Colour / Learn by doing
Mixed Lighting explained simply
What is “Mixed Lighting”?
Using light sources with different colour characteristics in the same scene, such as daylight and warm room lamps.
- 01Daylight side
- 02Warm-lamp side
- 03Balance the sources
How do you use Mixed Lighting practically?
A small exercise
Photograph a neutral object partly lit by a window and partly by a warm lamp. Compare each side’s colour.
- 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 Mixed Lighting solve a problem?
It explains why one white-balance setting can leave part of a photograph too orange or too blue.
What can go wrong?
Similar kelvin labels do not guarantee identical colour. Switching off, matching or separating sources is often cleaner than heavy editing.
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?
Daylight side → Warm-lamp side → Balance the sources. 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
Planning a portrait or product session? Use the glossary with our practical shoot guides, then check the studio facilities and send your confirmed requirements with an availability enquiry.