help trouble capturing color

[dunk373]

I have a canon t2i and have a hard time capturing true colors especially purple or blue under rb led's and actinics. I snap a pic of the sand, white pvc or bucket lid and set the white balance to that, I then adjust the wb all different ways and at best i get a slight glowing purple. the coral is tan fading into purple/blue with green tips and almost impossible to capture color.

One other thing what wb setting is needed when taking the picture to set the wb? Is it supposed to be on the auto mode?

 

[Misled]

Shoot in RAW, adjust the WB in post.

 

[dunk373]

i can adjust the wb on the camera after the shot is taken?

 

[Misled]

Not in the camera. On the computer. You can use the editing software that came with your camera.

 

[dunk373]

Ok now I have to learn that thanks I'll mess with it tonight. I did try it before and was having some trouble

 

[dunk373]

When you shoot in raw format would I set the wb to auto then adjust it on the computer? Or use the custom wb setting and adjust?

 

[Misled]

When shooting in raw, you don't have to worry about the wb setting.

 

[IslandCrow]

Yeah, just leave it in AWB, which will hopefully get you somewhat close to what you want. As Misled said, the white balance you set in your camera is basically insignificant. The only difference it will make is how it initially shows up in your editing software (assuming it defaults to the "as shot" setting), but you're going to be changing it anyway, so your starting point really doesn't matter.

It still doesn't hurt to take a picture of the sand or something else white in the tank. Your software should have an eyedropper tool that will allow you to select the white point. You can then use this white balance setting for your other photos. I've found, however, that the technically correct white balance setting is often not what you really want, especially if the light in your tank is on the blue side. Our brains have a habit of adjusting how we see things in relation to our surroundings, so shooting in raw is definitely the way to go.

 

[dunk373]

i did edit it on the computer program and yes the eye dropper was the only way to get it close although the back ground is off the coral is closer to what it really looks like although not exactly the same it is close.