# Product photo color consistency: lighting and white balance

Created by SokuPhoto · 2026-09-17

https://sokuphoto.ai/en/blog/product-photo-color-consistency

This is an original fictional example, not product information or measured results. Verify it against your actual product. You may copy and edit it for your own store’s workflow.

Before applying the same filter to every image, check the light source, exposure, and viewing screen separately. Start by recording conditions whenever you take additional photos and comparing them against a source photo that closely represents the physical product. The same editing settings will not necessarily produce the same color in photos taken under different lighting.

## Keep a record of shooting conditions

```text
Product ID / source photo:
Shooting date and time:
Light source / indoor lights / curtains:
Device, lens, and shooting position:
White balance (write auto if automatic):
Exposure settings:
Reference object and reference file:
Screen used for comparison:
Unknown conditions:
```

## Compare 2 sessions and record the reason for your decision

| Session | Conditions | Observation | Decision and reason |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Baseline shoot | 1 window, no indoor lights, same device, auto WB | Reference and product captured together | Check against the physical product before considering this a baseline |
| B: Additional shoot | Evening, window plus warm light, same device, auto WB | Even the reference looks yellow | Reshoot because the lighting is mixed. Do not force a correction with a strong blue filter |

### Blank template (copy rows as needed)

| Session | Conditions | Observation | Decision and reason |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Not entered / unknown | Not entered / unknown | Not entered / unknown | Not entered / unknown |

## Before publishing

- [ ] Color casts and darkness have been assessed separately.
- [ ] Lighting and settings have been recorded, including for additional shoots.
- [ ] The diagram's colors have not been treated as calibration results.
- [ ] Outputs that changed the product's color have been rejected, and source photos have been retained.

## References

- [Nikon: Setting White Balance](https://www.nikonusa.com/learn-and-explore/c/tips-and-techniques/setting-white-balance)
- [Shopify: Product photography](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/product-media/product-photography)