Photo Tip - White Balance

This month’s photo tip is about White Balance.  If you have ever taken a picture that turned out orange or blue or some other strange color, then you have experienced the effects of white balance.

White balance compensates for the different colors emitted by different types of light sources and adjusting your white balance accordingly will make your pictures into powerful marketing tools.

White balance controls should be easily accessed from you camera’s menu.  If you are unsure how to get to it, consult your manual.  Here is what you need to know.  White balance controls include settings for sun, shade, overcast, incandescent light, fluorescent light, and flash.  Some cameras will include others as well, but these are the most important for real estate photography.

Chose the setting that most closely matches your light source.  If you are shooting on a sunny day, choose the sun setting; if you are shooting on an overcast day, chose overcast; etc.  Now, here’s the super secret tip: if you are shooting inside with mixed light (lamps and window light) choose the overcast setting.  This will give your images a warm and inviting look.

That’s it!  Have photo questions?  Email your pictures or questions to Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours.  You may even see your tips turn up here!