White Balance: Adjusting Colors for Different Lighting Environments

As a photographer, one of the most important aspects of achieving accurate and natural-looking images is mastering white balance. Whether you’re shooting in a studio, outdoors, or under artificial lights, understanding how to adjust white balance will help you maintain true-to-life colors in your photos.

What is White Balance?

White balance (WB) is the process of correcting color casts in an image so that whites appear white and colors remain accurate under different lighting conditions. Every light source has a different color temperature, measured in Kelvins (K):

• Daylight/Sunlight – Around 5500K (neutral, balanced white light)

• Cloudy/Shade – Around 6000K-7500K (cooler, bluish tones)

• Tungsten/Incandescent Bulbs – Around 2500K-3500K (warm, yellow-orange tones)

• Fluorescent Lighting – Around 4000K-5000K (slightly greenish)

If your camera’s white balance setting is incorrect, you may end up with images that are too warm (yellow/orange) or too cool (blue).

How to Adjust White Balance in Camera

Most cameras, including the Canon R6 Mark II, offer several WB presets:

• Auto White Balance (AWB) – The camera makes an educated guess based on the scene. Good for general use but not always accurate.

• Daylight – Best for shooting in natural sunlight.

• Cloudy/Shade – Warms up cooler outdoor tones.

• Tungsten – Corrects the orange cast from incandescent bulbs.

• Fluorescent – Reduces the green tint from fluorescent lights.

• Flash – Balances the cool tone of flash photography.

• Custom WB – Allows you to set an exact color temperature for tricky lighting conditions.

Using Custom White Balance

For precise color control, use custom white balance by photographing a neutral gray or

in the same lighting as your subject. Then, select that image in your camera’s WB settings to calibrate colors accurately.

Adjusting White Balance in Post-Processing

If you shoot RAW, you have the flexibility to adjust WB in post-production using Lightroom, Capture One, or Photoshop. Simply tweak the temperature (blue/yellow slider) and tint (green/magenta slider) to correct any color shifts.

Pro Tip for Consistent Color

If you’re shooting a series of images under the same lighting, set a custom WB in-camera or use WB presets to maintain consistency, rather than relying on Auto White Balance, which can shift slightly from shot to shot.

Final Thoughts

White balance is crucial for maintaining accurate and professional-looking images. Whether you’re photographing corporate headshots, branding sessions, or high-fashion editorials, adjusting WB ensures that skin tones look natural and brand colors remain true. Experiment with different settings and take control of your colors for the best results!

Do you have a favorite white balance trick or struggle with certain lighting situations? Let’s discuss in the comments!