White balance ensures colors appear natural regardless of the color temperature of the light source. Our eyes automatically compensate for different lights - a piece of white paper looks white whether illuminated by warm candlelight or cool fluorescent - but cameras need guidance.
Color Temperature Explained
Light sources have color temperatures measured in Kelvin. Candlelight is warm, around 1800K, producing orange tones. Overcast sky runs cool, around 6500K-8000K, producing blue casts. Neutral daylight sits around 5500K. Understanding Kelvin helps you anticipate and correct color casts.
White Balance Presets
Camera white balance presets match common lighting situations: Daylight (5500K), Cloudy (6500K), Shade (7500K), Tungsten (3200K), Fluorescent (4000K), Flash (5500K). Each preset shifts color in the opposite direction of the light source, aiming for neutral reproduction.
Auto white balance attempts to guess the correct setting but often fails in mixed lighting or when warm/cool tones dominate the scene. Manual white balance using a gray card provides accurate, neutral color rendition.
Shooting RAW
RAW files preserve all color data, allowing white balance adjustment without quality loss during post-processing. You can set white balance in-camera or adjust it later in processing. For critical work, shoot RAW plus a JPEG for quick preview while retaining full processing flexibility.
Deliberate white balance shifts can enhance mood. Warmer tones feel nostalgic and comfortable; cooler tones feel clinical and distant. Knowing when to neutralize and when to shift color is part of developing your visual style.