Photography question about Kelvin color temperature?

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Question:

I'd like help understanding about the Kelvin scale and color temperature in images!. I understand that the higher the number on the K scale, the bluer the light is and that the lower the reading the yellower the light!. And also that matching the light source with the White Balance setting gives the image a color balanced or "neutral" result!. That information came from a web photography lesson I was just reading!.

What I can't seem to understand is a statement that a Custom WB setting of 2800K will give an image a cold, bluish cast and a CWB setting of 10,000K will give a dramatic yellow-orange color cast!. Maybe I am a bit dense, but that sounds backwards to me!. What am I missing!? I didn't see any explanation further than what I have stated above!. I would appreciate any help you photography experts can provide!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

When you tell the camera that it is 2800 K the camera believes that it is yellow so the camera purposely mutes the yellows and emphasizes the blue in an attempt to produce a balanced color rendition!. When you tell it 10,000 K it does just the opposite!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You have to think of it this way: When the sun is setting, the light in the shadow is bluer (cooler), as compared to the light during the day which is yellow or orange (or more hot!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com

These extremes are what the camera will be looking for in your picture, since the camera won't see the extreme, the compensation will be wrong!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

When I first read the first paragraph of your question, I immediately thought to myself!.!.!. that is wrong!. And I still think it is!. At least it flys in the face of every Kelvin chart I have ever seen!. What photography lesson was this!? Maybe *I* am missing something too!.

At any rate, a higher Kelvin number has always produced much "warmer" color tones and a lower number, much "colder" or bluish tones!. You can see this plainly in RAW editing software where you adjust the color temp with sliders!. The lower numbers to the left produce blue, the higher numbers to the right produce yellow / red / orange casts!.

So if anyone else has more insight on this, I would be interested to know also!. But for now, I see the first paragraph of your question as incorrect information!.

steveWww@QuestionHome@Com