title: "Photo Editing 101: How to Use Grey Cards and White Balancing for Accurate Colour" date: 2024-08-27 slug: /using-grey-cards-and-white-balancing word_count: 2100 images: 7

Photo Editing 101: How to Use Grey Cards and White Balancing for Accurate Colour

Kicking off photo editing or snapping product shots? Nailing the perfect colour balance can feel tricky. But no stress — simple techniques exist to make it easy. One of the most effective is using a grey card.

A grey card is simply a piece of neutral grey material that you can hold up in front of your subject matter when taking a photo. This gives your camera a reference point for what "middle grey" should look like, and ensures that your photo's white balance is accurate.

In this guide, we cover how to use a grey card for accurate colour in your photos. We also discuss how to white balance your photos manually, in case you do not have a grey card handy.

What Is White Balancing?
What Is a Grey Card in Photo Editing?
How to Use a Grey Card in Photo Editing
What Size Grey Card Is the Best?
When Should You Use a Grey Card?
Why Does the Grey Card Work?
Should I Use a Grey Card or My Camera's White Balance Presets?
eCommerce Product Image Editing Services by Pixel by Hand
FAQ

What Is White Balancing?

In technical terms, white balancing refers to the process of adjusting the colours in an image so that they appear more natural. It is a technique used to make sure that the colours in your photo look accurate, whether or not you have a grey card on hand. This is important because it can help you prevent colours from appearing either too warm or too cool.

White balancing is essential for ensuring that the colours are correct in your product images. You want to match the actual colours of the products as closely as possible since most customers rely on your product images to make a purchasing decision.

There are two main ways to white balance your images: in-camera and post-processing.

In-camera white balancing is when you use the camera's built-in white balance tool to adjust the colours in an image. This is usually done by taking a photo of a grey card and then using the camera's white balance tool to set the colour balance.

Post-processing white balancing is when you manually adjust the colours in an image using photo editing software. This is usually done by working with the temperature and tint sliders until the colours look more natural.

Whilst in-camera white balancing is convenient, it is not always accurate. This is because different cameras have different white balance settings, which can cause colours to appear either too warm or too cool.

Post-processing gives you more control over the final look of your photo, and it is generally more accurate than in-camera white balancing. However, it does require a bit more time and effort.

What Is a Grey Card in Photo Editing?

In technical terms, a grey card is a tool that can be used to calibrate the white balance of a digital image. It is a card that you hold in front of your subject when shooting, which tells your camera what "middle grey" should look like.

This ensures that the white balance of your photo is accurate, and prevents colours from appearing either too warm or too cool. As a result, your photos will have accurate colours that more closely match what you saw when you took the photo.

When used in product photography, grey cards are often used to create a consistent colour balance across a series of photos. This is especially important when taking photos of products that come in different colours, such as clothing or cosmetics.

If you are shooting clothing, grey cards can be used to make sure that the colours in each photo are accurate. This is important because it makes it easier for customers to see what the product actually looks like, and prevents them from being confused by different colour casts in each photo.

Grey cards are also helpful when shooting shoes and other footwear. Because they are often made of different materials, shoes can reflect light in different ways and produce different colour casts. By using a grey card, you can make sure that the colours in your images are accurate, no matter what kind of shoe you are shooting.

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How to Use a Grey Card in Photo Editing

Using a grey card is relatively simple. First, you need to take a photo of your subject matter with the grey card included in the frame. You can place the grey card in front of your subject, or hold it in your hand.

Once you have taken the photo, open it in your image editing software of choice. In most cases, you will want to use Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Then, go to the "White Balance" tool and click on the grey card in the photo. This will tell the software what "middle grey" should look like, and adjust the white balance of the photo accordingly.

Let us say you are shooting a series of photos of different coloured shirts. To make sure that the colours are accurate, using a grey card can be helpful. Simply take a photo of each shirt with the grey card included in the frame and run it through your photo editing software.

If you do not have a grey card on hand, you may still manually white balance your product images. To do so, find a neutral grey object in your photo and use it to set the white balance.

If you are shooting in RAW, you can also use the camera's built-in white balance tool. However, it is worth noting that it is not as accurate as using a grey card, as it can be easily fooled by other colours in the frame.

What Size Grey Card Is the Best?

The size of the grey card is not too important, as long as it is big enough to be seen in the photo. If you are shooting a small product, like a piece of jewellery, you can use a small grey card. If you are shooting a larger product, like a piece of furniture, you may want to use a larger grey card.

Just make sure that the grey card is big enough to be visible in the photo, and you will be all set.

When Should You Use a Grey Card?

There are two main situations when you should use a grey card: when shooting in difficult lighting conditions, and when shooting a series of photos that need to match in colour.

If you are shooting in difficult lighting conditions, like in direct sunlight, using a grey card can help you get accurate colours. This is because direct sunlight can cause colours to appear either too warm or too cool.

If you are shooting a series of photos that need to match in colour, like product photos for a website, using a grey card can help you create a consistent colour balance across all of the photos.

Using a grey card is a simple way to get accurate colours in your photos. By taking a photo with the grey card included, you can white balance your image in post-processing and get colours that match what you saw when you took the photo.

Why Does the Grey Card Work?

The grey card works because it provides a reference point for the camera's white balance. By taking a photo with the grey card included, the camera can see what "middle grey" looks like.

This information is then used to adjust the white balance of the image, which prevents colours from appearing either too warm or too cool. As a result, your photos will have accurate colours that more closely match what you saw when you took the photo.

Should I Use a Grey Card or My Camera's White Balance Presets?

Most digital cameras have white balance presets that you can use to quickly adjust the colour of your photos. Whilst these presets can be helpful, they are not as accurate as using a grey card.

This is because each preset is designed to produce a certain colour cast. For example, the "sunny" white balance preset will add a bit of warmth to your photo, whilst the "shade" preset will add a bit of coolness.

If you want accurate colours in your photos, it is best to use a grey card and white balance your image manually. This may take a bit more time, but it is worth it for the extra accuracy.

eCommerce Product Image Editing Services by Pixel by Hand

Colour correction is important for two reasons. First, accurate colours can make your photos look more realistic and true-to-life. Second, consistent colours across all of your photos can give your brand a professional look.

When it comes to running an online store, product photos are one of the most important elements of your website. Customers want to see what they are buying, and accurate colours are essential for giving them a realistic idea of what the product looks like.

If your product photos have inaccurate colours, customers may be disappointed when they receive their purchase. This can lead to returns and negative reviews, which can hurt your business.

That is why it is so important to make sure that your product photos have accurate colours. And if you are not sure how to do this, we can help.

At Pixel by Hand, we offer colour correction and image editing services for eCommerce stores that can help you get the perfect colours for your product photos. With over 10 years of experience and 380+ clients worldwide, we will work with you to understand your vision and ensure that the colours in the final image match your expectations.

We provide a wide range of image editing services, from simple colour correction to complex image retouching.

See the difference accurate colour makes. Send us your images for a free sample edit — no obligation, no credit card required. We will show you how professional colour correction can transform your product photos.

FAQ

What exactly is a grey card?

A grey card is a piece of neutral grey material (typically 18% grey) used as a reference point for calibrating white balance in photography. By including it in a test shot, you give your camera or editing software an accurate baseline for what "middle grey" should look like.

Can I use something else if I do not have a grey card?

Yes. You can use any neutral grey object in your scene as a reference point for manual white balancing. However, a dedicated grey card is more reliable because it is manufactured to a precise neutral grey — everyday objects may have subtle colour casts that throw off your balance.

Do I need a grey card for every single photo?

No. You only need to take one reference shot with the grey card each time the lighting conditions change. You can then apply the same white balance settings to all photos taken under those same conditions.

Is white balancing the same as colour correction?

Not quite. White balancing ensures that whites appear truly white (and greys truly grey) by removing unwanted colour casts. Colour correction is broader — it includes white balancing but also covers adjusting saturation, hue, and overall colour accuracy to match the real-life appearance of the product.

Why do my product photos look different on different screens?

Each screen has its own colour profile and calibration. Whilst you cannot control every customer's display, starting with accurately white-balanced and colour-corrected images gives you the best possible foundation. Calibrating your own editing monitor is also recommended for consistent results.

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