What is white balance?

White balance is a term used in photography that refers to the process of adjusting the colors in a photograph to accurately represent the colors of the scene as they were in real life.

The human eye automatically adjusts to different lighting conditions, such as the color of the light coming from the sun or a light bulb. However, cameras do not have this same ability and can often produce images that have a color cast, meaning that the colors are not accurate and appear either too warm or too cool.

White balance is used to correct this color cast and ensure that the colors in the photograph appear natural and accurate. It is typically set automatically by the camera, but it can also be adjusted manually by the photographer.

To set the white balance, the photographer typically uses a reference object that is pure white, gray, or black, and tells the camera what the correct color of that object is. The camera then adjusts the colors in the photograph to match the reference object, ensuring that the colors are accurate and natural.

White balance is an important consideration in photography, as it can affect the overall look and feel of the image. By setting the white balance correctly, photographers can ensure that the colors in their photographs are accurate and true to life.