Color Temperature Reference

Knowledge Base

How to Use the Color Temperature Reference

The Color Temperature Reference tool shows how different light sources, from candlelight to daylight to tungsten studio lights, appear on the Kelvin scale. Use this when white-balancing your camera or adjusting color temperature in post-production.

Understanding Kelvin Temperature

Kelvin (K) measures light color. Lower values are warmer (orange/red), higher values are cooler (blue). Human eyes auto-correct for different light temperatures, but cameras need explicit white balance settings or manual correction in post.

Common Light Sources

• Tungsten (3200K): Studio lights, older light bulbs. Very warm, orange-yellow cast.
• Daylight (5500K): Midday sun, overcast skies. Neutral reference point for most work.
• Shade (7500K+): Open shade or north light. Appears cool/blue to human eyes.
• Mixed Lighting: Combining tungsten and daylight creates color temperature challenges (some sources at 3200K, others at 5500K).

White Balancing Your Camera

Set your camera's white balance to match your primary light source. Or shoot in Log/RAW and correct in post-production using a color card or the reference tool.

FAQ

Q: Should I shoot in Kelvin or white balance presets?
A: Presets (Daylight, Tungsten, Shade) are usually accurate enough. Manual Kelvin mode gives fine control but requires testing.

Q: How do I handle mixed tungsten and daylight?
A: Prefer one source and use gels or lights to match. If mixing, aim for 4500K compromise and fix in post-production.