How to Choose the correct White Balance???

[rhesusv]

Hi guys. I m wondering how can i choose the correct white balance for my F11??? I've tried most of the white balance in the Manual mode but then i can't seem to find the best preset white balance in the place that im taking pic in. Sometimes the pic seems too Warm , sometimes it's too cool. I jsut can't get the correct white balance.

just take this pic for exm:
http://static.flickr.com/75/198077833_7ac8f3908b_o.jpg

the pic turn out abit too cool compared to the lighting at the moment. I've tried setting to other preset white balance but still either it turns out too warm , or too cool.
:confused:

this is wat happen when i set the WB to preset no2 :
http://static.flickr.com/67/198064638_181ee36b07_o.jpg
it turns out abit too warm ........

??????

[P_Schneider]

you can use a piece of white paper to set the custom white balance. It works pretty good on my F10 for challenging lighting.

[sjseto]

Be careful about where you are holding the piece of white paper when you set the white balance. If you set the white balance under one type of lighting and you point your camera at another type, your colours will be off.

The first photo that you took looks pretty good to me. If the lighting is tricky, even if you use manual white balance, the colours in the photo might not be exactly the way your eyes see them in the actual scene, but they'll certainly be more accurate than if you used auto white balance.

It looks like the flash was used in the second photo. White balance settings really only work when flash isn't used. Just stick to auto WB if you're going to use flash.

Stephanie

[rhesusv]

I c. thanks for all the advice. :) I did try to use the auto WB but it seems tat it always turn out too cool. Nvr mind though , i will give the custom WB a try. :) thanks...

[sla]

rhesusv - if your image is too cool after custom WB setting, try to use a piece of paper (or anything) not exactly white, but with bluish tint. This should give warmer cast to the picture. And if the image seems too warm, try something slightly orange (red?).
I haven't used it with my photo camera yet, because slight balance corrections can be easily made with software. But sometimes I set WB in video camera this way, and it works.
It can be even used as a color filter. Try, it can be fun (if you like to experiment with photos).
Slaw

[sla]

I have found something weird when playing with F10 custom white balance. When I set the balance, the result would not be visible on the screen. I can see the setting only for a second or so, after(!) image is captured. Maybe it is normal for F10, but I'm used to see the balance I've set. In the video camera I use, I can see the balance immediately and continuosly on the screen, BEFORE and during recording. So I can see what I capture...
I wonder how it works with different models/brands?