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First DP3Merrill and DP2x shots

Started Feb 3, 2014 | Photos thread
dmaclau Veteran Member • Posts: 3,053
become a white balance fanatic
1

Images captured by a camera need to be processed and interpreted.  The only way I can do that is to include a reference point in the image.  40 years of B&W film photography I almost never left home without a gray card.  It gave me a reference point in printing.  Turns out that digital is not all that different, just easier.

With digital and the adjustment capabilities of a RAW file I quickly discovered that if I wanted a true representation I needed perfect memory of the colors, which I don't have.  I carry an 18% gray lens cloth.  This gives me a reference point when I process (interpret) what the camera gave me.  I also check my WB often.  This isn't perfect but works for me in most cases.  If you photograph other art work you might try to include a color few known color samples which you can check later against the finished image.

Understand that this isn't a fix for photographing and printing colors perfectly.  Color management is an expensive and complex process / time and money.  My gray card method gets me close.  Also, this method won't work if your intention is to capture the effects of a unique light.  The occasional golden glow that covers everything at sunset for instance, or a subject bathed in a colored light.  The gray card method will attempt to change the light source to white.

 dmaclau's gear list:dmaclau's gear list
Fujifilm FinePix X100 Fujifilm X70 Fujifilm X-Pro2 Fujifilm XF 18mm F2 R Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R +4 more
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