WhiBal Certified Neutral Gray Card for White Balance

We designed the WhiBal® White Balance Reference Card to be the best Gray Card for White balance available. WhiBal® technology is now Patent Pending and all WhiBals® are made in USA. What makes it so different?

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 it, hence blue-ish in Daylight and Orange-ish in incandescent lighting. By photographing a Gray Card reference for each lighting situation that you are in, you are assured of being able to achieve a proper White Balance for all of your pictures. The Gray Card 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 and Lightroom 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, as above. Remember that the most accurate Gray Card 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 Gray. This means that they reflect all colors through the spectrum equally. The Gray Cards within the WhiBal® system have both *a and *b Lab channel values of less than 1 at D50 and are spectrally "flat". The WhiBal® RAW Gray Card is spec'd at less than +/- 0.5! 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 (color goes all the way through, not just a coating on top).WhiBal® is.
  • It must not respond to UV light any differently than the visible spectrum. WhiBal® does not.
  • The Gray Luminance value must be in a range that is good for digital cameras. WhiBal® rules!
  • Beyond technical specification, the most important aspect of a Gray Card is that you use it. WhiBal® Pocket is the size of a US business card (2x3.5 inches) so that it fits in your shirt pocket or hangs around your neck with the included Lanyard. WhiBal will be used and not be an accessory that lives in your camera bag.
WhiBal G6 Pocket Version Shown
Very simply, WhiBal® combines all the best features of all available Gray cards and meets or exceeds their technical performance in a unique package that can be used conveniently in all your shooting situations. In addition, WhiBal® provides convenient neutral White and Black reference areas for setting dynamic range in your digital capture using the Black and White Eyedroppers available within Lightroom and other RAW conversion software, Photoshop™ and most other editing software. Make Better Pictures From Your Pixels™ with WhiBal®.
Feature Summary:
  • It fits in your shirt pocket. (same size as an American business card ...2x3.5 inches)...so you will actually use it rather than have it in your bag!
  • It is basically indestructible, waterproof, etc.
  • All 3 "Kit" versions (Pocket, Studio, Reference Kits) come with convenient stand for ease of setup on tables or flat surfaces. No need for someone to hold the WhiBal.
  • All 3 "Card" versions (Pocket, Studio, Reference Cards) are just the card alone.
  • New Key Chain Card version comes complete with S-Biner attachment hardware (as shown).
  • All 4 WhiBal versions are individually measured with a precision spectrophotometer to certify that each card shipped meets or exceed or stringent specifications.
  • The Gray card is designed for low reflectivity, except that the sticker 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.
  • Larger 3.5x6inch Studio size, and 8.5x11 Reference sizes are also available
  • Can be used to set white balance reference, Black point and White point.
  • Fits shirt pocket or can hang on studio hook or lanyard. (Lanyard is supplied with Pocket version only).
  • WhiBal® is a product of PictureFlow LLC and available exclusively from RawWorkflow.com, B&H Photo Video, Samys Camera, and a few fine photo shops.
To the right you can see the spectral graphs* of each of the WhiBal® cards, as well as the absolute Lab values. WhiBal® meets or exceeds the specifications almost all WB references that exist. And none of them have the convenience, durability and combination of features of the WhiBal®, the new standard in White Balance Reference for digital cameras. The flatness of the graphs indicate that each WhiBal® card is completely neutral regardless of the color of the light source. And the lab values of the 2 gray cards are <0.5 in both the *a and *b lab channels, assuring the total neutrality required for proper setting of White Balance. *Measurements Taken with Gretag Macbeth SpectroEye Spectrophotometer
Find out more about WhiBal®
 PDF User Guide
Video User Guide (The WhiBal Videos)
JPEGPlug-in for Photoshop™ (not required for PS CS2/3/4 or Lightroom)
Discussion/Support Forum

WhiBal­® Card Kits - include Stand & Case. (and lanyard w/pocket kit only)
WhiBal™ G6 Pocket Kit Includes: WhiBal™ Pocket Gray Card, lanyard, table stand, & Ultra-Lite carry case. WhiBal Pocket
WhiBal™ G6 Studio Kit
 Includes:
WhiBal Studio Gray Card,table stand, & Ultra-Lite carry case.
WhiBal™ G6 Reference Kit Includes:
WhiBal Reference Gray Card,table stand, & Ultra-Lite carry case.
WhiBal™ G6 Combo Bundle Includes:
WhiBal Pocket & Studio Gray Cards, 1 lanyard, 2 table stands, & 2 Ultra-Lite carry cases.
WhiBal™ G6 Trio Bundle Includes:
WhiBal Pocket & Studio & Reference Gray Cards, 1 lanyard, 2 table stands, & 3 Ultra-Lite carry cases.
WhiBal­® Cards - do not include accessories (except Key Chain WhiBal w/S-Biner)
WhiBal™ G6 Key Chain Card Includes:
WhiBal Key Chain Gray Card
One S-Biner Hardware Attachment
6 mil PolyBag Case.
2 @ $17.95 each (Save $2)
3 @ $16.95 each (Save $6)
WhiBal™ G6 Pocket Card Includes:
WhiBal Pocket Gray Card
6 mil PolyBag Case.
WhiBal™ G6 Studio Card Includes:
WhiBal Pocket Gray Card
4 mil PolyBag Case.
WhiBal­ Cool Stuff Accessories

"One of the key design parameters in creating the WhiBal, was and is the ability to use it conveniently, and regularly. As I always say, a WhiBal in your camera bag very accurate color unless you use it. So along with the WhiBal technical design criteria, has been a search for WhiBal CoolStuff Accessories that make it more convenient and fun to carry and use the WhiBal. These accessories are based on the small size of the Pocket WhiBal. All Pocket WhiBals come standard with a quick release lanyard, that allows you to have the WhiBal close at hand, yet easy to remove and use. We optionally added the Rivet system of attachments detailed below that can be used instead of or in concert with the WhiBal Lanyard. And finally we offer the new WhiBal SLR below".
Michael Tapes, WhiBal Creator, May 5, 2006

Save 15% on all CSA items when bundled with a WhiBal Kit
Order with any WhiBal Kit + use Coupon Code WBCSA at checkout.
WhiBal and CSA must appear in the same shopping Cart

How To Shoot RAW
without Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt


Video Tutorials by Michael Tapes

Let RAW Guru Michael Tapes show you why RAW is the easier way to shoot and how to get the visual results you are looking for in your photography.

Go to RAW without FUD Page...
RAW without FUD Video Tutorial
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RAW without FUD Video Tutorial
DVD-ROM plus "Extras Disk"

Get "Instant Gratification" while waiting for your DVD to arrive... the Download Version is included free with your DVD purchase, a $29.95 Value. Download access key emailed during business hours.

Note: DVD-ROM plays on Mac and Win computers. It will not play on Home Theater type DVD players.

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WhiBal SLR (Spring Loaded Retractor)
The WhiBal SLR is a Spring Loaded R etractor that allows you to keep the WhiBal close at hand, by attaching the SLR to your belt, or shooting jacket, or shirt pocket, and pull the WhiBal for use, and have it automatically retract when finished. We have been looking for the proper combination of long life, appropriate pull strength, and ease of use, and we have found it and had a custom version made just for the WhiBal. Personally I use the SLR in combination with the Rivet MicroClip and MicroPin and have never been happier with the usefulness of the WhiBal system. I hope that you find it useful in your work."
WhiBal SLR
with Spring Clip Mount Shown Above

(WhiBal must be purchased seperately)