Cheap Tricks: White balance

Christopher C. Murphy · October 4th, 2005, 12:17 PM

Steph, the camera is dumb. (I use the word dumb more or less as a figure of speech.) It is haphazard in its ability to capture a proper image without human help. ...and no, going into auto mode on a camera isn't the same as the human's eye having the ability to auto adjust to light.

Also, Steph you mentioned that we were "born with the knowledge that the sky is blue and our eyes will see blue". That's not exactly true. We aren't born with any knowledge about anything. When was the last time you sat with a new born? They are completely knowledge free and can't see a thing until a few weeks later. (I think it's a few weeks or more?) Yes, the sky is blue and our eyes have an irus to adjust accordingly. However, everything outside of the human brain's instinct is learned - example, knowing that the sky is suppose to be blue. That is learned. If all of us were born and never shown the sky until we were adults - we wouldn't know that it was suppose to be blue unless we saw it or were told so.

My point is - the human eye adjusts itself automatically to light and color. It's part instinct and learned behaviour. The camera does not do this on its own with any instinct - again, going into auto doesn't count for professionals and that's what I'm talking about.

So, the camera is dumb because it's haphazard with its inability to capture without a human eye and touch.

Logan Bright · April 11th, 2006, 05:17 PM

That's great~ It's these kinds of posts that I love the most. Thanks a lot!

Paul Cypert · October 15th, 2006, 06:15 AM

Also, in the same veign from my photography "skills" to ressurect this post....a pringles can lid over the lens in a scene is a great WB setter...

Paul

October 4th, 2005, 12:17 PM	#16
Christopher C. Murphy Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,707	Steph, the camera is dumb. (I use the word dumb more or less as a figure of speech.) It is haphazard in its ability to capture a proper image without human help. ...and no, going into auto mode on a camera isn't the same as the human's eye having the ability to auto adjust to light. Also, Steph you mentioned that we were "born with the knowledge that the sky is blue and our eyes will see blue". That's not exactly true. We aren't born with any knowledge about anything. When was the last time you sat with a new born? They are completely knowledge free and can't see a thing until a few weeks later. (I think it's a few weeks or more?) Yes, the sky is blue and our eyes have an irus to adjust accordingly. However, everything outside of the human brain's instinct is learned - example, knowing that the sky is suppose to be blue. That is learned. If all of us were born and never shown the sky until we were adults - we wouldn't know that it was suppose to be blue unless we saw it or were told so. My point is - the human eye adjusts itself automatically to light and color. It's part instinct and learned behaviour. The camera does not do this on its own with any instinct - again, going into auto doesn't count for professionals and that's what I'm talking about. So, the camera is dumb because it's haphazard with its inability to capture without a human eye and touch. __________________ Christopher C. Murphy Director, Producer, Writer

April 11th, 2006, 05:17 PM	#17
Logan Bright New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 24	That's great~ It's these kinds of posts that I love the most. Thanks a lot!

October 15th, 2006, 06:15 AM	#18
Paul Cypert Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangkok, Thailand (work in US in the summers) Posts: 89	Also, in the same veign from my photography "skills" to ressurect this post....a pringles can lid over the lens in a scene is a great WB setter... Paul