Calculating White Balance

[Michael Batten]

Good afternoon,

It's probably an obvious question but is there a way to calculate the correct white balance temperate before shooting so you don't have to do it in post?

Thanks

Michael.

 

[DG Phototraining]

You can use something like an Expodisc to set your camera to a custom setting, or just shoot a grey card if that's what you mean by 'calculating'

Dave

 

[Garry Edwards]

Yes, with a colour temperature meter. Very accurate and very quick.
Or you can set a custom white balance on your camera, different camera models do it slightly differently, so RTFM.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Most cameras have a custom white balance setting which you can used using a grey card, some have a means of setting a colour temperature though few people have a colour meter these days.
Each camera has it on way of making these settings in their hand book.

However it is still often necessary to tweak the result in pp to taste.

 

[Faldrax]

It may be a feature your camera has (buried deep in the menus somewhere!)

With my Sony A900 I can select 'Custom' as a White Balance option, then it goes thought a calibration sequence (spot meter on a known white surface), calculates the colour temperature (and tint) and allows you to save it as a pre-set for future use.

 

[Michael Batten]

Thanks everyone.