How can adjusting white balance help correct mixed lighting in indoor portraits?

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How can adjusting white balance help correct mixed lighting in indoor portraits?

Asked on Oct 18, 2025

Answer

Adjusting white balance is crucial in correcting mixed lighting in indoor portraits, as it ensures that colors appear natural and consistent despite the presence of different light sources. By setting the white balance to match the dominant light source or using custom settings, you can neutralize color casts and achieve more accurate skin tones.

Example Concept: White balance adjustment compensates for the color temperature differences between various light sources, such as tungsten, fluorescent, and natural light. By setting a custom white balance or using presets like "Tungsten" or "Fluorescent," photographers can counteract unwanted color casts and maintain consistent color reproduction across the image.

Additional Comment:

Use a gray card to set a custom white balance in mixed lighting conditions for more precise results.
Shoot in RAW format to have greater flexibility in adjusting white balance during post-processing.
Experiment with different white balance presets to see which best neutralizes the color cast in your specific lighting setup.
Consider using gels on your lights to match the color temperature of different sources.

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