Monitor brightness question.

wonderer

wonderer

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Ok so this may win the silliest question of the year award but how am I meant to know what is the correct exposure when editing when the monitor brightness varies so much depending on the angle im looking at it from?

I have the monitor calibrated using a Spyder pro but when editing or viewing photos in general even a small change in the position of my head in a vertical motion changes the brightness of the image im viewing. I I raise my head above the centre of the screen the image become overexposed and bringing my view below direct centre of the screen darkens the image considerably. Do I just view direct centre and forget it or what? Im worried im editing shots without knowing the true exposure im at.

Does this make sense to anyone or shall I just :exit:
 
Had a quick look and it's regarded as a good budget monitor, but not known for its colour accuracy.

If you don't want to replace it, just try and keep your eye level in the top third of the screen looking down ever so slightly to see the middle.
 
Sounds like you are using a cheap TN type monitor.

wonderer said:
Well yeah this was my first thought but its not that old and seems ok in every other regard. It is this one.

http://www.digimate.com/en/productDetail.asp?prod=352
Click to expand...

Yes you are.


Age has nothing to do with it. Ok.. so it's OK in every other regard... except the one thing that matters... it can't be relied upon to produce an accurate image. Cheap TN panels are useless for photography. They're designed to run office programs, not accurately judge colour, contrast and gamma.

All monitors do this to some extent though... even IPS. IPS panels will retain colour and gamma while moving around, but brightness can still vary quite a bit - You sit straight in front of it, have your eyes slightly above centre, and the panel dead vertical.. TN panels however... move your head enough and it all goes to hell.


If you're on a cheap laptop... you're screwed really... as a TN panel so low down and angled back up to your face is always going to be a problem.



Get a decent monitor. For me, it's one of the most important pieces of equipment you can own... equally as important as the photographic equipment. It always makes me chuckle when people spend a fortune on computers, and then the screen is an afterthought (not that I'm talking about you, or anyone specific here). They'll also spend thousands on cameras and lenses, then gasp in horror at the thought of £500 on a monitor... which I consider cheap. I'm not rich BTW... I just realise the importance of having a quality display for any critical photo work. If I had to choose, I'd rather buy cheaper cameras and more expensive monitors. After all, a decent photographer will produce great images with any camera you place in their hands (resolution permitting), but a crap monitor will always compromise the quality of your final image, no matter who created it.

If you want a decent screen that will not break the bank... look no further than the Dell U2412M.. around £200.. which is an absolute bargain.
 
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