Photography Tips: Custom White Balance for ND Filter

Set a custom white balance because Neutral density filters leave colour casts on your images. What that colour cast is depends on your neutral density filter because they’re all different. I use a Lee Big Stopper, which adds blue to everything.

In this video I'll show you how to find the correct custom white balance for your filter...

Mike Browne

[WillNewcomb]

I'm going through videos on this subject and yours was the simplest and most useful so far! Thanks.

[baz]

I took up photography only a couple of mths ago and know less than nothing. I stumbled on your page today and you are now my "Yoda" of photography. Loving your work Mike and your explanation of how to achieve results is simple enough even for a complete rookie like me to understand.

[tonyturner]

Love your videos, Mike, but sorry to say that I did not think that this was one of your best because you didn't mention about either covering the viewfinder or using either the self timer or a remote shutter release cable : two important techniques for newbie photographers. Having said that, looking forward to your next video. Thank you.

[Argyll]

My (German) 10 stop ND filter has a distinct (very distinct) brownish colour cast. I use a grey card as a target in a test shot, as you've done in this video, and the technique works really well.

[dror]

love your videos !!!
really the best on the net tutorials
keep up the good work Mike, looking forward to participate in one of your workshops, just came back from Iceland after 10 days and watched your videos and workshops there.

[jamesk]

Mike, LEE offers a handy app to calculate time, also allows you to select between 6-10-15 stops depending on the filter you've selected .

[uptownphotography]

Nice video Mike....Like the little Westie that runs by too...He rocks even without the ND Filter...

[benwelles]

Thanks again Mike! I usually just hold a white card in front on the lens and tell the camera that this is white, like you said. Two clicks on the computer and you're golden. My camera's auto WB typically does a good job as well. I think I'm gonna go out this afternoon and try some of this stuff out again, very motivating.

[magicdave]

I like using a big stopper for seaside landscapes to smooth out the waves and give then a silky look, or waterfalls.

[mazennabulsi]

or custom white balance using grey card as a reference image ? would be good as well ...I guess ... you are a Photography School Mike. Never missed your informative beautiful videos.

[mixiepalms]

loved this little park, woodside gardens. great video mike. Missing lymington

[skakdosmer]

The way I normally set the white balance will work with practically all newer cameras - which the Kelvin method won't. Because most DSLRs simply don't have that option! For instance in the current Canon line-up only models from the 80D and up can do it.
Just before I start shooting, I take a picture of a grey card (or simply of a sheet of white paper). It's important that the card fills the entire frame, and it's easier to get it right with the autofocus turned off. (Because focus hunting is avoided, and the card doesn't have to be in focus). Then I use that picture to set a custom white balance. (Read the manual!!) And I then remember to also select Custom White Balance in the menu! (Otherwise it won't work) I turn the auto focus back on - and I'm ready to shoot.
And after I finish I try to remember setting the camera back to Auto White Balance to avoid ruining my next photo session.

[stephenquinn]

Another heart video mike, if given the opportunity try the hitech firecrest filters .

[donbigger]

learning to set a custom WB, a gray card and a flash meter have all made life easier for me while behind the lens

[Polum]

Thanks Mike for this explanation of why as a seasoned photographer but a total Newbie with ND filters, i came back with colourless images. I had not factored the simple act of adjusting my White balance whilst using the Nd filter. Sadly I should have sorted this out before I went out, but hey, i got your video now and in no nonsense easy to understand language. So now I will sort my WB out before I take the shot!

any advice on how to get rid of the milky haze that plagues me??

[BertieFett]

Great video Mike. I've bought an ND filter but didn't use it much as it made everything blue, now I know why! If you wanted to do more in camera rather than at a PC would setting the white balance with the grey card directly work rather than doing this post processing? Thanks

[markharris]

Hi Mike, Cokin are claiming their new Nuances ND filters have no cast, I've just received my 10 stop today but not been fit enough to go out and test it yet. Thankfully those that make camera equipment and accessories never ever over exaggerate the efficiency of their products. One thing I've noticed with my cameras is that either sensor size, or lens make a massive difference to my colour cast. If I use my Tamron 24-70 on my 5DIII Cokin filters give a very strong magenta cast, but the same filters using my Sigma 18-35 on my 7DII and there is very little cast at all. This is with, as close as possible with mathematical anomalies not taken into consideration, the cameras both having the same settings.

[Termidryna]

Hi Mike, thanks for all your lessons. I got a question of ND filters - how do you think are they useful in night street and architecture photography? I mean for better light effects. Thanks in advance.

[wahabdilawar]

Thank you so much for your time and effort. I have a question. How do you deal with those lines on the filter?

[koolkutz]

Good advice Mike. I have been experimenting with a variable ND filter and sure enough it exhibits a colour cast (mostly magenta) particularly when longer exposures are used (approx. 1 second or longer). I will try the custom & Kelvin WB adjustment and see if that helps as I had it on 'Daylight'. Would it help by using an infrared cut filter too alongside the variable ND for long exposures? (I read an article about it somewhere on the web). I did chuckle when the dog came through your video plus the scooter Kid! Glad it's not just me that gets interruptions when I am trying to film! Keep up the good work :-)