How to Take a White Balance for Outdoor Portraits

Natural light available outside can do wonders for your photographs.

The concept of color balance or neutral balance in photography is universally called "white balance." With digital technology you can set the white balance on your camera so that your pictures will turn out well in all light. Nevertheless, you may still need to do some work afterward to adjust the pictures with image editing programs. However, if you take a white balance before you start shooting your portraits you will have more accurate colors and will save hours from editing. Indoors, you can use a white wall. Most photographers prefer to use a gray card outdoors.

Things You'll Need

• Collapsible gray card that is usually white on one side and 18 percent gray on the other side (see Resources)

Instructions

1. Ask the person whose portrait you are making to hold the collapsible gray card with the gray side facing the camera.

2. Fill the frame of your camera with the gray card.

3. Press the shutter and shoot.

4. Use this shot as your white balance while making portraits in that spot as the camera will register it as its preset.

Tips & Warnings

• As soon as the light changes or when you change locations, make sure to take a white balance again.

References

• The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters"; Joe McNally; 2008
• The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression"; Bruce Barnbaum;2010
• Kean Hui: 13 Tips for Improving Outdoor Portraits
• Earthboundlight:If it's Called "White Balance," Why Do People Use Gray Cards?

Resources

• Amazon: Lastolite LL LR1250 12-Inch Ezybalance Card (Grey/White)