How can I prevent a TV screen from looking blue when photographed or filmed indoors?
Asked 8/2/2011
1 views
2 answers
0
When I photograph or film a scene that includes an LCD or plasma TV, the screen often looks noticeably blue compared with the rest of the room. This seems to happen especially indoors under warm household lighting. What causes this, and what can I do in-camera or in post to make the TV look natural? Also, how do studio or news setups avoid this problem?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
13
This is caused by the difference in white balance between your ambient light and the television. I am assuming you are filming indoors with tungsten lighting, which means the white balance of your light is at a yellower point than that of your television. Your camera will automatically adjust to match the white balance of the ambient light, leaving the television looking blue.
In a television studio, the lighting will be of the same white balance as the TV monitors you can see. You have a few options here:
- Get hold of some studio lighting that is closer to daylight white balance.
- Adjust the white balance of the TV screen to match your ambient lighting. If this is not possible you may be able to use a computer monitor in its place.
- Use as much daylight as possible. You haven't said what specifically you're filming so it's hard to know whether this is practical.
Originally by user456. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user456
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The blue TV screen is usually a white-balance mismatch. TVs/monitors are typically closer to daylight color, while indoor household lighting is often much warmer (tungsten/yellow). If the camera is balanced for the room light, the TV can shift blue.
Ways to reduce it:
- Match the room lighting to the TV more closely by using daylight-balanced lighting.
- If possible, adjust the TV/monitor white balance or color temperature to better match the ambient light.
- Use more daylight in the scene.
- For stills, shoot RAW and make two versions: one balanced for the room and one for the TV, then blend them in post.
- For locked-off video, a production workaround is to replace the screen in post using a direct feed and corner-pin/screen replacement.
Studio/news environments typically avoid the problem by lighting the set with lights that are closer in color temperature to the monitors, so camera white balance works for both more easily.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I photograph children indoors in mixed, low light without blur or orange color casts?
What image appears on instant film if it’s exposed without a lens?
How can I avoid condensation when moving a camera from a warm room into extreme cold?
Can a camera bag prevent condensation when coming indoors from the cold?
How do I show a Nikon D600’s playback/live view on a TV or laptop screen?