Colour temperature can be quantified scientifically using a temperature scale marked in degrees Kelvin. Lighting can vary in ‘colour temperature’ between 2000 degrees Kelvin (warm) and 9500 degrees Kelvin (cold). This derives from the fact that the light emitted by heated objects produces a spectrum which changes as the temperature increases. Low temperature lighting is progressively warmer (more red/yellow), while high-temperature lighting grows progressively colder (more blue).
This is what the white balance control on a digital camera is designed to compensate for. You can either leave it set to ‘automatic’ and hope for the best, or choose a manual preset to match the conditions. Some high-end digital cameras quote white balance values in degrees Kelvin, but most use named presets corresponding to specifi c conditions, like Daylight, Tungsten and Shade. Our chart illustrates the variations in colour temperature you might encounter with a range of subjects and shooting situations.
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