White balance plays a critical role in shaping how your photos look and feel. Getting it right can mean the difference between a shot that feels natural and one that seems off. But white balance isn’t just about technical accuracy; it’s also a powerful tool for creative expression.
Coming to you from Gareth Evans with Park Cameras, this helpful video focuses on how to use white balance in Lightroom Classic for both correction and creativity. Evans explains the fundamentals, including the temperature and tint sliders, and stresses the importance of shooting in raw for maximum flexibility. Working with JPEGs limits your ability to make significant adjustments without degrading the image, so starting with raw files is key. The video also highlights how auto white balance in cameras often does a decent job but can overcompensate in certain environments, such as adding magenta in green-heavy scenes like forests.
Evans demonstrates several techniques for adjusting white balance. You can manually tweak the temperature and tint sliders to achieve a natural look or use Lightroom’s auto white balance setting for a quick fix. Another option is the white balance selector tool, which allows you to click on a neutral area in your image to set the white balance. Neutral tones, such as whites or grays, provide the most accurate results. Evans emphasizes the importance of checking the RGB values in the white balance picker to ensure the selected area is truly neutral. The closer these values are to each other, the better your results.
Beyond technical corrections, the video explores how white balance can be used creatively. In a sunset photo, Evans adjusts the sliders to enhance the warm tones, creating a more vibrant and atmospheric image. Alternatively, for a blue-hour shot, he leans into cooler tones to emphasize the time of day and the mood of the scene. Using the histogram can also help align tonal peaks, but creative adjustments often require stepping away from technical perfection to achieve a desired aesthetic.
The video emphasizes the balance between technical accuracy and artistic vision. While tools like auto white balance and the histogram can provide guidance, your own preferences and the story you want your image to tell are equally important. Whether you’re aiming for a neutral tone or pushing the boundaries of color grading, understanding these tools gives you the control. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Evans.
