Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
I have an odd query.
On our Christmas tree we have artistically draped a gorgeous, thick, luscious, royal purple piece of tinsel.
When I look at it through my camera view finder it is blue! When I take a photo it is blue! Why?
Just to add, I was looking at it in natural daylight - dull overcast!
Presumably Karen, you're using a camera with an electronic viewfinder?
The colours through an optical one should be the same as they are to the eye since you're (technically) looking through a sheet of glass.
Although I've no idea why the tinsel should appear to be blue!
Do all or any other colours look strange?
Thanks Matt and Brendan - All the other colours look fine!
It looked blue through both the view finder and the viewing screen!
Here is a quick snap, taken with flash!
The dull green is the tree, the shiney green some green tinsel and the blue! When I look at the tinsel in real life it is a sort of plumy rich purple - this is not purple! Though saying that, the odd strand is purple-ish!
Just an idea Karen but try setting your white balance to 'flourescent'.
Canon s3
If you don't know what white balance is, the chances are you've had your camera in AUTO. To check press the function button. Two down from the top is the white balance setting.
The settngs are:
AWB. (Auto white balance)
Sunlight
Cloudy
Tungsten (Normal light bulbs)
Fluorescent (For "strip" lights)
Fluorescent high (For powerful strip lights)
Flash (when using flash!!)
Custom
If you want to be really sure you can set a custom white balance which is very easy on the S3. Simply go to the custom setting, point your camera at something white (ensuring that it is in the lighting conditions you want) then press set. The camera will then assume that whatever you have pointed it at is the benchmark for white. Most people who do this carry a white (or grey) piece of card, that can be bought from camera suppliers. Youmust make sure you fill the entire screen with the card, or the white colour.
In all honesty, I've never used the custom setting as I have always been able to set the WB to something I'm happy with. This is where the live view comes in handy again. Flick through the white balance settings on the camera and the LCD screen will show you the effect immediately.
HTH matt
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
Olympus 'Portraiture' Competition - Win £1000 Worth Of Gear!
30th April 2013 - 31st May 2013
This month, to celebrate the launch of Olympus' new micro site Olympus Image Space, Olympus are giving you the chance to win £1000 worth of Olympus gear!...
Featured e2 Photo
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
