Colour reproduction depends on the quality and type of light. An obvious example is the difference between daylight and indoor light, the latter provided by a tungsten bulb imparting a warm ambience to the surrounding scene. There is also a subtle difference between daylight illuminated by direct sunlight and that filtered through a heavy cloud. Normally our eyes adjust automatically to these differences in white balance and is known as colour temperature.

Within the menu of a digital camera is a facility to change the white balance manually, often with settings for sunny, cloudy and tungsten, amongst others. In all probability a camera will be set on Auto, the factory default and for many applications it will sort out any differences in white balance.

Occasionally it needs a bit of help and most noticeable when the image ends up with a colour cast. Left on Auto there are times, for example, when a shot taken on a cloudy day appears cold with a blue cast. This can be corrected by changing the white balance to cloudy which will warm up the cold tones. The photographer may experience other scenarios where white balance needs to be adjusted manually.

Note: It may not be possible to change the white balance if the camera mode dial is on Auto (not to be confused with the white balance auto setting). Change to Program, Manual, Shutter or Aperture Priority to access the menu.