What is the purpose of white balance in photography?

The purpose of white balance in photography is to adjust the camera settings to the light in the room. This process ensures that the colors in an image accurately represent how they appear in real life. Different light sources emit different colors; for example, incandescent bulbs give off a warmer, yellow-orange hue, while fluorescent lights can cast a cooler, greenish tone. By adjusting the white balance, a photographer can neutralize these color casts so that white objects appear truly white and colors are rendered correctly, leading to more natural and balanced images.

This adjustment is vital in achieving true color representation, especially in diverse lighting conditions. Correct white balance settings allow photographers to maintain the integrity of the scene's colors, enhancing the overall realism and quality of the final image.