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Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.

Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!

Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:

https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/ 

Last Week’s Topic: AE-L, AF-L, and * Buttons

Last week we discussed the AE-L, AF-L, and * buttons and how they give photographers more control over exposure and focus. AE-L locks exposure so the camera does not change its meter reading when you recompose, while AF-L locks focus so the camera does not refocus unexpectedly. On many cameras, the * button is also used for back-button focus, separating focusing from the shutter release for faster and more flexible shooting.

This Week’s Topic: White Balance Explained

This week we move into white balance, one of the most useful tools for getting color to look natural or intentionally stylized in your photos. White balance is the process of removing unrealistic color casts so that white objects look white and other colors appear more accurate under different lighting conditions. Cameras use white balance to account for the color temperature of the light source, since daylight, tungsten, shade, fluorescent light, and flash can all shift color in different ways.

White balance matters because our eyes adjust to changing light very well, but cameras often need help. Without the right white balance, an image can look too blue, too orange, or even green depending on the light. That can be distracting in portraits, product photos, interiors, and any scene where color accuracy is important.

How It Works

Auto White Balance, or AWB, is the camera’s automatic attempt to estimate the correct color temperature for the scene. It works well in many everyday situations, but it can struggle with mixed lighting or unusual scenes, such as a person standing near a window at sunset or under mixed indoor lights. Many cameras also offer presets such as daylight, cloudy, shade, tungsten, fluorescent, flash, and custom white balance, which give you more control when auto settings are not quite right.

If your camera offers Kelvin control, you can set color temperature directly for even more precision. Lower Kelvin values produce a warmer look, while higher Kelvin values produce a cooler look. Custom white balance, often set with a gray card or neutral target, is especially helpful when you need consistent color across a series of images.

Using White Balance Well

A simple way to approach white balance is to think about the look you want before you press the shutter. If you want accurate, natural color, start with AWB or a preset that matches the light source. If you want a more creative mood, you can deliberately warm or cool the image by choosing a different setting or adjusting it later in editing.

A few practical suggestions can help you get better results:

• Use AWB for fast-moving situations or changing light.
• Use a preset when the light source is obvious, such as tungsten indoors or daylight outside.
• Use custom white balance or a gray card when accuracy matters most.
• Shoot RAW when possible so you can fine-tune white balance later without damaging image quality.
• Review skin tones, white objects, and neutral grays to judge whether the color looks right.

Common Problems and Fixes

One common problem is trusting AWB too much in mixed lighting. The camera may choose a compromise that looks close but not quite right, especially when different light sources are competing in the same frame. In those cases, switching to a preset or custom white balance often gives a more reliable result.

Another issue is using white balance as if it were only for correction, when it can also be used creatively. A warmer setting can make a sunrise feel richer, while a cooler setting can make a winter scene or night image feel more crisp and dramatic. The key is to decide whether you want accurate color or a particular mood, then set white balance accordingly.

Next Week’s Topic: Open Forum

Next week we’ll continue in this vein with an open forum about photography terms, cameras, and techniques. That session will be a chance to ask questions, compare notes, and talk through the ideas that have come up in recent weeks. It should be a great way to wrap up the month with a broad and practical discussion.

Join Us On the Air

Whether you shoot with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone, you’re welcome to check in, share your thoughts, and join the conversation. The Photography Discussion Roundtable Net meets every Monday evening on the BrandMeister DMR network, Talkgroup 31266, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM Eastern.

73 and happy shooting!
Photography Discussion Roundtable Net team