| If the color of the video you shoot is messed up, | | | | Tungsten halogen TV lights are orange and come in |
| chances are high that the problem is either with | | | | at 3200 degrees kelvin. |
| white balancing the camera or the "color" of the light | | | | You do not really have to know these exact values |
| you are videotaping in. | | | | to adjust your camera. |
| These two things are a bit on the technical side | | | | Most cameras white balance by pointing them at a |
| when it comes to making video but they are not | | | | white card that is reflecting the light being shot under. |
| really that hard to understand. White balancing and | | | | Then a button is pushed and the camera reads the |
| color temperature are intricately related and any | | | | white and adjusts all other colors relative to the |
| discussion of one will include the other. | | | | white. |
| White balancing is an adjustment you make to the | | | | It is important to re-white balance your camera |
| camera that tells it what kind of light you are | | | | every time you change light sources and of course, |
| recording in so that the camera records video the | | | | every time you turn it on. |
| correct color. | | | | One advanced tip is to white balance on a card with |
| Small, automatic cameras always have automatic | | | | a slight blue tint and you will get a nice warm orange. |
| white balancing so you do not need to worry about | | | | Not orange enough to look distorted, just orange |
| it, but larger video cameras have manual white | | | | enough to look inviting. |
| balance control which gives you better quality. Now a | | | | You can do the reverse by balancing on a slightly |
| small automatic camera can easily be overwhelmed | | | | orange card. This gives you a blue tint, which might |
| by different colored lights and not be able to handle | | | | just be what you need to make that Christmas |
| it, but outside of changing your light, you would have | | | | scene shot in July look cold. |
| no control over the situation. | | | | To play it safe and get the truest color, it is best to |
| WHY DO YOU NEED TO WHITE BALANCE? | | | | shoot in one type of light. Mixtures can throw a |
| Different types of light are different colors, and | | | | camera off. For example, if you shoot inside under |
| these differences are measured on what's known as | | | | incandescent light your windows will look overly blue. |
| the Kelvin color temperature scale. Color temperature | | | | Sometimes that can actually look nice, but often it |
| has no relation to any HEAT that might be given off | | | | looks horrible. |
| by the light, rather it is about where the light falls on | | | | If you go outside to shoot without changing your |
| the color spectrum. | | | | white balance setting from taping indoors, your video |
| The camera needs to adjust itself, called white | | | | is likely to be very blue. |
| balancing, in order to shoot proper color. This might | | | | If your camera has a manual white balance, use it |
| seem strange, because light generally looks white to | | | | every single time you change light. Also change it as |
| us humans, regardless of its source. We do not see | | | | the day lingers, because sunlight in the evening is |
| sunlight as blue, florescent light as green, or | | | | much bluer than sunlight at noon. If your camera |
| incandescent as orange, but they are. | | | | does it automatically, cross your fingers and hope for |
| Cameras see the light as it is truly colored but our | | | | the best. Most do amazingly well. |
| brains and eyes sort them all out as white or else | | | | One great feature to look for in more advanced |
| we'd feel like we were on a permanent LSD trip. | | | | video cameras is the ability to set white balance |
| (Wow man, everything is soooo colorful.) | | | | presets. They can help you change your white |
| Color temperature is the technical term for measuring | | | | balance quickly, without having to go through the |
| the color of light. The Kelvin Temperature scale is | | | | typical routine with the white card. |
| used. Standard sunlight is about 5,400 degrees Kelvin. | | | | I hope this information helps you make better videos! |
| Shadowy sunlight is "colder," about 7,400 degrees. | | | | |