In the last palm photography class, we started from the basics and talked about some tips and timing about focus point and exposure compensation.

So this time, let’s take a closer look at the impact of white balance and color temperature on photos.

Our environment is filled with various kinds of light, which have different color temperatures. Therefore, when taking pictures with digital cameras and mobile phones, it is often necessary to correct these lights in order to present normal images. white.

This method and procedure of correction is called "white balance".

Generally speaking, if you are taking pictures with a smartphone, in basic (that is, in automatic mode), the white balance correction and setting are automatic. With current technology, we There is no need to worry about white balance correction, most of it is accurate.

However, if it is in a scene where it is easier to misjudge, such as indoors with dim lighting, when we take photos of food or people at dinner parties, the photos will often appear biased. Huang's misjudgment.

At this time, if our mobile phones or cameras can manually adjust the white balance, we can get more correct colors.

Today’s Android smartphone manufacturers pay great attention to the photography function, so under the automatic mode, there will also be a manual mode. The parts that the manual mode can control vary, but most of them will adjust the white balance. options.

For iPhones using iOS, currently the factory default camera APP does not have the option to adjust the white balance. At this time we need to rely on third-party APPs, such as ProCamera, to make adjustments.

Regardless of whether it is Android or iOS, or whether there is an option to adjust the white balance, we can also adjust it after shooting in the APP of the mobile phone. We will also cover this part in the subsequent chapters. Introduction to photography class, don’t miss it.

In addition to white balance, there is another concept that we need to understand a little bit. Regarding color temperature, what is it?

It represents the "color temperature" presented by light, and the unit is K (Kalvin). A higher K number means the temperature is higher, so the display is bluer; a lower K number means the temperature is lower, and the display is yellower. But the adjustments we make on the camera and the phone are exactly the opposite, because if you choose a low K number such as 3000K in the settings, it means that we tell the camera that the current light is warmer and yellower, so the camera and the phone themselves are Correction in the other direction (cooler). However, we need not worry so much about these cumbersome concepts. Nowadays, what you see is what you get on mobile phones and cameras. When it comes to the adjustment options, we can just adjust it directly to the situation where we think the photo is acceptable.

In addition, if you are still unsure about the K number adjustment, in fact, if most mobile phones and cameras can adjust the white balance, they will also have some preset options available, such as automatic white balance, tungsten light, sunny day, etc. Cloudy...etc. Just set it directly according to the light source. The most common places where we need to adjust the white balance are probably restaurants and cafes. The light sources in these places are mostly artificial light sources, which can easily cause a yellowish cast. However, there is still room for fine-tuning between a complete yellow cast and precise correction. This is because the color of the photo, which is either cold or warm, will also affect our perception of the photo. For example, after correcting the photo below, you will inevitably feel that it is too rational and lacks atmosphere.

▲The presentation of the camera’s automatic white balance corrects the white color while retaining some yellow light, and still retains the atmosphere of a restaurant. Photographed by Asus Zenfone 4 Pro.

▲After camera calibration, the color of the picture appears accurate, but the atmosphere in the restaurant is relatively missing. Photographed by Asus Zenfone 4 Pro.

When will we need to adjust the white balance? Dawn and dusk are a scene that is very suitable for manual fine-tuning. Through adjustment, if we can make the photo appear yellower and warmer, it will also be more beautiful. It can show the warm atmosphere of sunset and sunrise.

▲The white balance is misjudged, and the picture is colder. Although it can show the color of the blue sky, it does not have the feeling of sunset. Photographed by Sony XZ2.

▲We adjusted the picture to be warmer, and the entire picture immediately showed the gorgeous orange-red color that the sunset should have in our minds. Photographed by Sony XZ2.

In addition, the white balance of the picture will actually affect our view of color. For example, when shooting subjects such as autumn maple red, if we can adjust it to be more yellowish and warmer, it will actually be more expressive. There are red leaves all over the mountains and fields.

▲Accurately rendered mountain and forest colors. Photographed by HTC U11.

▲Adjust to warmer tones to bring out the maple red all over the mountains and plains. Photographed by HTC U11.

Also, when would you use cooler tones? If we want to emphasize blue, such as when the sky is blue, adjusting it slightly toward blue can achieve a better presentation. In addition, night scenes and high-tech buildings in cities are quite suitable for colder adjustments.

▲The camera automatically adjusts the white balance, shot by Huawei Mate10 Pro.

▲Adjust to cooler colors to make the building more technological. Photographed by Huawei Mate10 Pro.

In fact, the color and arrangement of photos will affect our perception of the picture. If it is bluer and cooler, it is easier to highlight the sense of technology, rationality and other ideas; if it is yellower and warmer, it is easier to have a feeling of warmth and geniality. As a basic concept course, this palm photography class ends here with the introduction to white balance and color temperature.

In the follow-up, whether it is the adjustment teaching of the APP, or the shooting of food, cafes, night scenes, etc., this concept will be used. We will introduce the actual shooting step by step, hoping to help you complete many good photos with your mobile phone. So, see you in our next palm photography class!

▲Photographed by Olympus PEN F, a technological night scene in the city.

▲Photographed by Olympus PEN F, a fusion of modernity and tradition.