Editing on a Laptop

[PMG]

OK what is the advice for editing on a laptop screen as in what angle/tilt do you view at when doing all those tricky things like for instance colour saturation? I've just found another bittern from the sequences last week and it looks so much better on the lap top than it does in the front room on the very very old machine! I'm going to upload it in a minute and see if it comes up looking ok on wab and add it here afterwards (All editing done on lappy). At a guess the answer will be with the screen at right angles to my view as laid far back its a dark viewing and at right-angles to the keyboard its too light ... is this how others are dealing with the problem?

Pauline


You won't be able to view this full size just yet but when its been passed (provided its light and good enough!) I'd be interested in what others see on their machines as this subject is becoming a bit of a bogey issue for me!

[John D]

Originally Posted by PMG

OK what is the advice for editing on a laptop screen as in what angle/tilt do you view at when doing all those tricky things like for instance colour saturation? I've just found another bittern from the sequences last week and it looks so much better on the lap top than it does in the front room on the very very old machine! I'm going to upload it in a minute and see if it comes up looking ok on wab and add it here afterwards (All editing done on lappy). At a guess the answer will be with the screen at right angles to my view as laid far back its a dark viewing and at right-angles to the keyboard its too light ... is this how others are dealing with the problem?

Pauline


You won't be able to view this full size just yet but when its been passed (provided its light and good enough!) I'd be interested in what others see on their machines as this subject is becoming a bit of a bogey issue for me!

Hi Pauline,

Because the tilt of a laptop causes such variance in how an image looks it is quite difficult to carry out a satisfactory editing process. I have a laptop but I have an external 22" monitor (which I calibrate at regular interval by means of an X-rite Eye-One Display 2) connected which makes for consistent image viewing/quality etc.
In my opinion obtaining satisfactory edited images from a laptop is a bit 'hit or miss'.

John D
Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[camo]

Hi Pauline

Like John I use an external screen connected to my lap top, however calibration is very important and quite easy. If you are a member of a camera club you can generally borrow a calibrator such as spider, otherwise they cost about £100. You must also get into the habit of adjusting in consistent conditions; i.e. use the same location, have the lighting the same and either always close or open the curtains. If you do get an external screen get a back lit TV type screen they are great and much better value than those sold as photographic models. The final thing is shoot in Raw and download a colour profile for the printer you either use or send to.

I know you are experienced so please dont think i am teaching you to suck eggs.

Roy

[PMG]

Thanks John and Roy for advice. You'd be surprised Roy about the 'holes' in my experience - despite what I can do there's a lot I can't - in fact I'd go so far as to say I'm an expert in what I know about - and an everyday idiot in the things about which I know nothing A lot of things I just plain get away with 'by eye' and the perhaps more 'proper' ways of doing things just go over my head ........

Pauline

[The_Moaner]

That Pic Looks Very Good on my Calibrated 24" monitor Pauline. Well Done.
I always tilt my Laptop screen a few degrees backward so it looks Good to my eyes..I got a Laptop that's calibrated, But I don't Photoshop in it. Majority of laptops don't calibrate well, but is still worth doing.
Find someone who has a Spyder or Colour Monkey and ask them to calibrate the screen for you.

[John D]

Even if a laptop monitor is calibrated and mine is, the screen colours/saturation/contrast etc varies as the angle of the screen changes.
I agree that Pauline's image looks OK to me as well when viewed on my 'external monitor'. However I wonder just how different it would look if viewed on several of our monitors placed side by side.(not something that many of us have ever done). That goes for all our images not of course just Paulines. In order to ensure that all are within similar colour levels/saturation/contrast etc all would require to be calibrated by suitable 'hardware'. I would suggest that many monitors are not calibrated and just like TVs are operated at colour levels as delivered out of the box. That being the case most may be much brighter and saturated etc than the ideal.

I find it very interesting when visiting some of my family just how different their TV colours etc are. (the skin colour on some are far too RED and on another so very TANNED). All except one operates at 'out of the box' settings.
I suppose there is a bit of subjectivity when it comes to what looks OK even if not near to the ideal calibration levels.

John D
Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[Boddie]

Looks great on my 27 inch iMac

[Hobjob]

Sounds like it is time for new screen for the front room Pauline!

[BillyPilgrim]

I don't own or wish to own a monitor to edit photos. Every image I've ever done has been edited on my 15" laptop, on my knee.

The angle of the screen has never been an issue nor has the size. Maybe my jpegs are incorrectly exposed but I don't recall any comments saying so!

[camo]

Billy to remind you Pauline's question was about consistency of colour rather than exposure. A number of people have suggested a remote screen because that will be a great aide to consistency. The problem Pauline alluded to was the difference you may get having a Laptop screen at various angles and in different lighting conditions. I used to use only a laptop screen and my preference is now for a seperate calibrated screen (it cost me £150), at the end of the day if you are happy with your set up then that is good.

Regards Roy