Re: Daylight Kelvin temperature

[<dbirkey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Actually the Kelvin temperature of daylight, which in practical terms 
means how yellow or blue the light is, changes depending on time of day 
or position of sun, clouds etc..  If you take photos of a white 
buildings (or any other color for that matter) just after sunrise, at 
noon on a sunny day or on a cloudy day or at sunset, you will see 
several different colors of ranging from very warm (almost red) or 
slightly yellow to cool/slightly blue.  The paint didn't change, just 
the color temperature of the light. 

Remember your eye tends to compensate to this change in color where 
film records what it is sensitive to.  Certain films which have known 
color biases will tend to magnify the warmness or coldness of light as 
well.  If you want a really red sunset, use Kodachrome and underexpose 
it a tad.  Some of the Ektachromes produce some scary looking skin 
tones on a dreary day. 

The photo-industry standard for daylight or white light is 5500 degrees 
although some feel it is closer to 5700.  5500 is what your electronic 
flash will emit, better light tables or boxes will be at that 
temperature as well.  Your local minilab, (if it is a good one) will 
have 5500 florescents around the printing area (at least) to insure 
that the operators have a fair chance of getting the optimal color 
balance when inspecting your prints.  

Hope this helps,

Duane 


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