Why do snow photos often look too blue, and how can I fix or prevent it?
Asked 12/26/2016
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When I photograph snowy scenes, especially around sunset, the images often come out much bluer than what I saw, and the warm sunset colors are weak or missing. Why does this happen with snow scenes, and how can I correct it in editing software such as Corel PaintShop Pro? Also, what can I do in-camera to avoid the blue cast next time?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
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Outdoor vistas are illuminated by sunlight and skylight. In the middle of a clear day, the sun is contributing white light and the sky is contributing an azure cast. The two blend, and the combination produces a natural daylight. Shadows are the result when an object blocks sunlight. However we can still see detail in these shadow areas because they are receiving light from the sky, Most times we are unaware of the blue cast induced by scatter light from the blue sky, however a photograph will generally depict shadows with a blue cast. This is particularly true when the vista is a snow scene. The digital camera in auto mode attempts to neutralize strange illumination with its “white balance” algorithm. White balance is not infallible, so sometimes we need to switch to manual and supply a suitable neutral target for the white balance to work off of.
Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user44949
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Snow scenes often go blue because shaded snow is lit mostly by the blue sky rather than direct sunlight. Our eyes/brain automatically compensate for this color cast, but camera auto white balance can get it wrong, especially in scenes dominated by snow and shadows.
To fix it in software, adjust the white balance toward a warmer setting until the snow looks neutral and the sunset tones look natural again. In PaintShop Pro or similar editors, this usually means moving color temperature/tint away from blue and toward warmer tones.
To prevent it next time:
- Don’t rely entirely on auto white balance in tricky snow light.
- Try a manual white balance or a warmer preset when shooting snowy scenes, especially in shade or near sunset.
- Review your images on the camera and adjust if they look too cool.
Also keep in mind that monitors vary. If your display is not calibrated, color may still look different from device to device, so check the image on more than one screen if possible.
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