The right color temperature

I am thinking of shooting a few pictures of a pile of ice cubes and, since I shoot RAW, was wondering what the right color temperature is for white balance.

Don't want to melt them during PP.

Technical answer: it obviously depends what CT light you illuminate them with; daylight, flash, tungsten, etc., so set WB accordingly :)

More helpful answer: leave WB on Auto and fine tune in PP, remember to shoot a shot of the WhiBal card though, unless, being ice cubes, you just declare them white

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Originally Posted by Alis

I am thinking of shooting a few pictures of a pile of ice cubes and, since I shoot RAW, was wondering what the right color temperature is for white balance.

Don't want to melt them during PP.

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Short Answer: "Whatever looks good"

Long Answer: If you want, you can use a gray card in the shots and just use the WB eyedropper tool in ACRto adjust, but keep in mind that having a "technically accurate" WB isn't what always looks best (eg if you shot someone by candle light - and the image was "correctly" white-balanced the warm/yellowing colouring of the candles would be completely nulled - which just wouldn't look right).

I'd tend to go for a cool WB. The eye/brain naturally looks for blue to represent coolness.

Thanks, everyone, for the technical answers. But I was just joking. Could not resist not telling you! :) Will not be repeated!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alis

Thanks, everyone, for the technical answers. But I was just joking. Could not resist not telling you! :) Will not be repeated!

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I think we might have to put YOU on ice next. I for one do not have a sense of humour that I am aware of! :p

Here, here, Colin.

Alis, jokes are only funny when WE tell them - GOT IT!



(only kidding) ;):D

Doh!