How do I set my white balance?

[Hartness53]

What do I put it on for shooting bands in lowlight bar situations with typical colored stagelights? What settings does everyone use for this? Thanks Christian

This is what I got.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i207/Hartness53/48.jpg

[Woodja]

good question i'd like to learn this myself.

[bacchanal]

I generally use the same settings that I use for tungsten light, which is K WB set to about 2800 or so (or tungsten WB will do). Watch the RGB histogram (if you have one) and make sure that you aren't blowing the red channel. Shoot in RAW, and make adjustments in post if necessary. I think the general consensus is that it is best to try and reproduce the scene as it actually was, but it depends on the situation.

[narlus]

you can try to set a custom white balance by shooting a grey card under stage lighting and using that to set, but the stage lighting will likely not be constant.

i shoot RAW and tweak it there. just remember that the sensor will NOT necessarily reflect actual conditions. tungsten will get you close, but if you shoot a scene w/ that WB setting and then compare the jpg on the LCD to what you are seeing with your eyes, it'll likely be different.

[Hartness53]

Thanks for the replys, my friend (lead singer) thought they were neat the way they were. I just feel the red is a little to strong. I think next time I will just try a bunch of different things and see what I like.Thanks Christian

[DwightMcCann]

This has been discussed repeatedly ... and unfortunately, "It Depends!" Rene Damkot, our color balance guru usually suggests setting to tungsten and just going with it. I am very fortunate with the best lighting in the world for all my shooting and get to use AWB. But it is still necessary to get crisp, sharp images regardless of color balance!

[PhotosGuy]

This has been discussed repeatedly ... and unfortunately, "It Depends!" I used a white T-shirt here:
The Johnny Headband Band (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=372180) But it is still necessary to get crisp, sharp images regardless of color balance! True. I blew it here, but did use the the Tungsten pre-set.
Barbara Payton @ ISO 3200 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=497298)

[ibkev]

I shoot in RAW.This allows you to repair a botched exposure and play with the white balance.Slide the button around to tune in the white balnce to your liking.This works really well if the lights change,i.e. light show or changing done by the lighting tech.I've pulled out a decent image that was lit with a red gelled spot light.The background lights go funny though.
Kevin

[René Damkot]

Even if you shoot Raw, the WB you've set in camera (and the other parameters) affect the histogram (and preview). So you'd better set them right.
As said: Tungsten or a K setting between 2600 and 3600 (roughly, depending on lighting) should get you in the ballpark.

[Hartness53]

Thanks Guys. The number one thing I love about digital is, I can take 200 pictures trying different things, and ya don't have to get a lot of film developed! Christian.