White balance in video and photography work refers to the camera's ability to compensate for varying lighting situations before shooting. Under certain lighting conditions, camera lenses may not interpret colors properly and require an adjustment, using white as the neutral benchmark color to achieve natural hues. The Canon GL2 includes a switch that allows the user to choose between automatic presets or manual white balance. Manual adjustment is recommended by Canon for best results, but you may choose the presets for automatic adjustment. White balance uses the principles of "color temperature" to filter and evenly distribute dominant red and blue colors picked up by the camera lens.
Instructions
Manual White Balance
1. Place or hold the Canon GL2 as you would while shooting and locate the white balance switch on the left side of the camera behind the "EXP" (exposure) dial. There are two buttons under the printed "W. Balance." The first is labeled "Select," and the other is labeled with Canon's white balance icon.
2. Turn the camera power on and set the mode to "Camera." The power switch is clearly marked and positioned on the top of the camera.
3. Point the GL2 at a white surface, such as a paper or object, and zoom in using the zoom control until white fills the viewfinder or LCD screen.
4. Press the white balance "Select" switch until the white balance icon is seen in both the viewfinder and LCD display, if used.
5. Press the white balance icon button. The icon will appear and flash in the viewfinder or LCD display, indicating that the white balance has been set. The flashing icon will cease flashing and stay lit or flash at a slower speed, depending on lighting conditions. The Canon GL2 white balance is now complete, and you may commence shooting.
Automatic White Balance
6. Turn the camera power on to "Camera" mode.
7. Set the program selector to "P." The program selector switch is located on the rear left side of the camera, just behind the the "Open" latch of the LCD display door beneath the "Audio Rec Level" switch.
8. Press the white balance "Select" button, and an icon representing a light bulb and sun will appear in the viewfinder or LCD display.
9. Press the button next to the "Select" switch below the white balance icon to choose between indoor (represented by the light bulb icon) or outdoor (represented by the sun icon). The Canon GL2 has now automatically adjusted the white balance, and you may commence shooting.
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