THE TEMPERATURE OF LIGHT

The colour of light is measured by temperature on the Kelvin scale.

The scale shows the effects of temperature of the light on its tone
or hue.

Midday light is deemed as " white light " or neutral light. Dawn or
dust are deemed to be " warm" light as they are of red tones.
Shaded or overcast light are measured as " cool" light as the
hue are blue.

The kelvin registers them as white light as 5000k, warm light
below 2000k and cool light above 6500k.

To compensate for the tone of light, white balance can be adjusted
to try to bring light back to the daylight temperature of
5500k ( or neutral light) Therefore red light such as tungsten
or candle light can be toned down by adding blue white
balance or using a blue filter ( 80a) for a film camera

Cool light such as and overcast day can be warmed up by
adding red tones via white balance or using a
warming up filter ( 81a-81c)



The below chart shows the colour of light and its tonal
effects for both natural and artificial light.