Using Color Correction Filters for Better White Balance
![Using Color Correction Filters for Better White Balance](http://photo-store.pro/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ftt5y-300x261.jpg)
Color correction filters are used in photography and videography to achieve better white balance by adjusting the color temperature of the light entering the camera. White balance is essential to ensure that the colors in your images or videos appear natural and accurate, especially when shooting in different lighting conditions. When the white balance is off, images can appear too warm (yellowish) or too cool (bluish).
Color correction filters, also known as color correction gels or simply color gels, are transparent sheets made from a specially formulated color filter material. These gels come in various colors and are placed in front of the light source, such as a strobe, LED panel, or window, to modify the color temperature of the light before it reaches the subject or scene.
Here’s how color correction filters work for better white balance:
Understanding Color Temperature:
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and represents the color appearance of light sources. Lower Kelvin values (around 2000K to 4000K) produce warm, yellowish light, while higher values (around 5000K to 10,000K) produce cooler, bluish light. Daylight is usually considered neutral and falls around 5500K to 6500K.
Selecting the Right Filter:
To correct the color temperature of a light source, you need to choose a color correction filter with the appropriate color temperature shift. Color correction filters are available in various strengths, denoted by their filter number or letter codes.
A blue filter (e.g., CTB – Color Temperature Blue) is used to cool down warm light sources. For instance, if you’re shooting indoors under tungsten lighting (which has a low color temperature around 3200K), adding a blue filter to your light can bring the color temperature closer to daylight.
An orange filter (e.g., CTO – Color Temperature Orange) is used to warm up cool light sources. If you’re shooting outdoors during a cloudy day or in shade, where the light has a higher color temperature, using an orange filter can bring it closer to tungsten lighting.
Placing the Filter:
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate filter, you can attach it to your light source. Many lighting modifiers, like softboxes and gels, have built-in slots or holders for color correction filters. If not, you can secure the gel using clips or gaffer tape.
Setting White Balance:
After attaching the color correction filter, it’s crucial to set the white balance on your camera accordingly. You can use the camera’s custom white balance setting or manually adjust the Kelvin value to match the color temperature of the light with the filter applied.
Using color correction filters allows you to control the color temperature of your light sources and ensure accurate white balance in your photographs or videos. It’s particularly valuable in situations where you have mixed lighting sources with different color temperatures, as it helps unify the overall look of the scene and ensures that the colors appear natural and true to life.