Some photographers are confused by the concept of setting white balance in the camera, and we frequently post tutorials on this important topic. Today’s video with Jimmy West simplifies the notion by explaining that “white balance matters more you think and why these three settings are the only ones you’ll ever need.”
West is a versatile Australian pro whose portfolio contains an impressive selection of landscape, street, and seascape imagery. He begins this enlightening episode by breaking down what white balance actually does, how it affects every photo you capture, and three simple options that will keep your editing workflow fast and stress-free.
He puts it like this: “Whether you’re shooting landscapes, street photos, or video content, these are the only white balance settings I recommend, and I’ll explain why I personally lock mine to Daylight (5600K) for nearly all of my photography—even when the light changes.”
The bottom line is that by following his advice you be able to achieve realistic results and maintain color consistency from one shoot to another. So what is this trio of essential settings? Keep watching!
The trick is understanding which option to choose when, and this is what you’ll learn how to determine with precision in the next 10 minutes. As West likes to say, “sometimes capturing the perfect shot isn’t about what’s in front of you, but rather how you see it.”
West starts with the basics, explaining that white balance is a setting that tells the camera how neutral white should appear based upon the color temperature of prevailing light. Natural illumination on a cloudy day, for example, is cool and bluish, while incandescent bulbs or sunrises and sunsets are warm and orange.
But here’s the rub: “You camera tries to compensate for this by shifting the color tones to try to make white look neutral”—even though this may not faithfully represent what your saw through the viewfinder nor be the effect you intend to convey.
That why white balance isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it operation and why you often must help your camera out by exerting a bit of control. West greatly simplifies the process with illustrative photos that exemplify the benefits of the three settings he recommends.
There’s are many more shooting tips and gear recommendations on West’s instructional YouTube channel, so be sure to take a look when you have time to explore. We also recommend watching the helpful explainer we featured earlier in the week with a notable German pro who explains how camera drive modes work and which options are appropriate for different styles of photography.
Capturing a subject in silhouette is one of the most dramatic ways to shoot compelling images, especially if you’re working in b&w. Today’s tutorial from the New Ways of Seeing YouTube channel demonstrates everything you need to know for achieving this powerful effect.
Instructor Rupert Vandervell is an accomplished British fine art photographer and a very popular educator who isn’t afraid to take an unexpected approach. This episode is designed with street photographers in mind, but much of what you’ll learn is equally applicable for capturing all sorts of images in the field.
Rupert puts it like this: “The balance of light and dark is very important in photography, and no more so than in the high-contrast fine art style. Light and shade are the very building blocks of this kind of imagery and shooting in black and white is the perfect way to show off the look as the tonal ranges can be pushed to the extreme.”
As you’ll see, the human shape can be quite fascinating when viewed in silhouette,” and so are other easily identified subjects or objects. Rupert notes further that recognizable forms can be even more powerful when combined with geometric shapes within the frame. There are also several composition techniques you can employ to heighten the result.
It’s also important to give subjects a prominent place against the backdrop. And when it comes to shooting on the street, he recommends looking for people wearing hats, flowing coats, carrying bags, or even interesting hair styles that add a unique twist to their shape.
Rupert notes that, “the way a person walks or their standing pose looks quite exaggerated (in an eye-catching way) when seen in silhouette and create the kind of character that will make an image have a real stand-out quality.” One way to do this is by anticipating a subject’s movements so that you’re prepared to capture the key moment before it occurs.
This is just a small taste of the helpful advice that Rupert provides, and by the time the video concludes you’ll be ready to expand your vision and give these technique a try. There’s much more to learn on the New Ways of Seeing YouTube channel, so pay a visit when you have time to explore.
And don’t miss a tutorial we featured recently with a successful German pro who demonstrates what he says are the most effective outdoor composition techniques for inexperienced photographers.
