WhiBal Certified Neutral Gray Card for White Balance

We designed and manufacture the WhiBal White Balance Reference Card to be the best digital Gray Card available anywhere. Each and every WhiBal Card is individually measured ensurring that each WhiBal card we ship meets or exceeds our stringent specifications.

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Having a Gray Card reference is the best assurance that the digital pictures that you capture will have the ability to be properly white balanced. Only with a proper white Balance can you be ensured of proper and accurate color, regardless of lighting conditions.

Unlike your eyes, a digital camera does not automatically see whites as white. It sees the color of the light reflected from the scene, hence bluish in daylight and orangish in incandescent lighting. By photographing the genuine WhiBal reference card in each lighting situation, you are assured of being able to achieve a proper White Balance, with accurate, natural colors and no color cast.

The WhiBal reference picture can be used with today's software to balance the color casts that various lighting conditions produce with all digital cameras. The best method to properly White Balance your digital pictures is by using a Gray Card properly and shooting RAW. RAW Conversion Software such as Adobe Camera Raw, Lightroom, Capture One and Photoshop and can then perfectly adjust all the captures that were shot under the same lighting conditions. And the beauty of the WhiBal® is that it is small enough to fit in your pocket or around your neck, so that it will be used on a regular basis. Remember that even the genuine WhiBal is useless if it sits in your camera bag.

What are the criteria for selecting a good Gray card?

  • It must be spectrally neutral. In other words it must be gray! Not close, but actual perfect gray. This means that it will reflect all colors through the spectrum equally.  WhiBal cards have both *a and *b Lab channel values of 0 (+/-0.5) and are therefore spectrally "flat"!.  And each card is individually measured to certify this spec.
  • It must maintain its spectral neutrality under all reasonable temperature and environmental conditions. WhiBal does.
  • It must be physically rugged. waterproof, scratch proof. WhiBal is (color is below the top surface, not just a coating on top).
  • It must maintain its spectral neutrality under all reasonable temperature and environmental conditions. WhiBal does.
  • The Gray Luminance value must be in a range that is good for digital cameras and not 18%. WhiBal rules!

Beyond technical specifications, the most important aspect of a Gray Card is that you use it. WhiBal® Pocket is the exact size of a US credit card (2x3.4 inches) so that it fits in your shirt pocket or wallet. WhiBal will be used and not just relegated to an accessory that lives in your camera bag.

WhiBal Feature Summary:

  • Pocket WhiBal fits in your shirt pocket. (it's the same size as a credit card ...2x3.5 inches)... So you will actually use it rather than have it in your bag!
  • It is basically indestructible, waterproof, etc.
  • Pocket and Studio Card versions come with a Tyvek storage sleeve.
  • Keychain card comes with an S-Hook.
  • Reference card comes with a Poly Storage bag.
  • Pocket and Studio Kit versions come with a Tyvek storage sleeve, S-Hook/Stand, and a quick-release lanyard.
  • All 4 WhiBal versions are individually measured with a precision spectrophotometer to certify that each card meets or exceeds our stringent specifications.
  • The WhiBal is designed for low reflectivity, except that the black patch is intentionally highly reflective so that maximum TrueBlack™ Blackpoint level may be achieved by observing for maximum glare point and then backing the angle down.
  • Gray area is used to set the precise white balance reference
  • Black and White point patches are provided for reference.
  • WhiBal is a product of Michael Tapes Design and is available exclusively from our e-Shop, B&H Photo Video, Amazon.com, and selected fine photo shops.

Make Better Pictures From Your Pixels™
with WhiBal.

Find out more about WhiBal:

PDF User Guide

Video User Guide (The WhiBal Videos)

Note: These videos were made in 2005. The products have changed but the concepts remain valid and may be instructive to you.