White balance
Definition
The process of adjusting colours in an image or video so that neutral tones appear natural under different lighting conditions.
Advanced
Measured in Kelvin. Daylight is about 5600 K, tungsten is about 3200 K. Mixed lighting can require gels or targeted corrections in post.
Why it matters
Prevents unwanted colour casts and keeps brand colours accurate.
Use cases
- Office shoots under mixed LED and window light
- Product photography where colour accuracy matters
- Event coverage with stage lighting
Metrics
- Daylight preset near 5200 to 5600 K
- Tungsten preset near 3000 to 3200 K
Issues
- Mixed light sources causing inconsistent skin tones
- Auto white balance shifting between shots
Example
Setting 5600 K with a grey card for consistency across a day of headshots.