Calibrating a digital camera allows the sensor within the camera to properly interpret color.
Digital camera sensors produce optimum color results under lighting conditions that match mid-day sunlight, but there is a big difference in the color of light from a sunny day, an overcast sky, an incandescent light bulb or fluorescent lights. Calibrating a camera, also known as adjusting the white balance, allows the camera to correctly interpret color and present it as the photographer expects. Using one of the camera's preset white balance settings allows the camera to approximate what is correct, but manually calibrating the camera results in a better match.
Instructions
1. Access the menu, which is viewable on the LCD. Find the manual white balance option within the white balance menu. Each camera manufacturer uses a slightly different menu, but all give quick access to the white balance controls. These are labeled manual white balance, custom white balance, one-touch white balance or something similar.
2. Select the manual white balance option to activate the option. You may need to select the option and select "OK" before the manual white balance capability is ready.
3. Place a standard gray card, which can be purchased at most photography supply stores, in the scene to be photographed. The light illuminating the gray card needs to be the same as the light falling upon the scene.
4. Aim the camera at the gray card. If you are using a zoom lens, fill the view finder with the gray card. If you are using a prime lens, move close enough to the gray card, so it fills the view finder. Check that there is no glare or shadow on the gray card.
5. Press the shutter release on the camera just as you would when taking a normal photograph. After releasing the shutter, you many need to select "OK" on the menu shown on the LCD . This is the white balance calibration shot. If you change location so that the light changes or if the light conditions change, you may need to take another calibration shot.
Tags: white balance, gray card, manual white, manual white balance, allows camera, balance option