color shift while rotating gimbal up

[jojonono]

i noticed this behavior twice in both my late air 2s and brand new air 3s
once in desert
and again in sea

when the gimbal is looking down 90 degree colors look saturated properly

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and while rotating the gimbal up slowly picture start loosing saturation and look flat,

also the entire day when ALL AUTO and shooting mid sea/ocean picture did indeed look flat despite shooting in normal profile, it was only when i rotated gimbal down pix looked properly saturated

that day was very humid and completely cloudy, any idea how to fix that and what caused it ? for my knowledge and future trials...


thanks,

 

[GadgetGuy]

It's a contrast issue. White on a dark blue background vs. white against a gray flat horizon. White on white will never be saturated because there is no color. Find a more colorful boat, and don't shoot against a horizon without any color.

 

[Felix le Chat]

i noticed this behavior twice in both my late air 2s and brand new air 3s
once in desert
and again in sea

when the gimbal is looking down 90 degree colors look saturated properly

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

and while rotating the gimbal up slowly picture start loosing saturation and look flat,

also the entire day when ALL AUTO and shooting mid sea/ocean picture did indeed look flat despite shooting in normal profile, it was only when i rotated gimbal down pix looked properly saturated

that day was very humid and completely cloudy, any idea how to fix that and what caused it ? for my knowledge and future trials...


thanks,

There are a couple of things at work here:

Firstly, with the camera in nadir position (pointing straight down) the only light source is behind the camera (the sky) so you'll get a perfect exposure. Pan the camera up: and the auto exposure alters the E.V. if it's a bright day: the image will look washed out and over exposed compared to the nadir shot. It will be ETTR (Exposed To The Right).

Secondly, during the early months of the year, how available light passes through the lens is different - this is down to the Albedo effect. In essence: the sun is lower to the horizon and as light hits an object, it is reflected back into the lens (the eye or the camera sensor) at a much shallower angle. You see the same effect if you shoot with head-on fill flash - the light is bounced off the object straight back into the lens and the result is harsh lighting and partial over exposure.

 

[GadgetGuy]

There are a couple of things at work here:

Firstly, with the camera in nadir position (pointing straight down) the only light source is behind the camera (the sky) so you'll get a perfect exposure. Pan the camera up: and the auto exposure alters the E.V. if it's a bright day: the image will look washed out and over exposed compared to the nadir shot. It will be ETTR (Exposed To The Right).

Secondly, during the early months of the year, how available light passes through the lens is different - this is down to the Albedo effect. In essence: the sun is lower to the horizon and as light hits an object, it is reflected back into the lens (the eye or the camera sensor) at a much shallower angle. You see the same effect if you shoot with head-on fill flash - the light is bounced off the object straight back into the lens and the result is harsh lighting and partial over exposure.

Now that we understand the cause, how would you best recommend that he "fix" the problem?

 

[Felix le Chat]

Now that we understand the cause, how would you best recommend that he "fix" the problem?

I wouldn't presume to lecture. I'm sure the O/P is savvy enough to work out a compromise once what's causing the problem is pointed out. If Jojonono wants my thoughts on a workaround for a common problem - I'm sure it will be asked for.

 

[jojonono]

It's a contrast issue. White on a dark blue background vs. white against a gray flat horizon. White on white will never be saturated because there is no color. Find a more colorful boat, and don't shoot against a horizon without any color.

i always shoot against horizon in city never had such a problem except in the sea, there must be a solution !...

 

[jojonono]

There are a couple of things at work here:

Firstly, with the camera in nadir position (pointing straight down) the only light source is behind the camera (the sky) so you'll get a perfect exposure. Pan the camera up: and the auto exposure alters the E.V. if it's a bright day: the image will look washed out and over exposed compared to the nadir shot. It will be ETTR (Exposed To The Right).

Secondly, during the early months of the year, how available light passes through the lens is different - this is down to the Albedo effect. In essence: the sun is lower to the horizon and as light hits an object, it is reflected back into the lens (the eye or the camera sensor) at a much shallower angle. You see the same effect if you shoot with head-on fill flash - the light is bounced off the object straight back into the lens and the result is harsh lighting and partial over exposure.

are you suggesting i should lock the exposure, something which you might not see coz i enabled subtitles, i actually shot on -0.7 EV, but that day as i said it was extremely cloudy and HUMID, and most of the time i was shooting images were washed out even while flying...

 

[jojonono]

I wouldn't presume to lecture. I'm sure the O/P is savvy enough to work out a compromise once what's causing the problem is pointed out. If Jojonono wants my thoughts on a workaround for a common problem - I'm sure it will be asked for.

yes plz share...

 

[jojonono]

It's a contrast issue. White on a dark blue background vs. white against a gray flat horizon. White on white will never be saturated because there is no color. Find a more colorful boat, and don't shoot against a horizon without any color.

Chat gpt agrees !...

This is actually a common behavior caused by light angle, sensor limitations, and the way automatic settings (like white balance and exposure) respond to the environment.


Here’s why this happens:

1. Lighting Conditions Change with Angle:
   When you tilt the gimbal downwards, you're mostly seeing ground lit directly by sunlight, which reflects stronger and more saturated colors. When you point the gimbal up towards the horizon, you're capturing more sky and atmospheric haze, which naturally reduces contrast and saturation due to scattered light.
2. Automatic Exposure/White Balance Shifts:
   Most drones (especially on auto settings) adjust exposure and white balance depending on what’s in the frame.
   
   • When the sky dominates, the camera compensates for brightness, possibly underexposing the ground.
   • White balance might shift towards blue/cooler tones, which can desaturate the whole image.
3. Dynamic Range Compression:
   Looking toward the horizon usually includes both bright sky and darker land, which pushes the camera’s dynamic range to its limits. The drone compensates by compressing highlights and shadows, leading to a duller image.
4. Polarization Effects (especially midday):
   When pointing straight down, reflected polarized light from the ground enhances color. Toward the horizon, scattered, unpolarized light dominates, washing out colors.

Solutions:​

• Lock White Balance and set it manually.
• Shoot in D-Log or a flat profile, then color grade manually for consistency.
• Use manual exposure and lock it while maintaining similar lighting.
• Consider using ND filters to balance exposures and prevent the sky from blowing out.

Would you like help setting the optimal manual settings for consistency when tilting the gimbal?