Sports Photography 101 - white balance

[SciAggie]

Ok, this may seem like an elementary question but, this is a place to learn - right?

What is the preferred method for adjusting white balance in your sports shots? I'm referring to HS football now. I shoot Raw so it is not that difficult - I am just not sure how to arrive at the appropriate color temperature. I have realized that adjusting " by eye" is not the best way to do it.

The color temperature of lighting often changes during an evening football game. In the beginning it's sunlight, then a mix of sunlight and stadium, then just stadium lights - and even the color balance of those seems inconsistent across the playing field.

What do you guys do to handle it?

[arich]

My way probably isn't the best way but I custom set the kelvin degree to what I think looks best then I tweak if I begin to see a shift in the lighting throughout the game

[KdLaneJr]

Use AWB until the stadium lights take precedence, then either set a CWB or dial in an appropriate Kelvin temp. 4300-4500K is usually a good place to be.

[SciAggie]

So, you still use personal judgement? It seems that when I set WB for what looks right to me, it seems wrong to someone else.

[Bob_S]

Since you're shooting raw, just shoot a reference card every once in a while and you'll have several references for an accurate WB throughout the night.

In gyms, I just shoot a reference card and fix it in post. Can't remember the last time I actually set WB while shooting.

[mdurisseau]

I fix my WB issues in post....most of the time.

[arich]

I believe I have a good grasp on what the proper white balance is in most situations and since I have to transmit on a deadline most of the time I don't have the luxury of correcting in post. Get as much right in the camera as you can, saves time on the back end

[mdurisseau]

True, to a certain extent...for me, if I do it in post, I don't forget to change the camera back. I do it in levels, where I need to be, anyway, for preparing images for print.

[SciAggie]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate your inpput.

[LSCSN.com]

My camera very rarely leaves auto white balance. I think WB is a lot like cropping in that there is a a lot of room for personal taste especially if you are shooting for yourself.

If you are shooting for someone else best to know what "they like". :-)

[Tom]

I can't remember the last time I used AWB. I like them all to be very consistent and use custom. Most of mine are are set by eye, but I will sometimes bust out the grey card. I HATE the variations in AWB. Also why I rarely shoot on Av or Tv. I want them to be consistent across the board, for better or worse.

[iCe]

For night high school stadiums? Just say no to AWB. Dial it in. 4k-4.5k is "usually" right... and guess what... you'll still get some oddballs when you shoot a burst (if you're shooting in smaller school venues. The larger schools seem to use better lighting)