Monitor Calibration
Each computer monitor will display an image somewhat differently — from one degree to another. Unless the monitor has been calibrated for color accuracy, you can't really trust the images that it displays as being true to reality.
Images should not be adjusted for color in Photoshop unless the user has made at least a rudimentary attempt to adjust the monitor's calibration so it will display an accurate image. Otherwise one risks actually damaging color that may have already been accurate as it was.
— Case Study —
A client called one day with a problem. The company had recently purchased some design software. While working on the first project she had chosen a royal blue color which pleased her. Upon printing out the document on their desktop printer she noticed that something was amiss: the carefully chosen royal blue color printed out as purple!
She called asking "How do I know which color is right – my monitor or my printer?" The reply, "probably neither one," was not what she expected . . .
After providing her with a PMS Pantone Matching System color chart chart (so she could quickly pick an ink color that she could trust as accurate) we discussed the necessity of color calibrating her monitor and printer for predictable color results.
Here is a basic starting point: in this chart below, do you see a subtle difference between 0 and 10? — how about 95 and 100?
Also, they should appear totally grey, with no color in them at all.
There are three levels of monitor calibration. The cost to do this ranges from free to expensive. Which one you choose depends on your level of need for color accuracy in your monitor:
- Basic calibration
- Software calibration
- Hardware calibration
Basic Calibration - a rudimentary calibration to your monitor is made by simply adjusting the brightness and contrast settings with the aid of a grayscale chart, such as the one above from ePaperPress.com. You can download a larger chart by clicking here, from PhotoFriday.com.
You should be able to distinguish a subtle difference between the squares marked 0 and 10 in this grayscale.
Square 0 should be perfectly black, and 10 should be barely visible.
If the squares marked 0 and 10 in the grayscale appear to be the same, you need to calibrate your monitor's black point to correct it.
You should also be able to distinguish between the squares marked 95% and 100% in this grayscale. If they appear to be the same, you need to calibrate your monitor's white point to correct it.
If they appear to be the same, then contrast is too high, and highlights are blocked.
The above squares are shades of grey. If they appear to have a color tint, you can correct problem by calibrating monitor gamma for each color channel individually.
As you stand back from your monitor, the lines surrounding the middle square should blend with the square. If the middle square is darker or lighter than the background you need to calibrate monitor gamma.
Most monitors work fine with contrast set at 100%. If you find this too bright, or highlights are blocked, decrease contrast and recalibrate the black point. Some monitors come with calibration software; please check your monitor installation CD before performing this adjustment.
Many computer monitors come from the factory preset for an office working environment which may not be ideal for viewing and editing photographic images. For color accuracy and consistency work in a darkened environment.
Software calibration - a better method to calibrate your monitor involves the use of special software. Adobe Gamma comes packaged with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. QuickGamma is free software based on Norman Koren's gamma and black level chart. Macs come with ColorSync.
It takes just a few minutes to make these adjustments. As a reward you will view images on the web as they were designed to be viewed. If you're a web designer, or share images with others, then it's imperative that you calibrate your system to a standard.
Hardware Calibration
If color accuracy is vital to your profession, specialized software used in conjunction with a colorimeter (a device that reads the actual color values produced by your monitor) needs to be purchased to obtain dependable calibration.
Room lighting also needs attention. For precise color image editing, the best work space is a darkened room where the overall illumination is lower than the brightness output of the computer monitor.
Some calibration systems worth looking into are ColorVision Spyder and the x-rite i1 Display.
Credits: Thanks to Tom Niemann for much of the content on this subject! Please visit his photography website for more information on calibration and many other subjects.
Norman Koren, another photographer, also has a website containing extensive information on calibration.
Monitor calibration is the first (and most important) step in complete Color Management. Color Management is calibrating and controlling color accuracy between various devices, such as monitors, scanners and printers.
Whether you are color correcting a photo to get a print made, or preparing artwork for a printing company or website, test and correct your monitor calibration if you want predictable results.
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