Sony PDX10 Workshop Handbook page 27

APPENDIX A (cont)
Q- Should I white balance before every shot?
A- Not really. But, for example - If all your shots are outdoors then one white balance would probably
do, unless the lighting situation changes. But, if you shoot some stuff indoors then go outdoors -
you'll need to do a WB for each location.
Q- How much does brightness affect WB?
A- Brightness doesn't effect WB that much. Although shade and full sun do have different color
temperatures (shade is bluer).
DIFFICULT LIGHTING SITUATIONS
SUN LIGHT
• Remember - you have no control over the sun (and clouds) - sun light levels can change dramatically
- keep your finger on the exposure dial and be ready to change the setting!
• Sun light can be soft (when it is cloudy overhead) or hard (under direct sun).
• Soft light can reduce wrinkles! but it will make shots look flat and boring.
• Hard light can give harsh (unflattering) shadows on peoples faces - but all photographers agree that
you will probably take your best shots when you have some shadow to play around with.
MIXED LIGHT
• When you work in an area lit with more than one source of light e.g. a room lit with light bulbs and
with daylight coming through a window - you need to give the situation some thought when white
balancing.
• Always do a manual white balance when working in mixed light or your pictures could end up with a
strange color cast, which you won't find out about until it is too late. Take a white card and position it
so that it is lit with the same mix of light that your subject will be lit by.
• Carry a few pieces of half-blue gel. You can place this over tungsten light in order to convert it to
daylight. Now you don't have mixed light anymore.
LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS
The camera is capable of producing pictures in very low light conditions. To be able to do this the pic-
ture signal is electronically boosted, which results in noisy, grainy, pictures. To prevent this loss in pic-
ture quality you need to find some way of increasing the light hitting your subject.
• Ask yourself is it essential to do an interview indoors or can it be done outside in daylight?
• Look carefully at the location, is it gloomy and under lit? Ask if there is a better lit room
• Sit your subject near to available light sources.
• Don't be afraid to rearrange furniture, standard lamps and table lamps to ensure your subject is lit.
Angle poise lamps can be particularly useful.
• Sit your subject beside or facing a window to use the natural light coming into the room.
• NEVER sit your subject with their back to a window. If you do, your subject will be in silhouette
There is also a BACKLIGHT button that will adjust exposure to help in these situations, but it is best
to avoid them from the start.
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 27