Incident Meter vs. Custom White Balance

[Michael D. Miller]

I just purchased an incident meter and have a camera that does custom white balance.
I also have a gray card.

In the meter's tutorials online they mention "get a neutral incident reading with the meter".

Does that mean that I do not have to make custom white balance readings with the camera?
Does an incident reading do the same thing as a gray card reflective reading?
Does an incident reading always give you the correct color balance for mixed lighting?

I have only been shooting for about 52 years but don't fully understand what the difference is in the various tools and methods.

[BRIAN ANDERSON]

Hello Michael,

The incident light meter and all meters for that matter, except color meters, will only tell proper exposure not color. White balance is the ability to correct the existing light by filtration, either by filters or electronically. The white balance will be the same for any metering. To correct white balance you must use a neutral source in the light in which you whish to take the picture. An example would be incandesent light. A neutral density grey card or better a pure white card can be used to adjust your white balance. The result would render the incandesent light as daylight or natural light, instead of yellow or orange. Most cameras have a custom white balance procedure using a white card or a white balance device. Please don't confuse white balance with exposure. In black and white photography, exposure can reflect color but not in color photography. I hope this helps clarify the difference between white balance and exposure.

[Michael D. Miller]

Thanks Brian. So I guess my incident meter is only good for "exposure" and I would have to make a shot of my gray card to get a white balance, either put the card in the scene or shoot it for the custom WB.

M

[BRIAN ANDERSON]

Yes, that is correct. There are many white balance tools on the market that work easier than a grey card or white card. Some look like a white lens cover made from clouded plastic and can be used as a lens cover. You shoot through it in the light you whish to correct for and it gives you a correct reading.

Brian

[Michael D. Miller]

Roger that.

Yes, I have seen the cover and the filter. The cover is probably easier to use, but like the incident meter, I would have to try to get to the subject's position. I wonder if the cover would probably work for a custom white balance, since they want us to fill the frame (and probably point -at- the subject from the camera position?) and we don't have to achieve focus. However, I also imagine that the cover is translucent.

Thanks.