White Balance

[kirbym2]

WB seems to be a real challenge for me. I've tried Auto, Pre, and every setting in between. When shooting RAW, what is a general best practice? Is it wise to stick to Auto and correct after the fact? Thanks!

 

[joealcantar]

From your data on your page looks like you are using a Nikon D7000 , what are you using to set the white balance? are you finding the steps difficult?
-
Shoot well, Joe

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Curious - what cam you using?

 

[tirediron]

I find that Nikons generally do very well with WB in Auto. Unless I'm doing a shooting in a constant light type setting such as a studio, I always leave it in Auto and correct in post.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I find that Nikons generally do very well with WB in Auto. Unless I'm doing a shooting in a constant light type setting such as a studio, I always leave it in Auto and correct in post.

+1 thats why I asked what cam, my D7000 does well in auto and its very rarely I have to tweak WB in post.

 

[IgsEMT]

For in-studio, regardless of raw or jpg, I preset WB w/ gray card or shower/lally cap
For events, 99% of the time, I'll leave it in sunlight and let the lab do necessary adjustments during prints. Steve Sint told me he uses Kelvin 5600 when shoots weddings.

When i'm shooting my kids running around I'll do in AWB b/c #1 chances of me printing these are minimal and #2 when shooting video w/ d90 or d300s, awb does an overall better job.
D70s and D50, D100 - I felt didn't do great job with AWB, it lacked consistency. D200 was in the similar boat but with a bit more consistency. And since old habits die hard, I use WB the way I mentioned above.

 

[kirbym2]

I'm currently using the D7000. When I use the Auto Setting, the photos all seem to come off cool. Perhaps the balance is correct, but I feel in general my images lack warmth. The colours lack any "pop", and fall flat. Maybe this isn't a WB issue?

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I'm currently using the D7000. When I use the Auto Setting, the photos all seem to come off cool. Perhaps the balance is correct, but I feel in general my images lack warmth. The colours lack any "pop", and fall flat. Maybe this isn't a WB issue?

Is your monitor calibrated?

 

[IgsEMT]

I'm currently using the D7000. When I use the Auto Setting, the photos all seem to come off cool. Perhaps the balance is correct, but I feel in general my images lack warmth. The colours lack any "pop", and fall flat. Maybe this isn't a WB issue?

Is your monitor calibrated?

#1 Monitor,
#2, did you try to print them, NOT in corner drug store but in reputable consumer lab?

 

[katerolla]

If shooting in raw stick with 5500k and adjust it in camera raw if needed

 

[kirbym2]

I've been hearing a lot about monitor calibration... I'm going to look into that. I believe the daylight setting is 5500K, so I could set for that, and make adjustments after. I'll admit, most of my prints are done at places comparable to a "corner drug store" lol. Any suggestions for quality prints in the Vancouver area - ordered online or otherwise?

 

[Vtec44]

Auto balance on my D7000 is a bit on the cool side for me. I typically shoot in RAW so I just adjust it in post process.

 

[IgsEMT]

MPIX is one of the more popular consumer places, not sure how far they go though
There was a thread few days ago about labs, see if you can find it.

Good Luck

 

[480sparky68 67]

If shooting in raw stick with 5500k and adjust it in camera raw if needed

This makes no sense.


I use an ExpoDisc if at all possible, and it works well for me. If I can't take the time to manually set WB, the D7000 does a great job of getting close...... I'll just shoot a gray card and adjust the raws in post.