Kelvin temperature setting.

[equetefue]

I understand the concept of the kelvin temp settings, but does anyone use it and what if the primary settings used ?

Edwin

[viewfinder]

A quick summary here, but you can search on Google and get lots of other articles on the subject matter:
http://www.betterphoto.com/article.asp?id=24

Like all things digital, colour temperature (or the adjustment of which) is variable in post processing right through the scale, shooting in RAW will give you the most mileage in terms of temperature adjustment. In the film and slide case, each is typically tuned or balanced for a particular temperature, e.g. 5500 for daylight film.

Regards,
Jonathan

[Jeff JTPhoto]

Auto White balance sets the color temperature for you.
Using a Pre-set WB puts you in the ball park for your light conditions..
Setting the Kevin temp allows you to tweak the WB color temp to temps that fall between the pre-set temps.

[equetefue]

so you all shoot AWB ??

I mean it really doesnt make a diference because I shoot RAW, but when doing PP sometimes is hard to find a good neutral point to set the WB.

Like how you guys set the white balance on your pics when doing PP. It would be easy if you can set a neutral card in front of what you taking a pic of but it's very impractical.

[viewfinder]

so you all shoot AWB ??

I mean it really doesnt make a diference because I shoot RAW, but when doing PP sometimes is hard to find a good neutral point to set the WB.

Like how you guys set the white balance on your pics when doing PP. It would be easy if you can set a neutral card in front of what you taking a pic of but it's very impractical.
Your mileage varies with AWB, depending on the scene and the camera's brain.

If there is something that you know is white in the image, that is a good starting point by using the white balance selector/eyedrop tool during PP. Once the white point is set, you will need to fine tune the temperature and tint. There is no magic AWB tool in post processing, you will always have to fine tune. It helps if you monitor is accurately calibrated.

An 18% gray card can be used when you are shooting to set the correct white balance if you are keen, i.e. take a reference shot of the gray card and set the camera WB for each scene. Personally I have not bother with this approach, but I may give it a go one day.

Regards,
Jonathan

[Jeff JTPhoto]

Yes I use Auto WB 90% of the time. If you shoot jpegs it is more critical to get the color temp right the first time.
In your RAW converter there is the WB (white point picker) just click on a part of the scene that you believe to be true white and the color temperature will balance to that white. It is the same as using a white card and custom WB.

[Kevin]

I shoot AWB most of the time, unless I'm shooting in the studio.

In addition to what Jeff suggests about a white point, you can do the same with a black point. Also with the grey point but it's a bit harder, imo. I like to run my cursor around those areas (white, black or what I think should be neutral grey) to check for color casts. Usually your RAW converter or PS will show you the RGB values and you can see if something's out of whack.