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How to set White Balance for Better Outdoor Images

Most cameras, especially on FULL AUTO MODE (typically a green square symbol), are set to Auto White Balance. As with other settings, taking control over AUTO white balance can dramatically improve your images.

hartong-boatwp

What is White Balance?

White Balance is a digital camera setting you can change to adjust the overall color of the image. White balance is based on light source – from standard household light bulbs to the sun outdoors.

For this post, let’s concentrate on outdoor light.

What color is Sunlight?

Daylight – light emitted from the sun – or lack thereof – is not just 1 color. It varies so much! Here are a few variables that change the “color” of daylight.

  • time of day: morning, high noon, evening, dusk
  • time of year: Spring, Summer, Winter
  • distance to equator/elevation: Midwest vs Southwest
  • direct sun or shade
  • and very importantly – weather – and so on.

More Color on Overcast Days

With rain and cloud cover comes gray skies. Great for soft even light – even nice for some portrait shoots, but not so great for colors. That’s where white balance comes in handy.
change camera mode to Program with top dial

change camera mode to Program with top dial

STEP 1: P for Program Mode

When in FULL AUTO (green box), your camera may not let you change settings like White Balance. Let’s switch to Program mode to have more control.
TIP! Make sure ISO is sets properly for your light level and action requirements. If  in doubt – set ISO to AUTO. That’s another topic…

STEP 2: WB Setting

Canon: look for the WB on the top of the “circle” of buttons on the back.

Nikon: (3100, 3200, 5200… & similar style) Press the (i) button 2 times on the back lower left. Then move to WB setting by pressing up or down on the control wheel on the right.
adjust white balance

Adjust white balance

Changing White Balance from AUTO (AWB) to CLOUDY typically makes colors look richer and a bit warmer.
white-balance-hartongStill not warm enough? Shift to SHADE to further reduce a blueish cast to your images. 
Sometimes I’ll even use CLOUDY or SHADE to “rush” evenings’ “Magic Hour”.
Magic hour is a term used by photographers to describe beautiful low glancing warm light that happens about 2 hours before sunset. It’s gorgeous to shoot in. I’ve had portrait subjects just walk toward the light with great results. To “fake” some of that warm glow, try changing your white balance.
CLOUDY – usually a bit warmer than auto – bring back some color on gray days.
SHADE – less blue, more orange. Try it for more color in sunset skies (with a stop underexposure). Looks like a small house with hash marks on the side.
 
Be sure to contact me if you have any questions.
And post a few images on my facebook page or flickr to let me know how it’s going! Want to know more? I’d be happy to help with a 1-1 lesson (in person or skype) or check out when the next group workshops are happening.
Great Blue Heron, Winton Lake during a 1-1 Photo Workshop: Shade | Cloudy | Sun white balance settings.
hartong-heron-wb
Helicopter flies through Evendale after my workshop that ended at 9pm. The sky was STUNNING! Shot on cloudy white balance and -1EV made it even better. iso 800, f 5.6, 1/1600, -1 EV, cloudy wb
iso 800, f 5.6, 1/1600, -1 EV, cloudy wb

iso 800, f 5.6, 1/1600, -1 EV, cloudy wb