Which white balance gives the most 'true' color?

[TMR Design]

I am just beginning to explore portraits and now that there are human faces instead of just objects or skies and water I find that the color is a bit off. I know a lot has to do with the lighting and color temperature, which I only partially understand but I would like to know what is best for shooting people and getting more accurate color.

Is this a combination of the lights used and the white balance? I know I should be using flash or a strobe but for now I am using Halogen lights behind a diffuser panel and only have one light source at the moment.

My camera is an A620 and so far I find that the Tungsten setting seems to be the best. Should I be using a custom white balance? If I am moving the lights and making adjustments in between shots or sessions do I need to set the custom white balance each time I shoot or does creating a custom setting for the halogen lights once cover me for furture shots with the same lights?

On camera it is difficult to judge color or accuracy of color.

[stupot]

it is difficult to judge colour on camera. try setting a custom white balance, just get a sheet of white paper and put it where your subject is, set up your lights how you will for the shot, then take a photo so the white paper fills your frame (make sure your shadows not on the paper!) then set your camera to custom white balance and choose the shot you just took.

[stupot]

sorry... just realised you had an a620... i dont know how custom white balances work on those, hope its the same way:)

[Curtis N]

Should I be using a custom white balance?Yes.If I am moving the lights and making adjustments in between shots or sessions do I need to set the custom white balance each time I shoot or does creating a custom setting for the halogen lights once cover me for furture shots with the same lights?You'll want a new custom white balance if/when the light source changes. The same lights will generally maintain the same color temp unless they have a dimmer. The use of umbrellas, reflectors and such can also change the color temp. But simply moving the lights around shouldn't change things, unless you have two different lights with different color temps.

[TMR Design]

I do know how to set the white balance on this camera. It's a simple thing. I was more concerned with when to set it and if it needs to be set every time a change is made. Is the idea that you get a custom white balance for every particular setup as opposed to white balance that will work for any indoor shot using the lights I have.