Photo Editing 101: How to Use Grey Cards and White Balancing for Accurate Color

Kicking off photo editing or snapping product shots? **Nailing the perfect colour balance** can feel tricky. But, no stress! Simple hacks exist to make it easy. A clever tip is grabbing a grey card.

A grey card is simply a piece of neutral grey material that you can hold up in front of your subject matter when taking a photo. This gives your camera a reference point for what “middle grey” should look like, and ensures that your photo’s white balance is accurate.

In this guide, we will cover how to use a grey card for accurate color in your photos. We’ll also discuss how to white balance your photos manually, in case you don’t have a grey card handy. So let’s get started!

In this Guide:

• What is White Balancing?
  
• What is a Grey Card in Photo Editing?
  • How to Use a Grey Card in Photo Editing
  • What Size Grey Card is the Best?
  • When Should You Use a Grey Card?
  • Why Does the Grey Card Work?
• Should I Use a Grey Card or my Camera’s White Balance Presets?
• eCommerce Product Image Editing Services By Pixel By Hand

What is White Balancing?

In technical terms, white balancing refers to the process of adjusting the colors in an image so that they appear more natural. It is a technique used to make sure that the colors in your photo look accurate whether or not you have a grey card on hand. This is important because it can help you prevent colors from appearing either too warm or too cool.

White balancing is important for ensuring that the colors are correct in your product images. You want to match the actual colors of the products as closely as possible since most customers would have to rely on your product images to make a purchasing decision.

There are two main ways to white balance your images: in-camera and post-processing.

In-camera white balancing is when you use the camera’s built-in white balance tool to adjust the colors in an image. This is usually done by taking a photo of a grey card and then using the camera’s white balance tool to set the color balance.

In post-processing, you can manually adjust the colors in an image using photo editing software. This is usually done by working with the temperature and tint sliders until the colors look more natural.
While in-camera white balancing is convenient, it is not always accurate. This is because different cameras have different white balance settings, which can cause colors to appear either too warm or too cool.
Post-processing gives you more control over the final look of your photo, and it is generally more accurate than in-camera white balancing. However, it does require a bit more time and effort.

What is White Balancing?

In technical terms, white balancing refers to the process of adjusting the colors in an image so that they appear more natural. It is a technique used to make sure that the colors in your photo look accurate whether or not you have a grey card on hand. This is important because it can help you prevent colors from appearing either too warm or too cool.
White balancing is important for ensuring that the colors are correct in your product images. You want to match the actual colors of the products as closely as possible since most customers would have to rely on your product images to make a purchasing decision.

There are two main ways to white balance your images: in-camera and post-processing.
In-camera white balancing is when you use the camera’s built-in white balance tool to adjust the colors in an image. This is usually done by taking a photo of a grey card and then using the camera’s white balance tool to set the color balance.

In post-processing, you can manually adjust the colors in an image using photo editing software. This is usually done by working with the temperature and tint sliders until the colors look more natural.
While in-camera white balancing is convenient, it is not always accurate. This is because different cameras have different white balance settings, which can cause colors to appear either too warm or too cool.
Post-processing gives you more control over the final look of your photo, and it is generally more accurate than in-camera white balancing. However, it does require a bit more time and effort.

What is a Grey Card in Photo Editing?

In technical terms, a grey card is a tool that can be used to calibrate the white balance of a digital image. It’s a card that you hold in front of your subject when shooting, which tells your camera what “middle grey” should look like.
This ensures that the white balance of your photo is accurate, and prevents colors from appearing either too warm or too cool. As a result, your photos will have accurate colors that more closely match what you saw when you took the photo.

When used in product photography, grey cards are often used to create a consistent color balance across a series of photos. This is especially important when taking photos of products that come in different colors, such as clothing or cosmetics.

If you’re shooting, let’s say, like clothing, grey cards can be used to make sure that the colors in each photo are accurate. This is important because it makes it easier for customers to see what the product actually looks like, and prevents them from being confused by different color casts in each photo.

Grey cards are also helpful when shooting shoes and other footwear. Because they are often made of different materials, shoes can reflect light in different ways and produce different color casts. By using a grey card, you can make sure that the colors are what the photographer sees in your images, no matter what kind of shoe you’re shooting.

How to Use a Grey Card in Photo Editing

Using a grey card is relatively simple. First, you need to take a photo of your subject matter with the grey card included in the frame. You can place the grey card in front of your subject, or hold it in your hand.

Once you have taken the photo, open it in your image editing software of choice. In most cases, you will want to use Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Then, go to the “White Balance” tool and click on the grey card in the photo. This will tell the software what “middle grey” should look like, and adjust the white balance of the photo accordingly.

Let’s say you’re shooting a series of photos of different colored shirts. To make sure that the colors are accurate, using a grey card can be helpful. Simply take a photo of each shirt with the grey card included in the frame and run it through your photo editing software.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a grey card on hand. You may still manually white balance your product images. To do so, find a neutral grey thing in your photo and use it to set the white balance.

If you’re shooting in RAW, you can also use the camera’s built-in white balance tool. However, it is worth noting that it’s not as accurate as using a grey card as it can be easily fooled by other colors in the frame.

What Size Grey Card is the Best?

The size of the grey card is not too important, as long as it is big enough to be seen in the photo. If you’re shooting a small product, like a piece of jewelry, you can use a small grey card.
If you’re shooting a larger product, like a piece of furniture, you may want to use a larger grey card. Just make sure that the grey card is big enough to be seen in the photo, and you’ll be all set.

When Should You Use a Grey Card?

There are two main situations when you should use a grey card: when shooting in difficult lighting conditions, and when shooting a series of photos that need to match in color.

If you’re shooting in difficult lighting conditions, like in direct sunlight, using a grey card can help you get accurate colors. This is because direct sunlight can cause colors to appear either too warm or too cool.

If you’re shooting a series of photos that need to match in color, like product photos for a website, using a grey card can help you create a consistent color balance across all of the photos.

Using a grey card is a simple way to get accurate colors in your photos. By taking a photo with the grey card included, you can white balance your image in post-processing and get colors that match what you saw when you took the photo.

So next time you’re shooting in difficult lighting conditions or editing a series of photos, make sure to use a grey card!

Why Does the Grey Card Work?

The grey card works because it provides a reference point for the camera’s white balance. By taking a photo with the grey card included, the camera can see what “middle grey” looks like.
This information is then used to adjust the white balance of the image, which prevents colors from appearing either too warm or too cool. As a result, your photos will have accurate colors that more closely match what you saw when you took the photo.

Should I Use a Grey Card or my Camera’s White Balance Presets?

Most digital cameras have white balance presets that you can use to quickly adjust the color of your photos. While these presets can be helpful, they are not as accurate as using a grey card.

This is because each preset is designed to produce a certain color cast. For example, the “sunny” white balance preset will add a bit of warmth to your photo, while the “shade” preset will add a bit of coolness.

If you want accurate colors in your photos, it’s best to use a grey card and white balance your image manually. This may take a bit more time, but it’s worth it for the extra accuracy.

eCommerce Product Image Editing Services By Pixel By Hand

Color correction is important for two reasons. First, accurate colors can make your photos look more realistic and true-to-life. Second, consistent colors across all of your photos can give your brand a professional look.

When it comes to running an online store, product photos are one of the most important elements of your website. Customers want to see what they’re buying, and accurate colors are essential for giving them a realistic idea of what the product looks like.

If your product photos have inaccurate colors, customers may be disappointed when they receive their purchase. This can lead to returns and negative reviews, which can hurt your business.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your product photos have accurate colors. And if you’re not sure how to do this, we can help!

At Pixel by Hand, we offer color correction and image editing services for e-commerce stores that can help you get the perfect colors for your product photos. We’ll work with you to understand your vision for the photo, and we’ll make sure that the colors in the final image match your expectations.

We provide a wide range of image editing services, from simple color correction to complex image retouching. Contact us today to learn more about our services! You can use our chatbox below or fill out the form here.