In photography and videography, white balance (WB) refers to the camera setting that adjusts the color temperature of light to ensure white objects appear truly white in an image or video. Our eyes automatically adjust to different light sources, but cameras need help to accurately capture colors.
Think of it this way: different types of light have different “colors.” Sunlight is different from the light of a lightbulb, which is different from fluorescent lighting. White balance tells the camera what “pure white” looks like in a specific lighting situation, so it can correctly render all other colors. If the white balance is off, your photos might have a blueish or yellowish tint.
Most cameras have automatic white balance (AWB), which tries to guess the correct setting. They also offer presets for common situations like “Daylight,” “Cloudy,” “Tungsten” (indoor bulbs), and “Fluorescent.” For the most accurate results, you can often set a custom white balance by photographing a white or gray card under the existing lighting.
Article of interest: Learn how to photograph your artwork for social media.
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