White balancing in IR

cantaresg · 28th July 2007

Hi, I am trying out IR photography, and is using a cokin filter for it. I read that we need to do white balancing for the shots but am not sure how to go about doing it.

When using the IR filter, I need to do custom white balancing. Do I use a normal white card to do the job? Or what should I use to do white balancing?

Thanks in advance.

teerex · 28th July 2007

Originally Posted by cantaresg

Hi, I am trying out IR photography, and is using a cokin filter for it. I read that we need to do white balancing for the shots but am not sure how to go about doing it.

When using the IR filter, I need to do custom white balancing. Do I use a normal white card to do the job? Or what should I use to do white balancing?

Thanks in advance.

Setting White Balance for IR is different from color photography where you use a white card or 18% Gray Card.

Here's a Sticky on Setting Custom White Balance for various cameras for shooting IR. These applies to whichever IR filter you choose to use.

night86mare · 28th July 2007

These days not very good for IR, bad time to start trying now.

Wait until the weather clears up first, unless you're fine with moody shots. The WB you get won't be very useful, so redo it when the skies clear up and there's actually sun.

In short, use a tripod, fill your frame with green grass/leaves in sunlight, attach IR filter, take a shot until you're familiar with what sort of exposure setting you need to get a properly exposed IR shot (use histogram or eye), then.. Use Custom WB function in your camera to take the custom WB.

cantaresg · 3rd August 2007

I have no issues setting white balance on the camera. More concerned with the targets that I should choose to do white balancing. So should I use green leaves instead?

night86mare · 3rd August 2007

Originally Posted by cantaresg

I have no issues setting white balance on the camera. More concerned with the targets that I should choose to do white balancing. So should I use green leaves instead?

Green leaves/foliage in the sun.

Make sure that there is sunlight on the subject you wish to use for WB.

28th July 2007	#1
cantaresg Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Woodlands Posts: 767	White balancing in IR Hi, I am trying out IR photography, and is using a cokin filter for it. I read that we need to do white balancing for the shots but am not sure how to go about doing it. When using the IR filter, I need to do custom white balancing. Do I use a normal white card to do the job? Or what should I use to do white balancing? Thanks in advance.

28th July 2007	#3
night86mare Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in your mind Posts: 19,306	Re: White balancing in IR These days not very good for IR, bad time to start trying now. Wait until the weather clears up first, unless you're fine with moody shots. The WB you get won't be very useful, so redo it when the skies clear up and there's actually sun. In short, use a tripod, fill your frame with green grass/leaves in sunlight, attach IR filter, take a shot until you're familiar with what sort of exposure setting you need to get a properly exposed IR shot (use histogram or eye), then.. Use Custom WB function in your camera to take the custom WB. __________________ Gallery \| Dreamscapes 09 Pentaxian 伪君子之所以更可憎

3rd August 2007	#4
cantaresg Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Woodlands Posts: 767	Re: White balancing in IR I have no issues setting white balance on the camera. More concerned with the targets that I should choose to do white balancing. So should I use green leaves instead?