Public Lab Wiki documentation

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrared converted cameras.

Images using a red filter should look roughly like the "GOOD" example below -- vegetation should appear generally pastel blue (for blue filters, see this page). An incorrectly white-balanced image such as the "BAD" example below may appear with an overall reddish tint.

Activities

Follow these activities to learn how to set white balance properly, or add your own if there's one missing:

[activities:white-balance]

Research

There's been a great deal of research on the best white balance for Infragram use; browse some of it here:

[notes:white-balance]

Questions

Ask or help answer questions about white balance here!

[questions:white-balance]

Mobius/Infragram Point & Shoot

Mobius Action Cams require a custom config file; here are instructions for using it to set the required custom white balance here

Canon

Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance a Powershot (after removal of the internal IR block filter and with a red or blue filter in place):

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface that is either blue or red and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) works well with many of the common blue filters that have been tested (see below). Ideally the blue surface should be in the shade but under a clear blue sky. A bright red surface works with red filters. For red filters the red surface should be in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, photos of healthy foliage (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow (with blue filter), or turquoise (with red filter). When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue or red surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrared converted cameras.

Images should look roughly like the "GOOD" example below -- vegetation should appear generally pastel blue. An incorrectly white-balanced image such as the "BAD" example below may appear with an overall reddish tint. This means the camera probably has not accepted your config file, possibly due to misformatting or incorrect uploading.

Activities

Follow these activities to learn how to set white balance properly, or add your own if there's one missing:

[activities:white-balance]

Research

There's been a great deal of research on the best white balance for Infragram use; browse some of it here:

[notes:white-balance]

Questions

Ask or help answer questions about white balance here!

[questions:white-balance]

Mobius/Infragram Point & Shoot

Mobius Action Cams require a custom config file; here are instructions for using it to set the required custom white balance here

Canon

Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance a Powershot (after removal of the internal IR block filter and with a red or blue filter in place):

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface that is either blue or red and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) works well with many of the common blue filters that have been tested (see below). Ideally the blue surface should be in the shade but under a clear blue sky. A bright red surface works with red filters. For red filters the red surface should be in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, photos of healthy foliage (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow (with blue filter), or turquoise (with red filter). When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue or red surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrared converted cameras.

Research

There's been a great deal of research on the best white balance for Infragram use; browse some of it here:

[notes:white-balance]

Questions

Ask or help answer questions about white balance here!

[questions:white-balance]

Mobius/Infragram Point & Shoot

Mobius Action Cams require a custom config file; here are instructions for using it to set the required custom white balance here

Canon

Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance a Powershot (after removal of the internal IR block filter and with a red or blue filter in place):

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface that is either blue or red and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) works well with many of the common blue filters that have been tested (see below). Ideally the blue surface should be in the shade but under a clear blue sky. A bright red surface works with red filters. For red filters the red surface should be in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, photos of healthy foliage (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow (with blue filter), or turquoise (with red filter). When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue or red surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrared converted cameras.

Mobius/Infragram Point & Shoot

Mobius Action Cams require a custom config file; here are instructions for using it to set the required custom white balance here: http://publiclab.org/wiki/infragram-point-shoot

Canon

Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance a Powershot (after removal of the internal IR block filter and with a red or blue filter in place):

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface that is either blue or red and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) works well with many of the common blue filters that have been tested (see below). Ideally the blue surface should be in the shade but under a clear blue sky. A bright red surface works with red filters. For red filters the red surface should be in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, photos of healthy foliage (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow (with blue filter), or turquoise (with red filter). When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue or red surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrared converted cameras.

Mobius/Infragram Point & Shoot

Mobius Action Cams require a custom config file; here are instructions for using it to set the required custom white balance here: http://publiclab.org/wiki/infragram-point-shoot

Canon

Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance a Powershot (after removal of the internal IR block filter and with a red or blue filter in place):

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface that is either blue or red and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) works well with many of the common blue filters that have been tested (see below). Ideally the blue surface should be the shade but under a clear blue sky. A bright red surface works with red filters. For red filters the red surface should be in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, photos of healthy foliage (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow (with blue filter), or turquoise (with red filter). When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue or red surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrared converted cameras.

Mobius/Infragram Point & Shoot

Mobius Action Cams require a custom config file; here are instructions for using it to set the required custom white balance here: http://publiclab.org/wiki/infragram-point-shoot

Canon

Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance a Powershot (after removal of the internal IR block filter and with a red or blue filter in place):

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface that is either blue or red and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) works well with many of the common blue filters that have been tested (see below). Ideally the blue surface should be the shade but under a clear blue sky. A bright red surface works with red filters. For red filters the red surface should be in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, photos of healthy foliage (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow (with blue filter), or turquoise (with red filter). When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue or red surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrablue converted cameras.

Mobius/Infragram Point & Shoot

Mobius Action Cams require a custom config file; here are instructions for using it to set the required custom white balance here: http://publiclab.org/wiki/infragram-point-shoot

Canon

Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance an infrablue Powershot (after removal of the internal IR block filter and with an infrablue filter in place):

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface of a color that you want the camera to think is light gray, and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) seems to work well with many of the common infrablue filters that have been tested (see below). Some evidence suggests that the white balance surface should not be in direct sunlight. Good results have been obtained with the blue surface under a clear blue sky but not in the sun. See: http://publiclab.org/notes/cfastie/07-17-2013/balancing-act
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, infrablue photos of healthy plants (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow. When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrablue converted cameras. Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance an infrablue Powershot (after removal of the internal IR block filter and with an infrablue filter in place):

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface of a color that you want the camera to think is light gray, and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) seems to work well with many of the common infrablue filters that have been tested (see below). Some evidence suggests that the white balance surface should not be in direct sunlight. Good results have been obtained with the blue surface under a clear blue sky but not in the sun. See: http://publiclab.org/notes/cfastie/07-17-2013/balancing-act
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, infrablue photos of healthy plants (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow. When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrablue converted cameras. Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance an infrablue Powershot:

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface of a color that you want the camera to think is light gray, and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) seems to work well with many of the common infrablue filters that have been tested (see below). Some evidence suggests that the white balance surface should not be in direct sunlight. Good results have been obtained with the blue surface under a clear blue sky but not in the sun. See: http://publiclab.org/notes/cfastie/07-17-2013/balancing-act
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, infrablue photos of healthy plants (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow. When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrablue converted cameras. Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance an infrablue Powershot:

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll (up or down) to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll (left or right) to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface of a color that you want the camera to think is light gray, and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) seems to work well with many of the common infrablue filters that have been tested (see below). Some evidence suggests that the white balance surface should not be in direct sunlight. Good results have been obtained with the blue surface under a clear clue sky but not in the sun. See: http://publiclab.org/notes/cfastie/07-17-2013/balancing-act
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When custom white balance is done properly, infrablue photos of healthy plants (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow. When custom white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray. When custom white balance is not done, infrablue photos appear pink.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrablue converted cameras. Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance an infrablue Powershot:

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface of a color that you want the camera to think is light gray, and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) seems to work well with many of the common infrablue filters that have been tested (see below). For CMOS cameras, some evidence suggests that the white balance surface should be in the shade. For CCD cameras some evidence suggests the results are better when the surface is in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When white balance is done properly, infrablue photos of healthy plants (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow. When white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrablue converted cameras. Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance an infrablue Powershot:

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set).
2. Scroll to the white balance icon.
3. Scroll to the custom white balance icon.
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface of a color that you want the camera to think is light gray, and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) seems to work well with many of the common infrablue filters that have been tested (see below). For CMOS cameras, some evidence suggests that the white balance surface should be in the shade. For CCD cameras some evidence suggests the results are better when the surface is in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When white balance is done properly, infrablue photos of healthy plants (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow. When white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Not all blue surfaces will reflect the same proportion of visible and infrared light, so some colors will work better than others. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared

White balance can be critical to getting good results with infrablue converted cameras. Many Canon Powershots allow custom white balance. This option is sometimes available only when the camera is in Program Mode, not an auto mode or auto preset.

To custom white balance an infrablue Powershot:

1. Press "Func Set" (Function Set)
2. Scroll to the white balance icon
3. Scroll to the custom white balance icon
4. A message will display indicating which button to press to set a custom white balance.
5. Point the camera at a surface of a color that you want the camera to think is light gray, and fill the frame with that color. A medium rich blue (between sky blue and navy blue) seems to work well with many of the common infrablue filters that have been tested (see below). For CMOS cameras, some evidence suggests that the white balance surface should be in the shade. For CCD cameras some evidence suggests the results are better when the surface is in direct sunlight.
6. Press the designated button.
7. Press Func Set to return to camera mode.

When white balance is done properly, infrablue photos of healthy plants (in sun or shade) appear orangey yellow. When white balance is not done properly, infrablue photos of plants appear gray.

A blue origami paper that has worked well for white balancing a CCD Powershot with Rosco #74, #2007, and #2008 filters.

More testing is needed to determine the best white balance process for different combinations of cameras and filters. Add your observations here or at the infrared forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plots-infrared