Setting Image Parameters

You can fine-tune the appearance of the images that you take in several different ways. For example, if you don’t want to choose a predefined white balance (see Chapter 3) or use white balance bracketing (see Chapter 4), you can set a custom white balance based on the illumination of the site where you’ll be taking photos, or choose a white balance based on color temperature. With the Creative Style options, you can set up customized saturation, contrast, and sharpness for various types of pictures. This section shows you how to use the available image parameters.

Customizing White Balance

Back in the film days, color films were standardized, or balanced, for a particular “color” of light. Digital cameras like the Sony SLT use a “white balance” that is, ideally, correctly matched to the color of light used to expose your photograph. The proper white balance is measured using a scale called color temperature. Color temperatures were assigned by heating a theoretical “black body radiator” and recording the spectrum of light it emitted at a given temperature in degrees Kelvin. So, daylight at noon has a color temperature in the 5,500 to 6,000 degree range. Indoor illumination is around 3,400 degrees. Hotter temperatures produce bluer images (think blue-white hot) while cooler temperatures produce redder images (think of a dull-red glowing ember). Because of human nature, though, bluer images are actually called “cool” (think wintry day) and redder images are called “warm” (think ruddy sunset), even though their color temperatures are reversed.