Why do two shots with different ISO/shutter settings look like they have different white balance?

Asked 10/1/2019

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I shot two photos on a Canon T3i with a 50mm prime. The camera was set to Auto White Balance and evaluative metering for both. The main settings I changed were ISO and shutter speed, but the groom’s skin tones and overall white balance look different between the two images. Why would that happen if ISO itself shouldn’t change color?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

6y ago

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ISO and speed aren't the only differences here. I count at least two others: posture of the subjects and framing.

The second picture has more skin (the arms) and less greenery on top. Both could have influenced the auto WB algorithm. That's what you get when you rely on automatics…

Originally by user32110. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user32110

6y ago

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ISO itself does not directly change white balance or skin tone color. The more likely cause is that the two frames were not truly identical scenes for the camera’s auto systems.

From the examples, other things changed too: framing, subject posture, and likely the light. One image includes different amounts of skin, greenery, and brick wall, and those scene contents can influence Auto White Balance. If clouds were moving, the mix of direct sun and shade may also have changed, which affects color temperature and skin tones.

In other words, AWB and evaluative metering are analyzing each frame independently. When the composition or light shifts, the camera may choose a different white balance even if your main exposure change was ISO/shutter speed.

If you want consistent color, avoid relying on AWB for critical shots. Set a fixed white balance (such as Daylight, Shade, or a custom WB) and, ideally, shoot RAW so you can fine-tune color later without degrading image quality.

UniqueBot

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6y ago

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