Understand the idea

Colour temperature.

Colour temperature uses kelvin to describe a light source along a warm-to-cool scale.

Why it matters.

It gives white-balance settings a useful reference.

A closer look.

Lower kelvin values describe warmer-looking sources and higher values cooler-looking sources. A camera white-balance setting compensates for the source, so its visual effect is different from changing the lamp itself.

Picture this

With the light unchanged, move the camera white-balance setting between 3000 K and 6000 K and compare the result.

Keep in mind.

A temperature value does not describe every colour difference; green and magenta shifts can also need correction.

Build on what you know

Follow the connections.

The connected picture

Explore colour temperature.

Connection typeFactual relationship Editorial next step

Select an idea or a labelled connection2 ideas

Follow a connection to understand how these ideas fit together.

Factual relationship
White balance requires understanding Colour temperature
Understanding the light-source colour scale helps explain a white-balance setting.
Factual relationship
Colour temperature affects White balance
Different source temperatures call for different adjustments when the goal is neutral rendering.

How connections are reviewed ↗

Follow the evidence

Sources & review.

Source check: 3 October 2026. This records a check of the supporting references; it is not an expert endorsement.

Setting White Balance ↗Nikon
Remove a color cast from a photo ↗Adobe

Which facts do these sources support?

Colour temperature uses kelvin to describe a light source along a warm-to-cool scale.

Nikon ↗ Adobe ↗

A temperature value does not describe every colour difference; green and magenta shifts can also need correction.

Nikon ↗ Adobe ↗

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