whites are gray - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4.0G IF-ED

10/08/2005 03:23:41 PM · #1

I'm shooting an object on a white background. When viewing my pictures on the computer I noticed the white looks gray. I adjusted my white balance using a couple of the preset balance options but the pictures are still gray or blue. Any suggestions?

I'm using natural light with one halogen lamp.

spydr

Nikon D850

10/08/2005 03:27:57 PM · #2

Set the EV compensatoin to +1

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

10/08/2005 03:32:23 PM · #3

Thank you spydr. May I ask how adjusting the EV corrects the problem? I looked at your portfolio and I noticed that your whites are spot on. Thank you.

BTW.....Love your portfolio.

longlivenyhc

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

10/08/2005 03:38:57 PM · #4

its because the camera assumes the white background is the middle grey needed to make the exposure. pushing the exposure compensation up 1 forces it to overexpose a bit making the middle grey its metering turn to white. this technique is used often when taking photos of snowy scenes.

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

10/08/2005 03:45:13 PM · #5

Thank you Evan. That's makes perfect sense. Off to shoot.

longlivenyhc

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

10/08/2005 03:46:27 PM · #6

you are welcome, have fun!

Philos

Canon EOS-30D

10/08/2005 03:51:21 PM · #7

Totly offtopic, but I read the title as Wifes are Gay ;)
Funny how your mind can play tricks on you ...

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/08/2005 03:53:40 PM · #8

Originally posted by Philos31:

Totly offtopic, but I read the title as Wifes are Gay ;)
Funny how your mind can play tricks on you ...

He he he, Peter! Thanks for that, now I'll smile every time I see this thread title!

Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.4 Jena/Flektogon MC

10/08/2005 04:03:13 PM · #9

LOLOL.....wishful thinking hey?

Uusilehto

Canon EOS-1D

10/08/2005 04:11:05 PM · #10

Originally posted by Philos31:

Totly offtopic, but I read the title as Wifes are Gay ;)
Funny how your mind can play tricks on you ...

Welcome to the club, man.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/08/2005 04:28:43 PM · #11

Originally posted by Philos31:

Totly offtopic, but I read the title as Wifes are Gay ;)
Funny how your mind can play tricks on you ...

Ditto...LOL

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/08/2005 05:10:00 PM · #12

My whites are white now but the subject is overexposed with blown out highlights. How do I correct this if I'm bumping up my EV +1 to get the background white?

David.C

10/09/2005 01:40:55 AM · #13

EV compensation changes the tone of grey the meter uses as it's standard. As stated, it normally exposes everything to middle grey, but when set to +1 it gives exposure settings to match a grey tone that is 1 stop brighter.

Your 'blowing out' the hightlights on your subject because the highlights are as bright or brighter than the background. To get the background completely white, it's darkest part must be brighter than the brightest part of the subject. Using a light directly on the background (or directly behind it shining thru) will brighten the background without making the subject any brighter.

David