What is the definitive guide to setting the correct white balance by Paul Rogers?

Question

Paul Rogers

Creator

Question

Updated May 29, 20261 min read

white balancePaul Rogersvideographycorrect

Answer

From Paul Rogers

Paul Rogers · Accepted Answer

Hi there! So the “definitive guide” I share across my content is basically this simple, repeatable process:

Stop using Auto White Balance (AWB)
It constantly shifts as your scene changes, which kills color consistency and gives you weird skin tones.

Use a neutral white (or gray) reference
1. Grab a clean white sheet of paper or, even better, a proper gray card
2. Put it in the same light your subject is in
Fill the frame and set custom WB
1. Go to your camera’s Custom White Balance setting
2. Fill the frame with that paper/card
3. Hit “Set” or “OK” so the camera records that light’s color
Lock it in and don’t touch it
1. Stay on that custom WB for the whole shoot in that lighting
2. If the light changes (move indoors/outdoors, different bulbs), repeat the process

Bonus tips:

For mixed light (window + lamps), decide which light you want to “favor,” get your subject mostly in that light, then set WB.
If you’re shooting log or flat profiles, still set WB in-camera—don’t rely on fixing everything later.

No more blue/orange skin, no more guessing—just repeatable, clean color.

Do you want me to walk you through this for your specific camera model or phone setup?