White Balance - Canon 'D Series' tutorial

If you want to ensure that your pictures come out as accurately as possible, you need a reference. There are many different ways to achieve an accurate white balance, most of them difficult and relatively expensive (though a worthwhile investment and learning tool).

To achieve a near 95-99% accurate white balance, all you need is an 18% neutral gray card which can be picked up at any local camera shop for an overpriced $10-12. Whats even better is the card also comes with a quick reference and tips on how to use it.

18% gray is the color assumed of all other colors, in short: if you mixed every color of the spectrum together, this is the hue you would achieve. Some people call it the 'color of art.'

To get started, simply hold the card to arms length and take a shot of it under the same conditions you plan to shoot. If you are inside and a lamp is turned on, plan to leave it on, etc. Do not adjust any elements after you have set your reference to your white balance.

To get started, make sure your camera is set to AWB. Hold your card at arms length (I shot with my 50mm @ F/1.4) and take a clear shot of it. Adjust your White Balance to custom:  go into your menu on the LCD screen, navigate to 'Custom White Balance' and hit 'Set.'  Select the shot you took similiar to mine and you are ready to go!

Try taking a test shot of something, then switching back to AWB (Auto White Balance) try and take the exact same shot.  Comparing the two you should get results like these:

Don't forget, as soon as you change your environment, you need to change your white balance.  For example, if you set your white balance to shoot indoors as the examples above, and then you move outside to shoot, you need to either switch to AWB or reset your CWB to the given lighting.  Always be aware of this or you could end up with some really off-putting colors!

While this tutorial is designed around the Canon 'D' series bodies, this can be done with any camera.  Do not be afraid to play around with the settings, just be wary and well read before dabbling in too many of the Custom Functions!