I was always confused on this issue.
When I first started I was always confused by this question: “Can I use an 18% gray card instead of a white card for my white balance. They call it white balance and not gray balance so I always felt like I should use white.
But over time since I was using the gray side for proper exposure I started using it for white balance as well and getting good results.
In the video I show a third method as well.
I you want to get a similar card as mine you can find prices for an 18% gray and white card.
Congratulations on 1 year doing this web site. I keep coming back because it is so different then all the other blogs out their. Watching you ask questions and helping us all learn is so cool. Keep up the great work and look forward to seeing another year of your great videos.
Hi,
Love the website.
I too am a T2i user and your website has been super helpful for me.
I shot this on my T2i and I entered a contest for commercials…
http://imon.tc/1ys0q
What do you think?
ps: please vote!
As for color….i purchased a grey card, color chart and then rely a lot on the presets to help me paint. I’ll choose a preset I like for the foundation then supplement with my lights. (I have the LED panels from china, worth getting.)
Happy b-day!!!
keep up the good work.
Hi,
Keep up the great work and keep posting!
I got my 550D around the time you got your US equivalent, I’ve been following your posts ever since.
Cheers,
Adrian
Finland
Happy anniversary and congratulations from Germany. Like the way you’re doing your videos. Informative, charming and with a lot of joy.
Thanks.
Alex
Happy anniversary and congratulations from the Netherlands a big fan of your site.
Congrats Dave! Your blog is really helpful.
Great videos dave, keep ‘em coming!
Happy 1st Year!! I’m too on a T2i with ML. I enjoy your enthusiasm in your videos. We are all with you and hope that this site continues to be information and fun! We will never stop learning how to use our DSLR! There’s always something new!
Congratulations from Sanford, FL
Frank
@Frank do you know Eric Franks I think he lives in your town.
Congrats Dave, didn’t know I discovered you so early in your site’s life, I’ve been reading it for over six months tho’ I just registered recently. You are a treasure to many of us, thanks once again.
Big thank you, appreciate your sharing!
Not sure on the technical stuff but white or gray is not that much different to the camera, it seems to white balance as good on both but the 18% grey card is probably better for adjusting exposures so it’s a bit more flexible.
Yes! If you think about it, grey is simply pure white just with the brightness turned down. I learned from my cinematography professor to always white balance with a grey card. For one thing, you then only need one card, because you can balance with it and set exposure. But also, with a white card, you never really know if it’s perfectly white or if it has a bit of a bias. With grey, you know you’re getting equal amounts red, green and blue light, which is exactly the goal of white balancing.
Thanks for all of your videos. I’m also T2i shooter, and I’ve learned a ton from your site. Please keep going for another year and more.
Hi, I made a printable gray card to experiment.