Colour / Learn by doing
Kelvin explained simply
What is “Kelvin”?
The unit used to describe colour temperature. Photographers often say a light is around 3200K or 5600K.
- 01Choose K value
- 02Take test frame
- 03Check neutral colours
How do you use Kelvin practically?
A small exercise
Photograph a neutral object with a daylight-type light. Compare camera settings of 3200K and 5600K and look at the colour shift.
- Make a starting version and keep it so you can compare fairly.
- Try the change in the exercise. Keep unrelated choices steady where the exercise allows.
- Compare the result at the size your viewer will actually see. Write down what changed and whether it helped.
How does Kelvin solve a problem?
It gives a repeatable white-balance setting for a series under consistent lighting.
What can go wrong?
Numbers alone do not describe green-magenta tint or how faithfully a light renders different colours.
How do you turn the idea into a useful solution?
Start with the specific problem in your image or brief, try the exercise, and keep the version that meets that need. If the result is worse, return to the starting version and change one choice at a time.
Quick check: can you explain the three ideas in the diagram?
Choose K value → Take test frame → Check neutral colours. Explain how each relates to the exercise. Then compare the starting version with your result and choose the one that meets your brief.
Related video lesson
Colour temperature — Canon
This related lesson gives wider context for the topic. Camera menus and software versions may differ from yours.
Loading the player connects to YouTube. You can also watch the lesson on YouTube.Keep exploring
Try the idea in a studio shoot
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