White Balance: Use it, it makes a big difference!

If you’re a photographer, retoucher or simply an image retoucher, you probably know what white balance is.
It’s how you correct the difference in light color, so that images are as natural or dramatic as you want them to be. This is why your indoor photos have a warm, yellowish tint. It’s also why natural light is one of the most effective tools for achieving a perfect, life-like detail in a portrait.

If you’re just beginning to experiment with images, here’s the best tip:
Our brains detect colors a certain way, cameras see them differently. White balance can change the impact and quality of your images. It just takes a bit of tinkering in Adobe Lightroom or your camera’s settings.

Want to see how how the White Balance setting on your camera can influence your photo? Digital Photography School posted a fascinating side by side study: the bluest image is at 3600K, the middle one at 7000K and the warmest at 14750.

What do you think? Do you use white balance adjustment in your work? We’d love to hear your pro-tip.