TIP OF THE DAY — OUTDOOR PORTRAITS: USE THE SHADE WB PRESET FOR BETTER SKIN TONES

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If you’re shooting outdoor portraits and noticing that skin tones look too cool or bluish—especially when your subject is in the shade—try switching your white balance preset to Shade. It gently warms up cool shadows and gives skin tones a softer, more flattering look—no editing needed.

When your subject is in open shade (under trees, in doorways, next to buildings), the light tends to be cooler, which can make skin appear flat or slightly blue if you’re using Auto WB.

How to do it:
Look at your light: Are you shooting in open shade or indirect outdoor light? Switch to Shade white balance preset in your camera menu. Take a test shot and check your skin tones—warmer and more lifelike!

The Shade preset gently warms up the color, giving you more natural and flattering skin tones right in-camera—no extra editing required.

Tip: Once you choose a WB preset, stick with it throughout your shoot unless the lighting changes—this helps your images stay consistent.

Why it helps: Using the Shade preset adds warmth that helps balance the natural coolness of shaded light. It’s especially helpful when shooting people, where skin tone accuracy matters most.

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Using the Shade WB preset is an easy way to keep your outdoor portraits looking warm and natural—right in-camera.

As always, best of luck!

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