There are as many white balance targets and calibrators out there as there are camera models, but one worth looking at is PhotoVision’s Digital Calibration Target. Available in four sizes—6, 14, 24 and 34 inches—the front of each target features three panels: black, 18% gray and white. It works by providing shadow, middle gray and highlight references by which to accurately set your camera’s custom white balance. Flip it over and the target doubles as a reflector (although the 6-inch version might not offer much, it could help in a pinch). All but the 6-inch are wrapped around collapsible frames like regular reflectors, and they all come with their own pouch for storage. A well-produced training DVD demonstrating how to use the target in multiple locations and light sources is included with each target.

Using the Digital Calibration Target is easier than many other white balance targets I’ve tried. There’s nothing to stick on the end of the lens and no pointing at the light source. First, your camera must be on manual mode (be sure your exposure is correct). Then, simply place the target in your scene with the white panel closest to the light source (to accurately meter highlights), fill as much of your frame with the target as possible, shoot, and then select that image as your reference shot in your camera’s custom white balance setting. Your histogram should have fairly defined spikes in the darks, mids and highlights.

ABOVE: Shooting digital calibration target to fit majority of frame. Inset: Histogram showing clearly defined darks, mids and highlights.

Here are the images shot before custom white balance using the target, and after.

LEFT Before: First image shot with camera’s auto white balance setting (4900K; straight from camera, no editing).
RIGHT After: Final image shot using custom white balance from target (5400K; straight from camera, no editing).

Depending on your camera and metering settings, you may not have to fill as much of the frame with the target as you’d expect. In my studio test I made sure my metering mode was center-weighted, which allowed me to get well-balanced results without filling my entire frame.

ABOVE As long as the metering was center-weighted, I was able to achieve a well defined histogram.

For my outdoor test I shot at dusk to ensure a white balance challenge.

ABOVE Before: First image shot with camera’s auto white balance setting (6250K; straight from camera, no editing).

Even in the warm glow of golden hour, the Digital Calibration Target nailed the white balance, even […]