C-700 Brochure

9
SEKONIC
Photographers and Cinematographers have frequently used color temperature adjustments to convey a “warmer”
or “cooler” tone to their images. In many instances moving away from what is the “accurate” color temperature can
generate stylized results. To make an image look more naturally illuminated, (or warmer afternoon lighting) lowering
the color temperature below 3400K will yield the desired eect. For more commercial or industrial images, color
temperature can be raised above 5000K to create a more articial illumination, (or cooler tone) to convey a more
commercial studio look with the appearance of increased contrast. However, some colors and tones within the scene
may not render correctly and details in the highlights and shadows could be lost or blocked in both cases.
How does color temperature adjustment improve my images?
Correcting multiple light sources
with dierent color temperatures
When there are multiple light sources in your image
(for example articial and natural light) they will also be
multiple color temperatures altering areas of the image. To
compensate and balance the color temperature of these light
sources, it’s necessary to place LB (Light Balancing) gels in
front of them, so that they balance or evenly matches the
primary (dominate) light source. You can also use specic
colors to change indoor or incandescent lights to have a
color temperature similar to daylight or daylight to indoor,
incandescent to uorescent or whichever scenario ts your
needs. It is important that individual light sources should be
measured as they will be used when you measure the color
temperature of them. In the case of any articial lighting, (such
as ash, HMI or orescent studio lighting) it is critical that any
light shaping tools (such as umbrellas, soft boxes or bounce
cards) intended for use in the nal image be measuring on
the light source.
SECTION
EDUCATIONAL
As explained earlier, the color temperature of a light source is based on how it compares to a heated object such as a
lament from a light bulb (black body radiator). As this object heats up at some point it will get hot enough to begin to
glow. As it gets hotter, its glowing color will change, moving from deep reds up to super-hot white. Light sources that
glow in this manner are considered as “incandescent radiators”, and they have a continuous spectrum of light. This
means that they radiate light energy at
all wavelengths of their spectrum. Light
sources that are not “incandescent
radiators” don’t react in the same way as
they emit energy in dierent ways and from
dierent power sources. All light sources
have varying color temperatures and are
often within a projected range that can be
classied as closer to warmer (Tungsten
balanced), or cooler, (daylight balanced)
temperature. However, they may not
render color accurately or at all throughout
the spectrum even though they have same
color temperature.
Are all light sources the same color temperature?
A: The image was captured at
6000K to match the outside
window light. As a result, the
shadow at the right side of
subject has an orange cast.
B: The image was captured
at 2800K to match the indoor
tungsten light. As a result,
shadow at the right side of
subject has a bluish cast.
C: This image was captured
at 6000K to match the outside
window light. Indoor tungsten
light was balanced by using
light balancing lter to match
the outdoor lighting. As a
result, the subject has a neutral
cast. All colors are reproduced
correctly.