The white balance is an aspect of photography that many aspiring photographers fail to understand, placing them at a great disadvantage due to not being able to get the maximum out of their cameras as perhaps they may have wanted to.
Understanding why you would need it and how it benefits you is key to moving ahead in your photography and taking it to the expected (OR TOP) level. It is the one thing that separates the pros from the amateurs besides giving you a serious advantage in the long term. Knowing how to adjust this important aspect of photography, particularly in situations where there is a great amount of light, will set you on the road to success.
In its purest form, white balance is the adjusting of the white in a picture (either lessening or increasing its effect) in order to make a truer definition of the colours presented.
For instance, in situations where the light level is very high, lowering the white balance may be the best way to get the colours you want to represent and avoid that unwanted whiteout where necessary. Also, adding a higher white balance to a photo where the content is dark may make up for poor lighting and draw out the colours of the dark that are missing.
Many amateurs substitute exposure settings for this, and while that does have a good outcome, the exact effect that the white balance setting on a camera can have is an added and necessary advantage. Knowing when to use one or the other (white balance vs. exposure) will greatly aid you in getting the most out of your photos. This benefit will strengthen your skill and set you on a road to take your photography skills to the next level and set you up to work as a professional in this field.