Nikon 25048 User Manual - Page 114

Keeping Colors True:The White-Balance Menu Reference-Advanced Photography What Is "White Balance"? The color of the light reflected by an object depends on the color of the light source. The human br ain is able to detect and compensate for such changes in color, with the result that a white object will look white to humans whether viewed in sunlight, under overcast skies, or indoors under incandescent or fluorescent lighting. To a camer a, however, the "whites" produced by these different sources of light vary in color,some being slightly blue and others yellow or red. A digital camera can adjust colors according to lighting so that colors that appear white to the human eye also appear white when viewed in the final picture. This adjustment is called "white balance." Choosing a White Balance Setting In auto mode , white balance can be chosen from the white-balance menu (in other modes, white balance is adjusted automatically according to the type of scene). The following options are available: WHITE BALANCE QUAL Auto 1 SIZE White Bal Preset Fine Incandescent S Fluorescent Cloudy A Speedlight MENU O F F SELECT SET Option Description A Auto White balance automatically adjusted to suit lighting conditions. Best choice in most circumstances. White object used as reference to set white balance under unusual White Bal Preset lighting conditions. Fine White balance adjusted for direct sunlight. Incandescent Fluorescent Use when taking photos indoors under incandescent light. Use when taking photos indoors under fluorescent light. Cloudy Use for photos taken outdoors under overcast skies. Speedlight White balance adjusted to match light produced by flash. 100