topic Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

WhtBalanceBlues — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 08:46:44 GMT

I was following a video tutorial on white balance and was told to keep an eye on my histogram and made sure the bars were close/on the right edge before photographing and setting my white balance photo. Following his directions to the t, but end results are inexplicably green...

I take anywhere between 100-300 product photos a day and was looking to up my photo game. Taking the time to individually edit each photo to knockout the background is NOT an option.

In short:

I am using a Canon T3i Rebel.
Camera is updated to latest firmware.
Adjusting WB SHIFT/BKT has no/very minimal affect on photos.
Backdrop is used to set white balance reference, it's as white as paper.
5000k lights used if that matters.
Photos look fine if histogram bars have the tiniest bit of separation from edge, but then white backdrop doesn't remain white, remaining off-white and dull looking.
Picture below to visually demonstrate what is happening to my photos.

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

Waddizzle — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 10:46:57 GMT

Your photos are green probably because you played around with WB compensation and settings. Switch the camera to P mode and go into the menus and reset it back to factory defaults.

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

kvbarkley — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:20:25 GMT

Get a grey point reference like a WhiBal.

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

ebiggs1 — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 15:43:29 GMT

Your post and the fact you are using a fairly old Rebel implies, that at one time the photos were good. Yes, no?

This should tell you, you set something incorrectly or you do have a camera fault. Do this little test. Remove any and all attachments to the camera and the lens. Nothing but a bare camera and a bare lens. No battery, no grip, no SD card, no filters nothing .

Charge the battery fully. Install it. Mount the lens and put the switch on AF. Put the camera to "P" mode and reset it to default. Menus, tools, clear all settings and clear all custom settings. Format the SD card. Set WB to average. ISO 200 and use One shot. Go outside on a nice bright day and take some shots. Take different subjects. If the pictures look good there is nothing wrong with the camera. And, you did screw up something. If on the other hand they still look off call Canon. 1 (800) 652-2666

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

kvbarkley — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 17:09:54 GMT

What is "Average" White Balance?

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

BurnUnit — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:08:22 GMT

I suspect he meant "Automatic" white balance.

Also, to the OP . . .Are you by chance shooting with LED lighting? Are you seeing the same green shift on both your monitor and the camera's LCD display?

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

ebiggs1 — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 22:02:07 GMT

"What is "Average" White Balance?"

I was not going to respond to this, however, since BurnUnit did, I will also. I guess it is possible that you and perhaps some other newbies don't know. Average or Auto WB is a best guess algorithm to set WB used by a DSLR. It has a limited range and if you don't know what to set, it can get you pretty close or even correct WB.. Most DSLRs have it as a selection, but I admit I don't have a Rebel T3i so I really can not confirm that.

One of two things, the OP either set something wrong or he has a faulty camera. The simple test I outlined will tell which it is.

This forum sure has a bunch of nit-picky people. More than our fair share!

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

kvbarkley — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 00:41:24 GMT

AWB stands for Auto White Balance, not "Average" White Balance. I am picky since we do get a lot of newbies here.

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

ebiggs1 — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 14:27:04 GMT

" I am picky since ..." Totally agree! "... we do get a lot of newbies here." And some stay that way forever.

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

kvbarkley — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 17:02:24 GMT

BTW, it appears that the OP has left the building.

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

wchettel — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 05:37:29 GMT

@kvbarkley wrote:
BTW, it appears that the OP has left the building.

Are you surprised? You guys hijacked his discussion like you often do!

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

ebiggs1 — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:22:54 GMT

The thread was "hijacked"? Nah, I don't think so. There was just one nit-picker. He was answered.

I gave a concise remedy early on. The OP was probably satisfied.

"Your post and the fact you are using a fairly old Rebel implies, that at one time the photos were good. Yes, no?

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

BurnUnit — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:27:53 GMT

Don't think it was so much of a hijack as a clarification. If the OP searched his camera's menus and adjustments I doubt he'd find any reference to an Average White Balance setting.

I just figured the OP is one of those people with a real life and a job and maybe a family that occupies most of his time.

Re: Why do my photos come out with a green tint after setting my white balance? - Canon T3i Rebel

ebiggs1 — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:59:22 GMT

Auto White Balance is somewhat of a misnomer and should more accurately be called Average White Balance. Cameras aren't smart. They dutifully record whatever color casts they see. You can set them to a specific white balance setting to overcome this. Auto white balance, averages, using a specific set of instructions what it sees and does a great job, but it is just guessing. In effect it averages the scene. It is similar to the way it works in post editors like LR and PS.