes forget when I get in a hurry (it only takes like 10 seconds to reset so I shouldn't). But my main problem with setting WB in PP (post processing) is that most of the time I do not have a neutral in my scene to set it off of, and I don't trust my eyes to make it look right. Some people can just "see" when it is right, and I'm still not there. I'm getting better though.

[nun69]

ok...so please explain this WB lens cap a little more to me.....I think I might need one LOL

[heathergw]

you take a picture with the lens cap on and then use that picture for your custom WB pic in your camera... instead of having to find a white wall or using a gray card

[nun69]

you take a picture with the lens cap on and then use that picture for your custom WB pic in your camera... instead of having to find a white wall or using a gray card

it's that simple?

[nikkiARNGwife]

it's that simple?

yep