Monitor Calibration

olv · 18 Oct 2006 at 19:32

Recently I had a look at some of my photos on my machine at work and noticed they look a hell of a lot different to have i intend for them to look and how they look on my TFTs at home.

What software calibration applications do you guys use and how can you be sure you are getting accurate results.

I know at one stage i have used the inbuilt nvidia colour calibration tool that comes with the drivers but i have no idea if this has done more harm then good.

I dont want to be processing photos that to me look great but lack any kind of impact when viewed on a different machine.

help!

nomore · 18 Oct 2006 at 19:38

It's not just based on Monitor calibration.

You will need an ICC profile for the printer. In software such as Photoshop, you can view images in 'Proof Colours' and select a colour profile. For example, on my computer, I have a profile installed for my Canon printer, and if I view an image using that profile, it looks quite a bit different, but allows me to make the necessary changes before printing.

A lot of printing companies offer ICC profiles for their printers.

Generally, if you're going to share images digitally, you should convert your images to an SRGB profile, and again check the 'Proofing Colours' against a profile. In Photoshop, there is 'Macintosh RGB' and 'Windows RGB' for example. You can access them from the menu View > Proof Setup and turn on proofing from View > Proof Colours

glitch · 18 Oct 2006 at 19:57

olv said:
I dont want to be processing photos that to me look great but lack any kind of impact when viewed on a different machine.

That will always happen - it's something completely out of your control.

I'd worry more about the subject matter and your ability to convey that to your audience than the colours. You can spend hundreds of pounds and hours of your time getting them as close to 100% accurate as possible, only for an uncalibrated monitor to ruin everything. Don't fret about it too much.

Adobe Gamma (found in Control Panel if you have PS installed) would be a good and inexpensive start. You might then want to invest in a hardware calibration unit if you feel that you are missing out.

What nomore says is technically correct, but as you don't mention printing it might not apply to you.

olv · 18 Oct 2006 at 20:24

Yeah i don't own a printer so printing isn't a huge concern of mine. all my prints i get done from photobox and they seems pretty accurate thus far.

i shall check out adobe gamma cheers.

nomore · 18 Oct 2006 at 22:11

glitch said:
What nomore says is technically correct, but as you don't mention printing it might not apply to you.

Maybe you didn't read my whole post. Printing was an example, and I explained how to apply this info for on-screen. This is for output devices (monitors, printers etc.) Try and and you'll see what I mean.

"Generally, if you're going to share images digitally, you should convert your images to an SRGB profile, and again check the 'Proofing Colours' against a profile. In Photoshop, there is 'Macintosh RGB' and 'Windows RGB' for example. You can access them from the menu View > Proof Setup and turn on proofing from View > Proof Colours"

glitch · 18 Oct 2006 at 22:21

I read your post and you are technically correct, as I said. And we've already established that printing isn't a concern.

But with regard to proofing, you can by all means check your image against other profiles, but that won't make the slightest bit of difference if the viewee has an uncalibrated monitor. They can have whatever profile they like attached to it but it won't mean squat if the colours are off in the first place.