The one cheap tool that improved my photography. Photography must have

A good photo starts with a good foundation . An accurate white balance can make or break your photo especially if you shoot in jpeg. In this photography tutorials I will tell you about my favorites white balance tools, when I use them and also show you step by step how to set a custom white balance in camera. #photography #whitebalance #customwhitebalance
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Affiliate Links
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The amazon and Skylum links in my video description are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase
Buy Luminar Neo here:
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Lastolite 12 inch Ezybalance Card-Grey/White
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WhiBal G7 White Balance Pocket Card
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ExpoDisc EXPOD2-82
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Calibrite ColorChecker Passport Photo 2
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[@Pir8Pete99]

So basic but so overlooked. Thanks Skyler.

[@skylerewingphotography]

Thank you Pir8Pete99

[@petertorokfalvy6493]

Hi Skyler,
Thanks for your range of practical tips for achieving an accurate white balance. Much appreciated 🙂
Peter

[@skylerewingphotography]

Thank YOU , Peter

[@newellbarrett5537]

Dear Skyler,
I am glad to see you using the Colorchecker Passport 2, a wonderful instrument; I find after applying a profile with it, it unlocks up greater, and more responsive, editing possiblities afterwards,
Regards Newell

[@skylerewingphotography]

yes. a lot of people are intimidated by it but I find it pretty easy to use

[@newellbarrett5537]

@@skylerewingphotography Yes, it is loud; but well made.

[@hepgeoff]

Thanks for this info. Would you use the grey card when shooting jpeg as well, or just raw? I can see the importance of white balance for portraits, but do you also use the grey card for landscapes?

[@skylerewingphotography]

Especially use when shooting jpeg. When shooting raw you can change the white balance in post without negative effects. I never take custom white balance for landscape ( but I always shoot raw). I do take custom balance for portraits and studio work.( product and food photography )

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Thank you for these useful advices. Just a question : why use the grey color and not the white to set the white balance in your camera ?

[@skylerewingphotography]

As "18%" gray is such a specific value, opposed to a simple slice of white paper which comes in numerous gradations of "white”
Gray card is been the standard for forever. You could use a white card the same way as long as it is an perfectly neutral white. A lot easier to achieve that with an 18% gray card. White card is usually used for exposure

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

@@skylerewingphotography thank you for your quick answer. Have a nice day.

[@newellbarrett5537]

Dear Skyler,
The white balance instrument you use is grey, yet the white balance tab, within the illustrious Colorchecker Passprt Photo 2, is white- how does that work?
Regards Newell

[@skylerewingphotography]

Hi Newell, here is the way I understand it: the color checker does have a gray card if you want to use it for white balance, is on the page that doesnt have all the color squares. Thats what you use if you want to only fix white balance.
if you use color checker you are making a camera profile for that specific scenario. the whites in the squares I dont think it plays a big roll in the color profile. the color squares are dictating the correct colors. by having correct colors you of course will have perfect white balance. The squares are white with blue or yellow tones next to it so for example for portraits you can warm or cool white balance. by making squares white with blue and yellow undertones is making easier for user to visualize what is happening and you can pick the one it fits your photo. For example the white balance square that has the notch in them are the ones that are neutral. by choosing the ones next to it you can make your photo cooler or warmer .
So to summarize, for quick white balance fix use gray card. For color accuracy use color checker.

[@newellbarrett5537]

@@skylerewingphotography Thanks Skyler,
Yes, the Colorchecker is a wonderful instrument.
But the grey tab, according to Joe Brady, is for exposure setting, see here: ua-cam.com/video/j272xQxCmRk/v-deo.html
The white tab above it for white balance.
The prudent photographer may also set white balance in post production by moving the white balance dropper over the white/ grey tabs along the bottom, while checking the histogram numbers- around 130 should then be clicked on for setting white balance.
But your instructions on setting white balance when shooting is hugely beneficial, thank you,
Regards Newell