Auto WB

Auto White Balance.

In the days of film, white balance is something you don't think much about or you think too much about it, like before you shoot anything.  This is the realm of professional, serious amateur or self important photographer I suppose.  White Balance is baked in the film, the only way you can change the white balance is by adding filters to color correct during the shoot or change the film back.

Digital changes that.  One can change the white balance from picture to picture on the fly.

The old filter or gel still apply as photography is still photography.

I have little concern on white balance if I shoot outdoor during the day.  The Auto white balance pretty much nails color temperature.

On the other hand if I shoot indoor with mixed lightning or with lighting I have no idea what temperature it is then I got into problem with auto WB.  If you add flash then you might even have bigger problem.  If I have absolute control like in a studio environment (not that I would find out), like able to shut off all the ambient lighting then problem solved:  just shoot whatever light white balance you using probably in the proximity of 5500K.  Back to shooting indoor event with flash and mixed lighting ... auto white balance just couldn't cut it in my experience.  I feel like I am forced to set WB manually and gel my flash using the same K number.  It's not perfect but I find it better than leaving it to my Nikon and adjusting it post in Light Room.  That's my experience.  Just to add to the mix to complicate things a bit, you can also shoot preset or shoot a 18% grey card as reference.  But I got to the point I feel like I just set the WB at 2900 and be done with it.  No grey card no shooting preset.