Manual white balance - how it works

With manual white balance, you can optimally set the color temperature of the ambient light.

Manual white balance using the handkerchief method

To do this quickly and easily, you only need a white, clean handkerchief.

• Simply stretch it tightly around the lens using a rubber band.
• Now point the camera at the primary light source, set the manual focus and release. IMPORTANT: The camera must not point in the direction of the subject but must be directed towards the light source. If you have multiple angles of incidence with different color temperatures, you have to choose one. Mixing is not possible.
• With the Canon EOS 550D / 600D, you can do the following: Use the "Custom WB" menu to select the "white" image you just created for manual white balance.
• For other camera models, please use the manual to find the manual white balance setting. Finally, all you have to do when taking your picture is make sure that the "Custom WB" mode is selected.

Above all, this method is quick and inexpensive. A "normal" white paper is rather unsuitable for white balance because it is mixed with light shades of blue. If you ever forget the white balance, we will tell you in another practical tip how to remove the color casts using Photoshop.