Beginner Monitor calibration

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dreaddan

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Dan
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Hi, after few prints that didn't turn out as I expected (darker mostly) I was wondering if it was worth getting a calibrator to try to sort out my screen?


Thanks
 
dreaddan said:
Hi, after few prints that didn't turn out as I expected (darker mostly) I was wondering if it was worth getting a calibrator to try to sort out my screen?


Thanks
Click to expand...
Depends on how much you want to see accurate brightness and colours to edit with.

Most people have bright screens, and so images tend to turn out darker when edited to look OK on the bright screen.

I got a calibrator when I got a photo book printed and it came out a bit dark. Can't blame the printer if I am not sending them good data. :rolleyes:
Once calibrated, you quickly get used to the slightly darker screen.
 
I dont really expect to have pro accirate but would be good to get close.
 
Personally, i avoided calibration for years. I ignorantly thought that it was just sales hype. my monitors at the time were high spec and came with certificates promising true colours etc. When i started printing, I was mostly disappointed that the edited picture was nothing, and i mean nothing like what was on my screen. I invested in a spider monkey colour calibration type device and i have never looked back. it is amazing what the difference is. prints never need to be re ordered since i bought it. it paid for itself within the first couple of months of not having to reprint anything!
 
dreaddan said:
Lightroom but want to get some larger prints done too
Click to expand...
at the bottom of lightroom in the print module there is a in the print job tab there is a checkbox for "print adjustment" check it and add +15 in brightness and +5 in contrast note you cannot see these adjustments in lightroom but they come out in your prints there is a video by a guy called matt kloskowski that explains it on youtube i,ll have a look for you hth mike
 
dinorock said:
at the bottom of lightroom in the print module there is a in the print job tab there is a checkbox for "print adjustment" check it and add +15 in brightness and +5 in contrast note you cannot see these adjustments in lightroom but they come out in your prints there is a video by a guy called matt kloskowski that explains it on youtube i,ll have a look for you hth mike
Click to expand...
Thanks I'll check it out.
 
forgot to ask are you using cc or an older version of lightroom as they may be different?
 
Any recommendations?
I think I might pick up a spyder 5 express and use displaycal
 
Look out for a used calibration device that is as new and boxed for maybe half price. People buy them and don't need them. Or use them once and sell them.
And you could also do the same if you wanted to.
 
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Yes that's what I'm looking out for but also want to aim for something 1/2 decent
 
I was wondering if there was one in the classified here but dont have access :(
 
Calibration and profiling is so important if you wish to produce 'accurate' prints. The exact white point (luminance) will depend on your ambient lighting but a reasonable starting point is matching white to white paper (a good piece of photo print paper is a good start).

To help in the printing process it may be a good idea to learn about printer/paper profiles and soft proofing, takes a while but worth the effort in the end.

Personally I would look at an X-rite product, according to various reports when used correctly they will produce a better profile.
 
PhilH04 said:
Calibration and profiling is so important if you wish to produce 'accurate' prints. The exact white point (luminance) will depend on your ambient lighting but a reasonable starting point is matching white to white paper (a good piece of photo print paper is a good start).

To help in the printing process it may be a good idea to learn about printer/paper profiles and soft proofing, takes a while but worth the effort in the end.

Personally I would look at an X-rite product, according to various reports when used correctly they will produce a better profile.
Click to expand...
The x-rite stuff does look better though the smile does get average reviews.
It's a shame as I missed out of a display for a good price.
 
Obsolete and probably best avoided, you are probably best looking at a ColorMunki Display, it will earn its keep, I use one to calibrate three Macs on a monthly basis to maintain screen and print matching in a colour managed workflow, no complaints at all and (IMO) a cheap and worthwhile investment.
 
PhilH04 said:
Obsolete and probably best avoided, you are probably best looking at a ColorMunki Display, it will earn its keep, I use one to calibrate three Macs on a monthly basis to maintain screen and print matching in a colour managed workflow, no complaints at all and (IMO) a cheap and worthwhile investment.
Click to expand...
Cheers finally worked that out.
Cheers
 
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