Kelvin is the temperature scale used to measure the color temperature of light. Lower values (around 3200K) are warm and orange-tinted, while higher values (around 5600K and up) are cooler and blue-tinted.
Cameras read light differently than human eyes. Understanding Kelvin helps videographers and photographers match light sources and maintain color consistency across shots. It’s especially critical when mixing natural and artificial light. It also allows intentional creative choices.
Use warmer Kelvin values for indoor or cozy scenes, and cooler values for daylight or clinical looks. Set your camera’s white balance to match the light’s Kelvin rating for accurate color.
Know the scale – Tungsten ~3200K (warm), daylight ~5600K (cooler), shade ~6500K.
Match sources – Align Kelvin values of lights on set to avoid mismatched color casts.
White balance accordingly – Set your camera to the dominant Kelvin setting for accurate color reproduction.