Correct White Balance Doesn't Mean Correct Color??

jim evans wrote:
Thanks for the replies. But, either I didn't understand them or they
don't address my question. I understand what white balancing is and
why it's done.

Perhaps I need to better define things.

By "white balance" I mean including a gray card in the image and
adjusting the color such that the card is gray -- R=G=B.

By "correct color" I mean the color of any area or object in the image
matches the color of the actual area or object photographed.

Someone said "Color is what you choose it to be." I don't agree. A
given red fire engine is a specific color of red. If you render it
correctly the image will be the same red as that fire engine.

That fire engine appears as one version of "red" at sunset, and another
version of "red" during mid-day.
The "red" you wish to depict in your image IS, in fact, up to you to the
extent you control your camera's rendition.


Someone else said: "A camera's WB settings assume that the SOLE
source of light is that which it indicates (ALL flash, for example).
When you shoot in these mixed lighting environments, it's almost NEVER
going to be the perfect WB. This means that if you're picky, you'll
still want to make at least minor adjustments."

This statement assumes the white balance is not correct.

No it doesn't. It assumes that the present WB settings on any camera CANNOT
be preset to account for the limitless variations of lighting soources that
exist all over the place.

My question
assumes the white balance is set correctly and asks if this statement
is correct and if so why.

That's a very large assumption.
What do you mean by "set correctly"?
Do you mean a custom white balance?
Or do you simply mean one of the preset WB choices offered by your camera
(sunny, cloudy, shade, etc.)?
If it's the second one, then you will find that SOMETIMES it works--when in
a very typical sunny scene, or 100% flourescent-lighted room...but its
common to have a mixture of light qualities/sources, each with a different
color cast that mixes with others (sunlight through a big window, but
flourescent lighting inside). This means that neither sunny WB nor
flourescent camera WB settings will be accurate. This is where creating a
custom WB is beneficial...or...taking the time to tweak the color balance in
photoshop after the fact.


". . white balance . . . is the first step but not quite the same
thing [as correct color balance]. I.e., you can have poor color even
if the white balance is set right. "

You will note the statement assumes the white balance is correct and
says even then you can have poor color.

I think there is still some question as to what you are referring to as
"correct WB is set."

So rephrasing my question -- how can colors be wrong when the white
balance is correct?

They shouldn't be, unless you've over or under-exposed the image.
But still, I suspect you may not be as "correct" as you think.
Explain further so we can answer your question:
-How are you determining that your WB settings are "correct?"
What basis are you using to establish your certainty of this?
I'm not challenging you... It's just that without knowing what you mean, it
leaves a huge question mark which prevents a helpful, accurate answer.