Photography Color Temperature Charts Explained

One very common method to precisely calculate color temperature in digital photography is utilizing a temperature range measured in Kelvin. Lighting in photography can differ in 'color temperature' ranging from about 2000 degrees Kelvin (warm) to about 9500 Kelvin (cool). These names are based on how hot objects, similar to electric powered ovens, become redder the hotter they are.

Sadly, this photography principles can be quite confusing. 'Cool' lighting, near the blue end of the spectrum, is given a higher degrees Kelvin measurement; while 'warm' lighting, more reddish, is given a lower temperature on the Kelvin scale.

Digital Camera White Balance
This is just what the white balance control on the digital camera was designed to make up for. You can either let it rest set to 'automatic' and hope for the best or pick a manual setting preset matching the situation. Many of the better digital cameras measure exact white balance values in degrees Kelvin, but most use named presets akin to specific conditions, like Daylight, Tungsten or Shade.

To measure a precise color temperature reading for photography lighting purposes, a professional color temperature meter is the better way to go. But as being a quick summary of photography basics, below is a quick color temperature chart showing situations you could possibly encounter with basic color photography.

Color Temperature Chart
Sunrise/sunset 2400k
The lighting outdoors changes rapidly during sunset and dawn. Once the sun is upon the horizon, the color temperature might be as little as 2400K. This drastic lighting offers a sunset its characteristic yellow, orange, and red hues.

Domestic tungsten 3200k
Tungsten lighting popular indoors features a strong yellow or orange tint. Your color temperature meter will show the spectrum stronger in the longer, red, wavelengths. It could be even less than 3200K. The precise value will depend on the range of light bulb.

Photo tungsten 3400k
Tungsten lights which might be suitable for use in photography are cooler, more neutral, than ordinary tungsten lighting, but still noticeably warmer than outdoor daylight. Tungsten lighting produces an unpleasant yellow effect unless you adjust your white balance.

Early morning/evening sun 4000k
The temperature of lighting conditions outside rises gradually throughout the morning and falls in the afternoon. Even with the sun has climbed well across the horizon, your color temperature chart can have can a reduced then conditions. This provides a really pleasant warm glow that is suitable for landscape photographers.

Noon sun/flash 5500k
Noon sunlight produces neutral colors, and contains the identical color temperature as some flash systems. Neutral light on this range isn't necessarily perfect for landscapes.

Cloudy/overcast 6000k
The diffuse light under an overcast sky's slightly 'cooler' and bluer than you'd get in direct sunlight. A fantastic lesson in photography basics is to to employ a warming filter over these lighting conditions, at least adjust the white balance in your digicam.

Shade in daylight 6500k
Along with temperature in deep shade will probably be quite cold. The essential auto white balance of all digital camera models will usually set out to fail at this time and provide excessively cold-looking images.

Early morning/evening sun 7500k
Here is the end in the color temperature chart. Open shade on a sunny day will give an extreme cold look. This is because the one lighting in the shade may be the blue sky. This effect can result in accustomed to create some stunning effects, however, you will often wish to use your color temperature meter and compensate by adjusting your camera's white balance.