Judging colour temperature Part 1 and 2

9th January 2013

Part 1

This exercise looks at the colour of the light at different times of day when the same white balance is selected. Picture 1 and 2 were taken on the same day with the white balance set to daylight. Unfortunately the sunshine did not hold, so picture 3 was taken a few days later.

1.Midday sun - shade                                      2. Midday sun - full sun                

 

1/1000 F4 ISO200 82mm                                          1/180 F4 ISO200 105mm          Daylight 1/1/13 11:39                                         Daylight 1/1/13 11:42                      

 

 

3. Low sun – sun

1/45 F4 ISO400 105mm

Daylight5/1/13 15:56

 

In picture 1, (shade) the face appears blue because the blue from the sky is reflected onto the subject. More detail is retained in this the photo than when taken in full sun although the reflected blue of the sky makes the subject appear dull and washed out. By using the shade, the facial skin tones are more even and flattering than when taken in full sun.

 

Picture 2 has brighter colours than picture 1, and more shadows and highlights, but the shadows lack detail.

Picture 3 was taken later in the day just before sunset. I was surprised at the blueness. This is again reflected blue from the sky. The photo retains detail in the shadows as they are not so dark as picture 2. I think I took this too late in the afternoon and the sun was too low.

To correct picture 1 (shade), I would use shade white balance.

To correct picture 2, (daylight) I would move the subject into shade and use the shade white balance, or turn the subject so that she was not squinting. The colour temperature is acceptable.

To correct picture 3, I would take the picture an hour earlier in the afternoon (as shown in the next part). This may change the blue into a warmer red tone. If this was not possible, I would try shade white balance. (see part 2 low horizon)

Part 2

This part looks at the same type of subject as in part 1 and how to correct the colour by using a different white balance. I used a different face and took 3 photos as in part 1 using 3 types of white balance – auto white balance, daylight and cloudy.

1. Midday sun – daylight  2. Midday sun – shade 
     
1/1000 F4 ISO100 80mm     1/1000 F4 ISO100 80mm
Daylight 9/1/13 12:28        Shade 9/1/13 12:28 (converted in RAW to shade)

3. Midday sun – auto white balance

1/1000 F4 ISO100 80mm
Auto white balance 9/1/13 12:28 (converted in RAW to AWB)

My preferred colour of these photos is daylight (picture 2). 1 (shade) is too orange and 3(AWB) is too blue.

1. Midday shade – daylight     2. Midday shade – shade
           
1/30 F13 ISO200 105mm               1/60 F13 ISO400 105mm
Daylight white balance 9/1/13 12:34  Shade white balance 9/1/13 12:34

3. Midday shade – auto white balance

1/60 F13 ISO400 105mm AWB 9/1/13 12:28

My preferred photo is 1 (daylight). It gives warmth to the picture. Shade (2) has some blue tones to the photo which are noticeable when compared side by side. The blue tones in the sky are more visible than in auto white balance (3).Shade was quite realistic for what I remember.

1. Sun close to horizon – daylight     2. Sun close to horizon – shade
                
1/90 F8 IS0100mm 80mm               1/60 F8 ISO100 84mm
Daylight white balance 9/1/13 14:48  Shade white balance 9/1/13 14:48

3. Sun close to horizon – auto white balance

1/60 F8 ISO100 84mm auto white balance 9/1/13 14:48

My preferred photo is 1 (daylight). 2 (shade) gives too much orange and auto white balance(3) is slightly blue. The colour is less saturated than (1) and (2). This picture was taken an hour earlier in the day than the low horizon in part 1. It showed me that timing matters in winter when hours of sunlight are less.