Custom White Balance using a simple Coffee filter

By Daryle Holmstrom - 3/23/06

Below are four examples using various white balance settings, the manual or custom setting is the most accurate in this series. Photos were taken in a light tent with fluorescent from above and daylight from the left side.


Auto

Daylight

Day White Fluorescent

Manual

 


This is a photo of my setup. I use a Fuji S7000 camera but the tutorial will apply to most digital cameras. Just the settings will vary.

First step is to go to your custom white balance setting, with my Fuji it is under the menu button, other cameras will vary.

Second step is to set the custom white balance.

Third step is to place a white coffee filter over the lens, with my camera I hit the shutter button to set it.

After setting the white balance I get the completed message. You can now remove the coffee filter and shoot with your custom setting.

This is the final shot with the custom setting, pretty much straight out of the camera with a very slight levels correction, reduced to 480 pixels on the short side, power retouch default sharpen.

The custom white balance will work in all situations, just carry a couple of the conical coffee filters in your bag.
Happy Shooting,
Daryle

 





 
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