Black or White <- Nothing to do with MJ

[KopiOkaya]

After last week's 'Rediscover Nostalgia' outing, there is a sturdy but gradual awareness of proper use of the camera's white balance settings.

Unfortunately, most compact cameras do not allow the photographer to shoot in RAW format (which allows them to adjust the color temperature later during post-processing). As such, compact camera users must get the white balance correct during photo-taking.

Most compact camera users set their camera white balance to AUTO, which is fine for most situations. However, when the ambient lighting is inconsistent or tricky, the experience and end-result may not be so ideal.

Here are some delicious examples of proper use of white balance:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/FriedWhiteCarrotCake-Fine.jpg
Fried white carrot cake - Fine white balance


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/FriedWhiteCarrotCake-Shade.jpg
Fried white carrot cake - Shade white balance


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/FriedWhiteCarrotCake-AWB.jpg
Fried white carrot cake - Auto white balance
[photos: KopiOKaya]

[CONT]

[KopiOkaya]

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/FriedBlackCarrotCake-Fine.jpg
Fried black carrot cake - Fine white balance


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/FriedBlackCarrotCake-Shade.jpg
Fried black carrot cake - Shade white balance (image blur due to handshake)


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/zonevifreak/FriedBlackCarrotCake-AWB.jpg
Fried black carrot cake - Auto white balance (image blur due to handshake)
[photos: KopiOkaya]

Camera: FinePix F31fd
ISO: 1,600
Dynamic range: NA
Program: Shutter priority
Shutter speed: 1/40 sec
Aperture: F4.5 - 7.1 (depending on image)
Exposure Compensation: 0 EV
Metering mode: Pattern
Focal length: 8mm
Ambient lights: Mixture of fluorescent lamps and high-pressure discharge lamps

Fried carrot cake from Guan Kee Fried Carrot Cake at Albert Centre Food Centre and Market.
_____________________

I love it when I say this - "a picture tells a thousand words". This saves me time from keyboarding my thoughts and trying to describe to you what color or colors the test actually looks. But there you have it... The verdict is out and obvious!

Now I have showed you how your photo or, in this case, how your food may look if you set the white balance incorrectly, it's time for you to take out your owner's manual and start reading the section on white balance.

For Fujifilm FinePix users, before you press the shutter, go to MENU > WHITE BALANCE and scroll down the various white balance settings to select one that is most suitable or deemed accurate for the scene (or food).

OT: By the way, which type and white balance setting of 'Chai Tow Kueh' do you prefer? For me, I like the white variety in Shade white balance. :)