If you’ve ever taken a photo indoors that turned out yellowish, or a winter landscape that looked strangely blue, you’ve encountered an issue with white balance. But what is white balance, exactly—and why does it matter so much in photography?
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain what white balance is, why it’s important, how it works, and how to set it for perfect colour in every photo—whether you’re shooting with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone.
What Is White Balance?
White balance (WB) is a camera setting that adjusts the colours in your photo to make white objects appear truly white—no matter the colour temperature of the light source.
Different light sources emit different “colour temperatures,” measured in Kelvin (K). For example:
- Candlelight: 1000–2000K (very warm, orange)
- Tungsten bulb: ~3200K (warm yellow)
- Daylight: ~5500K (neutral white)
- Cloudy sky: ~6000K (slightly cool)
- Shade: 7000K+ (cool blue)
Your eyes automatically adjust to these variations. Cameras, however, need help—this is where white balance comes in.
Why Is White Balance Important?
If the white balance is off, your photo may have an unnatural colour cast:
- Too warm? Your image will look orange or yellow.
- Too cool? It will appear blue or cyan.
Here are some examples
The walls in the church (St Brelades) are whitewashed other than the painting. Also we have mixed light here, the lighting from inside the chapel, and the light coming through the window.
Correct white balance ensures that skin tones look natural, whites look white, and the entire image appears true-to-life.
See the effects of Warm vs Cold White Balance
Auto White Balance (AWB) vs. Manual White Balance
Most modern cameras and smartphones offer Auto White Balance (AWB), which guesses the correct setting. It usually works well—but not always.
When to Use Manual White Balance:
- When photographing products or artwork
- Under mixed lighting (e.g. fluorescent + daylight)
- In creative studio setups
- For consistent results across multiple shots
Common White Balance Presets
Most cameras include built-in white balance presets. Here’s what they mean:
| Preset | Colour Temp (Approx.) | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Auto (AWB) | Varies | General photography |
| Daylight | 5200K–5500K | Outdoors in sunlight |
| Cloudy | 6000K–6500K | Overcast skies |
| Shade | 7000K+ | Outdoor shade (cool blue light) |
| Tungsten | 3200K | Indoor bulb light (yellow cast) |
| Fluorescent | 4000K–5000K | Office or shop lighting |
| Flash | ~5500K | Using flash indoors or out |
| Custom/Kelvin | User-defined | Precise control |
How to Set White Balance
1. In-Camera Settings
Navigate to your camera’s white balance menu and choose a preset, or manually set a Kelvin value.
2. Using a Grey Card or White Object
Point your camera at a neutral grey card and set a custom white balance. Many cameras let you save this setting for future use.
3. Adjust in Post-Production
If you’re shooting in RAW format, you can change white balance during editing using software like:
- Adobe Lightroom
- Capture One
- Photoshop
- Darktable
JPEG files are harder to correct, so it’s best to get it right in-camera. In RAW/DNG the white balance is not preset.
White Balance in Smartphone Photography
Most smartphone cameras use advanced AI for auto white balance—but you can override it in apps like:
- ProCamera (iOS)
- Halide (iOS)
- ProShot (Android & iOS)
- Manual Camera (Android)
Look for a Kelvin slider or WB presets in manual/pro mode.
Creative Uses of White Balance
White balance doesn’t always have to be “correct.” It can also be a creative tool:
- Set it cooler (higher Kelvin) to make sunsets more dramatic.
- Set it warmer (lower Kelvin) to make blue hour feel colder.
- Alter it for artistic expression, like surreal tones or vintage vibes.
Mixing white balance with different sources can be interesting.
Mastering White Balance
Understanding and adjusting white balance is one of the easiest ways to instantly improve your photography. Whether you’re after accurate skin tones or dramatic lighting effects, white balance puts you in control of your image’s mood and realism.
Next time you snap a photo, pay attention to how the colours look—and tweak that WB setting for perfect results.
