How does this handle images which are predominantly one color

Can I make it fail?

Sure I can. At least I can set up situations that play to the strengths of one tool or another.

Here is an example where auto white balance is handed a pretty easy target to assess given the assumptions of the awb system. AWB here is far from perfect, but it is closer than either of the other tools.

By the same token I could hand pick a few special unique situations where the somewhat more targeted angle of view of the Color Parrot puts it at a disadvantage over a wider angle of view.

Overall, however, this tool has been designed around our understanding of how the typical live event photographer uses their equipment and goes about their day.

We believe The Color Parrot produces the best overall results in these situations.



Auto White Balance


The Color Parrot


ExpoDisc

[robertburkhalter]

Drew,
in these shots that you label "auto white balance", "parrot", "expodisc", are you pointing the expodisc at the light source or at the subject?

All of them are pointed at the subject. They are using the same settings and focal length as shown in the image itself.

If I pointed the parrot and expodisc directly at the light source (assuming there is only one primary light source, unlike the dojo example above) they may perform somewhat better, but the performance for the two products would be very similar in most instances.

[robertburkhalter]

Drew,
I think you should state clearly in your tests and replies when you point the disk and the parrot at the subject and not at the source. AND I would add the phrase "the disk is designed to be pointed at the light source; any other technique is prone to error depending on the color of your scene (which will vary, even for the same subject based on how you frame it)". This should make it clear to prospective buyers of the parrot that it is an item designed for a situation where you don't want to (or cannot) use an expodisc correctly, or the light is some devilish mix in which the parrot might possibly give you a little bit of an edge. If you make that clearer, hardly any of your audience will think the parrot can outperform a properly-used expodisk.

Hi Robert,

All reference images shown in the article and in the forum using the expodisc and the parrot are taken by pointing it at the subject.

Thanks for the suggestion, but, the the color parrot is not designed to be pointed at the light source. Nor, is your summation an accurate assessment of the differences.

Since you already have an expodisc, I'm sure you have all you may want for your present needs. I think that's great. I think it is much better than using no reference point.

The fact remains that The Color Parrot will outperform the expodisc in many situations that do not have devilish lighting conditions.

[robertburkhalter]

I remember when the visible dust products came out. Rob Galbraith used one for 6 months and then commented on it. I think the Parrot would benefit from this sort of thing. If it were put in the field, field tested, and then reviewed by the pros (or non-pros) who used it for a while, we'd all benefit from their experience.

[ksgkphoto]

Drew,

Thank you for taking the example images. I guess its worth a "try"...

I will grab one and give it a whirl at my next dojo shoot... (anything to improve the workflow from the last time... 3000 raw images....)

K