Re: Color temperature

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Greg W. extends the discussion of color temp:
>
>> Here's a related question: should one ideally be matching the color
>> temp. of the viewing light to the color. temp of the taking light, OR
>> is the original scene more naturally reproduced with viewing light of
> >a particular, fixed color temp., and if so, what temp. is ideal?

For practical reasons, the color temperature of the viewing light should be
fixed.  Once the eye is adapted to the color of the light source, all
bright light sources will appear white.  It is only by comparing sources
that we become aware of differences.  For example, comparing the Kodaslide
II or Realist green button (both working on AC bulbs) with my halogenized
Realist red button, I can tell that the AC bulb gives an orange (warm)
light compared to the halogen.  In some cases, I prefer this warm light,
BUT I think I should have used a warming filter when recording the scene in
the first place.

DrT's advice:  Do not try to adjust the color of the viewer's light to the
scene.  Instead, use color-correction filters to record the scene with the
proper light temperature.

Paul Talbot writes:

>McKay predicted that in the not-too-distant
>future, color temperature meters would be as ubiquitous as light
>meters.  (Guess his crystal ball wasn't working very well that day.)

The price of color temperature meters and also (especially! - check the
Minolta color meter) color meters is very high and few people see the
advantage in owing one.  (BTW, I have a Gossen Temperature Color meter for
sale)  With a few rules of thumb, one can tell what correction is required
and when.  Unlike exposure, exact control of the color temperature is a bit
of an overkill.  Being in the ball park is more important than knowing the
exact color temperature.

>I was quite surprised to read this discussion, as I have rarely,
>if ever, encountered a photographer who pays attention to color
>correction, and had never read anything quite like it before.

I discussed this sometime ago when I took tabletops outside.  They turned
out blue because of the blue sky.  Those who do tabletops or copying work
are aware of color temperature problems.

>It was on my "to do" list to post a query asking why this topic
>is rarely discussed today.  Are today's films more forgiving
>of color temperature differences?  (We all know photos taken
>with daylight film under tungsten light do not usually look
>appealing, but that is a fairly extreme case.)

Some people find these photos appealing and recommend not using a flash
indoors.  The issue is more subjective than "correct exposure".  That must
be one reason that color temperature is not considered a big issue.  It is
an issue but not a very important one.

George Themelis

PS. A tip for the Realist photographer:  Those "worthless" flash
color-correction orange Realist filters make nice warming filters.  They
can give Paul's golden glow in daylight pictures.

PSS.  A temperature color meter will measure the temperature of the light. 
There are only two colors involved in adjusting this temperature: Orange
and blue.  The temperature color meter will not measure green or red or
other colors.  It will not help with fluorescent lights.


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