Getting frustrated trying to correct White Balance

[fishypets]

O.K. so I have read a ton on custom white balance and can't seem to get it right. My lighting is 2X400W 12K reeflux and 160W of T5 actinic. Camera is a Rebel XT. I would really like some help so and TIA.

 

[astrogazer]

Anything over 10K I don't think you're going to get the camera to adjust for it. I've heard of some placing a white coffee filter over the lens while pointed at your tank while doing a manual white balance, and having some success with it. I like to do a lot of close work, I often use strobes to offset and balance out the color tem.

All that being said, photoshop can balance out just about anything you can throw at it. Provided you have a good dynamic range in your exposure.

 

[fishypets]

Tanks astrogazer. When I was using 10K i didn't have this problem. I don't have photoshop so I am hoping to get this corrected with out any additional expense. Anyone else?

 

[astrogazer]

PS Elements will allow for color correction, you can by the older version for <$50 online.

 

[gregr]

If you're willing to give RAW mode a try you will find that it is the answer to your woes. Adds another step to the computer side of things but it's worth it.
If you're not willing... can you describe how you've gone about your manual [custom] white balancing so far? Maybe we can figure out how to improve the process for you.

 

[fishypets]

Greg,

I take a coffee filter and tape it to the glass of the tank. I then take a picture of the filter making sure it fills the lens and somewhat underexpose the picture. I then go to the custom white balance setting in my camera and select the picture of the filter. I may be missing a step here but that seemed to work before with old lighting.

 

[gregr]

You might want to try overexposing the picture so the white is whiter. Or you could try putting something white actually inside the tank so the halides are lighting it completely- I use a lid from a jar of kalkwasser. You may need to overexpose that a bit too.

 

[fishypets]

Thanks Greg, I will try that tonight and post results.

 

[Troy182]

you could just try using "the gimp" It is a free photo editing software and though I am still trying to get the hang of it looks like it is capable of what you need it is available for download at
http://www.gimp.org/ Plus the price is right.

 

[fishypets]

Thanks for all the replys guys and gals. Greg's worked the best for me and here is a new pic for show....What do you think??

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

very nice texass

 

[gregr]

WOW!!! That tank is amazing- simply amazing.
Now that I've got my jaw back in place... the colors look excellent. No complaint other than I wish my tank looked like that

 

[fishypets]

Thanks Greg. I just wish I had the camera skills that you have. Have you won any awards with your photos?

 

[gregr]

Thanks
I don't enter contests- over time I've realized that my taste differs greatly from others. So what I think is my best shot others will yawn at... Regardless- I just shoot what I like to shoot and if others like it then great, and if not that's ok too.

 

[astrogazer]

He does nice work, doesn't he ...?

 

[fishypets]

Yes he does......But then again so do you!

 

[astrogazer]

Well thank you very much fishy ...