DPP: How White Balance?

DPP

I open the tool and click on RAW tab but the whole section including the White balance adjustment is grayed out. How do I white balance?

Also, I transferred the image I'm working on to a trial version of Photoshop CS3 and couldn't find how to white balance there either. PS Help told me to open the Camera Raw Dialog Box but said Camera RAW is a plug in. How do I know if I have this plug in? Where would I find it?

You are working with a CR2 image?

Sounds like it is a JPEG as opposed to a RAW file. What is the file type?

one bit of advice, if you sent the camera to shoot in RAW mode it only works in the 'creative modes', but if you place it on the 'AUTO' modes it switches to JPEG. Maybe you did that?

The RAW tab in DPP will be greyed out if the image is a JPEG as opposed to a CR2 file

DPP 3.0 has a white balance probe on the RGB tab also for use with jpgs or tifs. Works the same way as the RAW probe - click on a neutral grey.

Ah,...duh. It is a jpg file. Sorry for the bother.

Andrewaaa5 , thanks , my pictures were coming out at about 4 meg - thought some kind of compression going on .
Back to book - is there a way to take raw in auto ?
I was looking for more on white balance and got this post .
Is there a good book for low camera knowledge people ?
I just stepped up to an XTI from Point and shoot .

I use an Expo Disc for my WB.. I rarely have to "Tweak" my WB after using this tool..

r.morales wrote in post #3256757
Back to book - is there a way to take raw in auto ?

I don't think so... try 'P' mode instead, which is pretty similar to 'Auto' mode, and you can take RAW in 'P' mode. You may need to pop the flash up manually yourself depending if you want to use it.

Not sure about a book. I just find Google and this forum a great help, so maybe do some Google searches or search in this forum for any keywords that you may want to know more about.

There are a few good 'stickies' at the top of each section in this forum, like this one may be useful:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=42034

Thank you - Andrew , I bookmark the post - lots to read

I agree with Andrew, use the P mode... it's just like Auto, but you have more control of things (decide when to use flash or not, choose your ISO, capture RAW, etc) Just remember to set your ISO back down if you cranked it up during a previous shoot

Can a piece of photo paper [HP - 4 X 6] be used ?

r.morales wrote in post #3260768
Can a piece of photo paper [HP - 4 X 6] be used ?

It'll work in a pinch... but using whibal card, (a gray card), or an expo-disc typically gives better/more consistent results.

I've used the "poor man's expodisc" on occasion. It's a White coffee filter (not a cone type). You hold it in front of the lens and follow the same instructions as if you were using an expodisc. Worked ok, but people will look at you kinda strange. =)

Now , I have to figure out how to do it . I have the camera on auto and found out yesterday in auto it takes jpeg not raw .

You CAN use the white balance option on your camera...

but you could also leave the camera on auto WB, take your WB pictures (of grey card, using expodisc, etc) and then apply your WB to multiple RAW images using WB eyedropper in DPP.... that's one of the cool things about it too, you have options of different ways to do it.

(Especially when shooting in rapidly changing conditions (shade, to sunlight, to indoors, etc) its not always practical to go through camera menus to set custom WB. Its much easier to take a quick shot of a grey card when lighting changes, then apply the WB in Post.)