In photography, Kelvin (K) refers to the color temperature of light, measured in degrees Kelvin (K). It determines how warm (yellow/orange) or cool (blue) the light appears in an image. Color temperature affects the overall mood and tone of your photos.

Common Kelvin Temperature Ranges in Photography
1,000K – 3,000K → Warm light (Candlelight, Tungsten bulbs)

3,000K – 4,500K → Neutral white light (Fluorescent bulbs, Early morning light)

5,000K – 6,500K → Daylight/Balanced light (Midday sunlight, LED lights)

6,500K – 10,000K → Cool light (Cloudy sky, Shade, Blue hour)

Why is Kelvin Important in Photography?
White Balance Control – Adjusting the Kelvin setting in your camera helps neutralize color casts and achieve accurate colors.

Creative Effects – Using warmer or cooler temperatures intentionally can set the mood of an image (e.g., warm golden hour tones vs. cool winter blues).

Consistency in Editing – If shooting in different lighting conditions, setting a custom Kelvin temperature prevents extreme color shifts in post-processing.