calibrating monitors

Kerry · #1 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 11:41 AM

My monitor is not calibrated and I have tried doing it with Quick Gamma but I just ended up with bleary eyesight and a screen that to me looked even worse. What do others use for Calibration and will I have to buy a program or are there programs free on the net? Others see my photos differently to how I see them so I know that I need to do something. I haven't tried printing anything out yet but assume that will also be different due to the none calibration.

Thanks
Kerry

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 12:01 PM

PC World - Digital Focus: Calibrate Your Monitor

I have never had to calibrate a monitor,printers yes(I am struggling
with an epson at the moment)but this is a site I had in my favourites

Walwyn · #3 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 12:06 PM

Have fun!

I had a similar problem and I don't think I've got it completely resolved yet. No mater which gamma correction program I use I can never seem to get the patterns to match etc. My old CRT monitor displayed contrasty and had a red bias, this was most noticable when I got a LCD display and saw that a number of my photos appeared slightly washed out.

Yet even on the new monitor I can't get the patterns to blend when trying to gamma correct. I also noticed that the image displayed in a web browser tended to be a little flat. This I believe is because browsers want jpegs written in sRGB format, my editing software was supposed to do that but apparently didn't. Having updated the software the image in the editing software now matches the image in the browser.

Tormentil · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 12:12 PM

There is this.... Free Monitor calibrating Wizard.

Not tried it myself, but you could give it a whirl.

nightshade · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 12:26 PM

The quality and purpose that your monitor was built for greatly influences
the outcome of any adjustment.
Photo quality (purpose built)monitors are very expensive some of the
gaming monitors have high quality displays and high refresh rates /resolutions
at a lower (relatively speaking) price Samsungs Syncmaster 910T is a good one
with a portait and landscape position for the screen

DaiTheDragon · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 01:51 PM

Monitor calibration= pain in the neck. After spending quite some time on this subject I have come to a few conclusions.
I won't even start talking about getting your camera, imaging software, monitor and printer all with correct colour profiles.
As regards putting photographs up on the internet, consider this.You calibrate every thing correctly and then upload your photo. How many of the people looking at your photo will have done the same and even if they have you can bet it wont look the same on their monitor as yours. So is it worth doing.
If you do want to calibrate the monitor I think the best way is with something called a Spider I think. It attaches to your monitor and reads the infotmation and you will get perfect calibration, but it is not cheap.
I do all my work on a Mac but I will then check the image on my PC that has default monitor calibration to check that it looks ok.
Good luck.

Dai

MalcolmX · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 02:42 PM

unfortunately monitor calibration can only be affective if performed outside the monitor and light conditions remain constant . the system that works best always uses a densitometer to read colors that are projected by the monitor and references them against known formula for that color and produces an adjusting algorithm that will correct your monitor . this will need to be done every 3 months or so on a new monitor .some old monitors cannot be calibrated as they are outside the gamut range due to degtradtion in the color system .
to achieve camera monitor printer equality then the color space will need to be consistent srgb is the nearest gamut that is printable by ink jets the adobe produces colors that will be clipped by most small printers

Kerry · #8 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

PC World - Digital Focus: Calibrate Your Monitor

I have never had to calibrate a monitor,printers yes(I am struggling
with an epson at the moment)but this is a site I had in my favourites

For some reason I can't get the link that you listed to work or get any of the articles on that site to show. It just keeps coming up with a blank page.

Not got round to calibrating my printer yet.

Kerry

Kerry · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walwyn

Have fun!

I had a similar problem and I don't think I've got it completely resolved yet. No mater which gamma correction program I use I can never seem to get the patterns to match etc. My old CRT monitor displayed contrasty and had a red bias, this was most noticable when I got a LCD display and saw that a number of my photos appeared slightly washed out.

Yet even on the new monitor I can't get the patterns to blend when trying to gamma correct. I also noticed that the image displayed in a web browser tended to be a little flat. This I believe is because browsers want jpegs written in sRGB format, my editing software was supposed to do that but apparently didn't. Having updated the software the image in the editing software now matches the image in the browser.

It is so nice to know that I am not the only one, saves me thinking 'Why me!'

Mine is a new monitor and I can't get the patterns to blend either.

Kerry

Kerry · #10 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormentil

There is this.... Free Monitor calibrating Wizard.

Not tried it myself, but you could give it a whirl.

Thanks for this link. I shall take a look at it.

Kerry

Kerry · #11 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiTheDragon

Monitor calibration= pain in the neck. After spending quite some time on this subject I have come to a few conclusions.
I won't even start talking about getting your camera, imaging software, monitor and printer all with correct colour profiles.
As regards putting photographs up on the internet, consider this.You calibrate every thing correctly and then upload your photo. How many of the people looking at your photo will have done the same and even if they have you can bet it wont look the same on their monitor as yours. So is it worth doing.
If you do want to calibrate the monitor I think the best way is with something called a Spider I think. It attaches to your monitor and reads the infotmation and you will get perfect calibration, but it is not cheap.
I do all my work on a Mac but I will then check the image on my PC that has default monitor calibration to check that it looks ok.
Good luck.

Dai

I had never thought about the fact that other peoples monitors won't be calibrated and that is a very good point. I am really taking the images for my own pleasure and they look ok to me, so perhaps it isn't worth all the headache of sorting it.

Kerry

Kerry · #12 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmX

unfortunately monitor calibration can only be affective if performed outside the monitor and light conditions remain constant . the system that works best always uses a densitometer to read colors that are projected by the monitor and references them against known formula for that color and produces an adjusting algorithm that will correct your monitor . this will need to be done every 3 months or so on a new monitor .some old monitors cannot be calibrated as they are outside the gamut range due to degtradtion in the color system .
to achieve camera monitor printer equality then the color space will need to be consistent srgb is the nearest gamut that is printable by ink jets the adobe produces colors that will be clipped by most small printers

God, my head starts to spin just reading that never mind trying to figure how to put it all into action!

I am not very technically minded so I struggle at the best of times.

I will try posting a link to one of my pictures taken in the last few days and perhaps everyone could tell me how bad the colouring looks on their monitor?

Thanks.

Kerry

Kerry · #13 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 07:07 PM

chaffinch

This is a link to two that I shot a couple of days ago: a chaffinch and a blue tit with attitude.

I welcome your comments on colour - or on how to to get better shots!

Thanks
Kerry

Tormentil · #14 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 07:22 PM

That looks ok on my monitor, so I should n't worry over much about calibrating yer monitor. Unless you're gonna send your files to a professional printer, who would certainly need to use the same ICC profile as you.

DaiTheDragon · #15 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 09:13 PM

Just looked at the Chaffinch shot. On my calibrated Mac monitor it is a little lighter than my uncalibrated PC monitor but both are perfectly acceptable.

Dai

HowlinWolf · #16 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerry

I had never thought about the fact that other peoples monitors won't be calibrated and that is a very good point. I am really taking the images for my own pleasure and they look ok to me, so perhaps it isn't worth all the headache of sorting it.

Kerry

Kerry,
If that's all you are going to use your images for, I wouldn't worry unduly about calibrating the monitor. The photos you posted look OK to me. The human eye will compensate for variations, such as whites, for example.
Shoot and enjoy.

HW

cherrybee · #17 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerry

chaffinch

This is a link to two that I shot a couple of days ago: a chaffinch and a blue tit with attitude.

I welcome your comments on colour - or on how to to get better shots!

Thanks
Kerry

looks fine on my old monitor.I love the blue tit with attitude that really made me smile lovely photos

Kerry · #18 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrybee

looks fine on my old monitor.I love the blue tit with attitude that really made me smile lovely photos

Thanks for taking a look Cherrybee. The blue tit just looked as though he was saying 'Oy, who gave you permission to take a photo!' Just loved his expression.

Kerry

Kerry · #19 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 01:07 PM

Many thanks to those who have taken a look. If they look OK, then I will forget the calibration as it is just one more aggravation that I don't need.

Kerry

nightshade · #20 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 01:09 PM

Monitor Calibration and Profiling

Kerry this link works as does thePC World link

Ollie · #21 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 01:12 PM

Love the Chaffinch Kerry that's a great shot and the colours of both of them look fine to me, I'm on a laptop by the way not that it makes much difference, but if my laptop displays the colours about right there's a good chance most people will see them as they are meant to be, so I would say as others have suggested if you are happy with them that's all that matters.
Roger

Kerry · #22 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

Monitor Calibration and Profiling

Kerry this link works as does thePC World link

Thanks Nightshade. I have just tried the PC World link again and it works fine this time.

I shall book mark both and have a read.

Kerry

Kerry · #23 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie

Love the Chaffinch Kerry that's a great shot and the colours of both of them look fine to me, I'm on a laptop by the way not that it makes much difference, but if my laptop displays the colours about right there's a good chance most people will see them as they are meant to be, so I would say as others have suggested if you are happy with them that's all that matters.
Roger

Thanks Ollie for checking. I was pleased with the Chaffinch as they are hard to get close to and I only have a 70-300mm lens.

Kerry

WestLothian · #24 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 10:08 PM

I have a problem with my monitors that goes beyond the Gamma and Kelvin settings. I have installed Powerstrip 3.73 which is very good for calibrating most monitors. I also use the test facilities at The Gamma adjustment page

The trouble concerns a new Dell laptop which has an excellent 1920x1200 display that has the ability to discern different low contrast grey levels very close to black. If I use elements 5.0 or Bibble to get a picture "just-right" on the laptop (which is carefully calibrated to 2.0 for Mac/PC web browsers), it will seem dark when reviewed on a 1600x1200 Sony with the same Powerstrip 3.73 adjusted gamma settings.

I have done checks on a large number of office displays (crt & lcd) and it seems that the Dell screen is just not representative and is finer than the average. It is probably worth checking how images look on a standard monitor to be sure that others see the same thing.

peterjclarke · #25 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 11:07 PM

Kerry, I've has a quick look at both images, the Chaffinch and the Bluetit and both seem fine to me. I calibrate my Sony Trinitron regularly using a Gretag MacBeth One eye Display 2. It really depends on what you wish to do with your images. If you just like making photographs for the web and printing the odd one off for friends and family the Adobe Gamma is fine. It's trickey but not too hard. Make sure you uncheck the box 'single view only' and you have Red, Green and Blue boxes to work with. Then screw up your eyes and adjust the sliders so that the centre box appears the same as the outside box. Hardware calibration devices like the Gretag and the Spyder 2 Pro are pretty expensive and really only for the very serious recreational photographer or professional. Also the colour profiles used 'in camera' and in photoshop are different. sRGB being the default and Adobe 1998 RBG being the professional standard with a much wider colour space.