Nikon 990 - Manual (Page 49)

Advanced Photo
graph
y:
White
Balance
49
White Balance
The perceived color of an object is af-
fected by the color of the lighting under
which it is viewed. The human brain is
able to detect and compensate for such
changes in perceived color. As a result, a
white object will look white to humans whether viewed in
sunlight or under overcast skies, or indoors under incandes-
cent or fluorescent lighting. A digital camera must emulate the
human brain and adjust colors according to lighting so that
colors that appear white when viewed directly also appear white
in the final photograph. This adjustment is called “white bal-
ance,” and can be made using the WHITE BALANCE sub-menu
in the M-REC menu.
1
2
S
MENU O F F
WHITE BALANCE
Auto
White
hite Bal Preset et
Fine
Incandescent
Fluorescent
Cloudy
Speedlight
A A
SET SELECT
A
A
Setting
A
Auto
White Bal
Preset
Fine
Incandescent
Fluorescent
Cloudy
Speedlight
Description
White balance automatically adjusted to suit
lighting conditions. Best setting in most
situations.
White object used as reference point to set
white balance to suit unusual lighting condi-
tions
White balance set for direct sunlight
Use when taking photographs indoors under
incandescent light
Use when taking photographs indoors under
fluorescent light
Use when taking photographs under over-
cast skies
White balance set to match light produced
by flash
At settings other than A (auto) and (preset),
white balance can be “fine-tuned” by highlighting
the desired setting in the white-balance menu and
rotating the command dial. Adjustments can be
made in the range of +3 to –3 or, in the case of
(fluorescent), by selecting the type of bulb
from the following sub-menu:
FL1: W (default) FL2: N FL3: D
Raising white balance gives images a blue, “cold” cast; lowering white bal-
ance makes photos appear “warmer”—that is, slightly yellow or red. After
selecting the desired white-balance adjustment, press the multi selector
to the right to put your choice into effect.
Fine-tuning white balance settings
1
2
S
MENU O F F
WHITE BALANCE
Auto uto
White hite Bal Pres
Fine
Incandescent
Fluorescent
Cloudy
Speedlight
A
SELECT SET
+1
–1
0
A
A
At settings other than A (auto), the current white-
balance setting is indicated by an icon in the LCD
monitor.
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL NORMAL
[ 10 ]
The following white-balance settings are available: