White balance and exposure - DPChallenge Forums

04/19/2011 10:49:32 PM · #1

Hi guys i was wondering what should i do first .. i use an 18% gray card to set up my exposure and a white card for a custom white balance. All this is done in my studio.
What should i set first exposure or white balance ?

thx

giantmike

Canon EOS R6

04/19/2011 10:54:16 PM · #2

Someone may come in to prove me wrong, but I believe if you are shooting RAW, then white balance doesn't matter one iota. RAW files can have their white balance changed at will. And thus, exposure is much more important to get correct.

Now, color balance if using multiple light sources...now that's something to really be concerned about.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/19/2011 10:58:36 PM · #3

ok color balance it is then.. here is the plan :) awsome girl nude white background red hair, red lips and red glove Perls necklace and 1920 pearls headress. so red and skin and white :) how should i proceed ?

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

04/19/2011 11:03:20 PM · #4

I haven't used a grey card since I started shooting digital. The only time I assign a color balance is if there are wildly different colored light sources in that room (Must all wedding receptions have halogen and incandescent light sources mixed?)and I need the camera to know which is the space I care about.

In the studio, I shoot RAW on AWB, on aperture priority, and then adjust with EC or use that information to go to manual.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/19/2011 11:09:43 PM · #5

Originally posted by StickInMind:

Zoom in on her skin tone, maybe go under a touch if she has the glowing whiteness that usually comes with red hair, and lock that exposure in on manual. Blast the background with enough light to make it go away. Manual exposure keeps you from having to recompose if you have her to the side of your frame. check the blinkies to make sure you are not blowing out her highlights.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/19/2011 11:11:04 PM · #6

i will use 2 hot light 5600k with white umbrella and i will shoot raw. So no need to bother then ?

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

04/19/2011 11:12:46 PM · #7

Your camera may have a specific way to do a custom WB reference shot at the time of the shoot, if you want the straight from camera jpegs to be as close as possible. But, if you plan to correct the white balance in post processing, then getting a shot of a gray card in the actual lighting you are using at the time is very helpful. I have a target reflector with Black/Gray/White stripes on that is useful for both exposure checking (you can mostly fill the frame with it, shoot, check the histogram spikes), and as an "eyedropper" point for post processing WB correction. I don't use it much to set up the exposure lighting any more, as a light meter works better for me. But sometimes it is helpful check.

Note that if you change up the lighting during the shoot, particularly if you change modifiers (reflector vs soft box vs reflective umbrella vs shoot thru umbrella) you need to snag another gray card shot in that lighting. Changing lenses is less of a risk, though it can matter a little bit. Changing cameras does matter, so if you use two bodies, get a gray card shot with each one.

You can "eyeball it" after the fact with varying degrees of success. If you plan to have moody, colored lighting and color accuracy is not critical, you can easily skip the grey card shot. But I like to always get them if I can, so I can start from accurate color/skin tone, etc.

You do want to get a reference gray card shot for WB purposes at the light settings you intend to use for the shot. For examples, Alien Bee lights get dramatically warmer as you lower the power setting. So I'd say get your lights/exposure where you want it to be, take a reference shot. If you slap on a different modifier, or adjust your lighting in any significant way, take another shot of the gray card.

Message edited by author 2011-04-19 23:15:11.

04/19/2011 11:15:26 PM · #8

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

Great i will try this thx i am just wondering what i am gonna use to light the backdrop.. could i use my 480ex speedlight with wireless trigger behind the subjet directed at the background ? I do have 2 weak strobe 160watt

04/19/2011 11:20:50 PM · #9

That is some good informations too Chromeydome thx I do have a perfect-pixs photo suite kit with grayscale and color card i could use as reference to ajust the raw image after.

04/20/2011 09:20:27 PM · #10

thx for all the help i am shooting friday afternoon wish me luck :)

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/22/2011 10:10:28 PM · #11

Thx for the help
I am happy of that result
here to see some picture of that photoshoot

Dane Halo Collection

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

04/22/2011 11:28:29 PM · #12

Originally posted by StickInMind:

Thx for the help
I am happy of that result
here to see some picture of that photoshoot

Dane Halo Collection

Looks like you got the skin tones just right! (except for that one where she looks kind of ashen gray :-)

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/22/2011 11:43:28 PM · #13

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Originally posted by StickInMind:
Thx for the help
I am happy of that result
here to see some picture of that photoshoot

Dane Halo Collection

Looks like you got the skin tones just right! (except for that one where she looks kind of ashen gray :-)

Wich one danehalo6 ?

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

04/23/2011 12:07:05 AM · #14

Originally posted by StickInMind:

Originally posted by chromeydome:

Originally posted by StickInMind:
Thx for the help
I am happy of that result
here to see some picture of that photoshoot

Dane Halo Collection

Looks like you got the skin tones just right! (except for that one where she looks kind of ashen gray :-)

Wich one danehalo6 ?

Nah, I was just joking about the black and white one :-)