White Balance

[GrayT]

Just curious as to what methods you guys use for white balance.

Do you use auto WB? Or, if your camera supports this, do you carry around your own method of "cards" to reference?

Personally I reference from a certain point around my environment for most of my shots. If I'm shooting night-time shots I will use a preset such as Cloudy and mess around with the parameters a bit to give me my desired results.

What about you?

[ColoradoSkier]

I use auto. Although when doing panoramas, I should lock it in.

[thenimirra]

I try to change the white balance based on the environment. I'm trying to move away from the program modes and work soley in manual. The most I will use is AP or AV priority.

[GrayT]

I use auto. Although when doing panoramas, I should lock it in.

I've yet to find that auto creates the image I wanted. It always butchers a nice field of grass, or a blue sky. It dulls down everything and makes it look like I'm looking through a sheet of plastic instead of glass. :thumbsdown:

At least someone has success with it, though!

I agree that manual is probably the best, but it sure does take awhile to find that "perfect" balance between color, contrast, and mood. :D

[thenimirra]

you are telling me! It takes a heck of a lot of time. the book I'm reading says you have about "six correct exposures" you can take of any one image based on changes made to settings.

[GrayT]

you are telling me! It takes a heck of a lot of time. the book I'm reading says you have about "six correct exposures" you can take of any one image based on changes made to settings.

Out of curiosity... what book is it?

[thenimirra]

"Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

[ColoradoSkier]

Understanding Exposure (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0817463003?tag=bullockfamily-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0817463003&adid=0R7A08P3QJGXNFWF7ZN5&\) - $15 at Amazon