Photography Question - White Balancing

[msdtds]

I'm having trouble getting my pics to have a "true color." When I try adjusting my white balance with a white sheet of paper, it gives me this

and when i let the camera set it automatically i get this


Which is better? the first one has a more true color on the leaves and buds, but it makes the background blue, and that, to me, almost makes it look like the color is less accurate. The second one has too much green in the foreground, but the background looks correct, so it almost makes that picture look more correct in tems of color, even though it isn't. Is there any way to fix the blue hue in the background?

 

[trichomefarmer]

use a dark background.

the 1st pic is the more accurate for colour, your background is in the shadow and light in colour therefore the bluish tone.

also yellow and cyan(blue)are opposites so when 1 is removed the other will gain. ie. add more cyan to a photo and it will look less yellow, remove cyan to get more yellow.

the background in your photo does not really add anything. it isn't of much interest, so its accurate colour is of less concern. imho

 

[R00KIE]

Yeah I think the first pic looks better..
I think when your takin budshots, background is irrelevant...
I also think that first shot looks great...

 

[Oreganic]

Yeah man, the bottom line is you can see the frostiness much better in the first pic. Crazy how different one shot can be really.. the first shot looks much more impressive.

-budo.

 

[trichomefarmer]

I think when your takin budshots, background is irrelevant...

I have to disagree a nice background will improve any photo.

a good photo comes from paying attention to all the details within the frame.

 

[msdtds]

right on everyone thanks for the input.
trichomefarmer, you answered it perfectly, just the info i was looking for.
thanks again

 

[R00KIE]

That is true trichome, but i think when your takin a single budshot the background is not as important and the foreground....
However were you taking a budshot with a nice background that you wanted to capture, it would be another story..
But in general when taking budshots the bud is what should be in full frame no?
Not arguing here sorta trying to pick up some pointers as well...
Plus in this case I kinda like the blue background... :wink:

 

[jaykush]

trichome farmer, i agree with you, a background can make or break a photo.

rookie: the background plays a good role in pictures. although with cannabis its not AS important but it will make one picture stand out from the rest. the bud also doesent have to be full screen all the time. research the rule of thirds if you have time, it will make your shots 10x better after u got it down. also a black sheet hung behind the nug will make things a whole lot easier with whitebalance and itl look better straight out.

msdtds: the first one looks good but theres a bit too much blue, take the blue down jsut a notch and i think itl be really good.

 

[Guest]

You should use a grey card for white balancing... Kodak makes them, and most camera shops carry them in 8x10 and 4x5 sizes, I think they are 18% grey if I remember right, which is supposed to be neutral.