Calibrating monitors results in very dark Windows Photo Viewer image

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Grumps1974

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Martin
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I have recently calibrated my monitors with Color Munki. The results are in the main very good with all three monitors nearly completely color matched. But if I show photos using Windows Photo Viewer the pictures are VERY dark. This applies to all three monitors. Windows photo and Faststone do not suffer from this and photos are shown normally. Has anyone else experienced this? If so did you find a way to correct the problem?

I know I could just use Faststone or Windows Photo but Windows Photo Viewer is my viewer of choice.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
I am not a Windows user so apologies if I am off track here. It is my understanding that Windows Photo Viewer may not be colour profile aware and therefor could need images to be in the sRGB colour space, Faststone to the best of my knowledge is profile aware and will therefore interpret your images correctly.

So it may be worthwhile checking what colour space your images are saved with. I am sure some one with more knowledge of the Windows OS will be along soon.
 
Windows photo viewer is not colour managed so will not display correct values for a calibrated screen.

I have used IrfanvView since it came out in 1996.( updated many times) it will open just about all types of image files including raws.
It will also bulk rename and resize files extremely quickly, as well as doing a number of other useful things.
It is also free for non commercial use.
 
Does this apply if you view photos taken and edited AFTER your monitor calibration?
 
Same result here with Xrite i1 Display Pro whether using the Xrite software or DisplayCal, presumably for the reason mentioned above
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
Windows photo viewer is not colour managed so will not display correct values for a calibrated screen.

I have used IrfanvView since it came out in 1996.( updated many times) it will open just about all types of image files including raws.
It will also bulk rename and resize files extremely quickly, as well as doing a number of other useful things.
It is also free for non commercial use.
Click to expand...


Thanks I have downloaded and installed IrfanView and at first impression it looks a decent piece of software but it does not seem as straightforward as Windows Photo Viewer. If I want to see a photo in WPV I can simply double click on the file in file explorer and up it pops. Neighbouring files in the same directory can be accessed by the forward and back arrows, photos can be rotated or deleted at the touch of a keyboard button.

WPV suits my needs down to the ground. Though it looks like I have to move on though to a different app.:(
 
Grumps1974 said:
Thanks I have downloaded and installed IrfanView and at first impression it looks a decent piece of software but it does not seem as straightforward as Windows Photo Viewer. If I want to see a photo in WPV I can simply double click on the file in file explorer and up it pops. Neighbouring files in the same directory can be accessed by the forward and back arrows, photos can be rotated or deleted at the touch of a keyboard button.

WPV suits my needs down to the ground. Though it looks like I have to move on though to a different app.:(
Click to expand...

You need to make IrfanView the default program. ( which you could have done during the (installlation)
Right click on a photograph
Click open with
In the new window click on Choose default program
then browse to find IrfanView if it is not among the listed programs.
Tick always use the selected program to open this kind of file.
Click OK

Pictures will then always open in IrfanView when you double click them.
And if you hit the space bar you get the next image, Back space takes you back an image. ( you can also use the Left and right arrow keys)
Control+H takes you to 100% full size, and Enter gives you full screen with out any background objects.
L rotates the image. and H flips it, there are also many more key strokes that you might find useful.

Irfan view is a much more powerful program than Windows photo viewer you should not be surprised that it has more options.

As time goes own you will learn to love it.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Terry. The bit about setting default program I already knew.;)

However the other tips are much appreciated. Saves me time learning to use Irfan.
 
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