Calibration and control are now synonymous words

linked to digital photography; colour balance and

exposure are both a part of this combination.

EzyBalanceFirstly an EzyBalance greycard is perfect if you are

looking to have a consistent 18% tone in an image to

take an accurate exposure meter reading using the

cameras own built in metering system.

Secondly the EzyBalance greycard is a perfect tool to

also use for colour balance whether in post production

in the likes of Photoshop or when setting a custom

colour balance on camera.

Setting a custom white balance on camera*To make use of this custom camera colour function

1 > Firstly take a photograph of the EzyBalance

reflector near to the subject you are

photographing, making sure that the EzyBalance

is being lit by the same lighting conditions, filling

the frame where possible.

2 > Next select the custom colour balance from the

camera menu, this will ask you for an image to

use as the custom balance. Select the image of the

EzyBalance and press OK.

3 > Finally select the custom colour balance icon on

the camera and your new colour is set.

Using A Grey CardLesson Ten

Make exposure and colour balance nightmares a thing of the past using a simpleaccessory like an EzyBalance grey card.

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Monthly Tips & Tutorials from Lastolite

Make exposure and colour simple by shooting an Ezybalance eachtime you change the lighting setup or location. There is even a waterproof version for when you are scuba diving.

Shoot Ezybalance Choose custom balance

Use a grey card to

1 > Correct colour

2 > Set colour

3 > Measure exposure

Key Points

You can also use the custom colour balancecreatively by lighting the EzyBalance with afalse colour. When you follow the sameprocedures some weird and wonderful thingscan happen.

Top Tip

Setting a custom white balance in post production.Whether you have shot your photographs as a RAW or

a Jpeg file you can use the white balance tool within

Photoshop's Adobe Camera RAW.

1 > Firstly select the photograph shot with the

EzyBalance greycard as well as all the images lit

under the similar lighting conditions.

2 > Now open all these files into ACR via Bridge.

3 > With all the images revealed in ACR select the

EzyBalance photograph, this should be now visible

in the main window.

4 > Now select all the other thumbnail images by

pressing the select all button.

5 > Select the white balance tool icon from the

header menu bar.

6 > Click on the EzyBalance. You have now set a

neutral 18% colour across all these images.

7 > If you want to add a slight warmth or coolness to

the images you can use the temperature and tint

sliders, but to do this you must be working on a

calibrated monitor for accurate results.

Setting exposure using the EzyBalanceIf you are finding accurate exposure readings difficult

using the camera metering system and you can get

close to the subject, you can use an EzyBalance to take

a direct meter reading from, due to its 18% tonal

range. To use this metering technique:

1 > Select a centre weighted or spot-metering mode

on the camera.

2 > Fill as much of the frame with the EzyBalance as

possible.

3 > If you are using manual mode adjust your

aperture and / or shutter speed to gain the correct

exposure off the EzyBalance

or

3 > If you are using an auto exposure mode like AV or

TV you will need to point the camera at the

EzyBalance and then use the exposure lock facility

on the camera to fix the exposure setting.

* This procedure may differ on some cameras. Consult your usermanual for further details.

Lesson Ten

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Monthly Tips & Tutorials from Lastolite

Some scenes can make it very difficult for the on camera meteringsystem to give a perfect exposure.

Mark Cleghornwww.phototraining4u.com

All text and photography ÇMark Cleghorn 2009. All rights reserved.

As shot on camera Corrected using ACR white balance tool.