so i just did a test run with the the whibal card...
I went outdoors and shot a bunch of random things indoors in different rooms etc...and each area took a shot of the card ...
Opened in camera raw clicked on the grey area with the white balance tool and volia cold looking photos...yuck!
I much prefer the auto setting from all of the images. Did I do something wrong?
I had the camera on AWB when i took all the shots...

Is your monitor calibrated?

I agree with you that it can sometimes produce an image that is too neutral and somewhat cold. But, in my opinion, the WhiBal (or any gray card) is a starting point from which you can warm things up if need be.

Let's face it, when you look at the color cast that an incandescent bulb throws on a white wall, that wall certainly doesn't look white to the eye. So, our eye is used to seeing color casts and interpreting them as white. The WhiBal makes it WHITE. I'm guessing that is what you're reacting to.

it is calibrated by me with basic tools!
i need to get the eye one or spyder but it is pretty good right now for the most part...

guess i am not used to it and I like nice warm images with good color.
I have to play around a bit more....
thanks for the response