You Must Calibrate!

In this digital world where we go from camera to monitor to printer/lab we are always trying to make sure our color and tone look just the way our eye would like for it to be.  That is right, each person see’s things differently!  In the film days there wasn’t much latitude to play with, as my daughter would say “Take what you get and don’t throw a fit!”.  That was pretty much the way it was with film  Different types of film gave you different color and tones and so each person used the film that was ‘right’ for them.  Well with our digital files we can adjust to our hearts content and have it ‘perfect’ but then you send it to a lab who then adjusts to their ‘perfect’.  Yes, I have had this happen many times when I used a lab that automatically adjusted my files to what they thought was ‘right’.  (sorry about all the quotes but I hope it stresses what I am trying to say)  I now use a lab that doesn’t touch my digital files so when I send them I need to make sure that what I see on my screen is what I am going to get back in print.

Monitor Calibration!  It is so important to calibrate your monitor for your lighting situation around your work area.  I try to make sure my lighting is somewhat consistent by using the same light on while I work and I have some window light coming in from my left and behind me.  My work area is in the basement so it is much darker and the window light is always bouncing off my neighbors white house so it doesn’t vary a whole lot.  Well of course when it gets DARK!

I purchased a very inexpensive calibration unit for my iMac and it has worked wonderfully for me.  I hardly ever have to have prints redone because of color!  The unit I use is the ColorVision Spyder Express2.  I try to calibrate once a month and the software reminds me when it is time again.  I have gone a few months between but I wouldn’t recommend this for an older monitor.  You simply hang the devise on your monitor and let it run!  I love this because with a 4 yo I can be doing something with her while my monitor is being made ‘perfect’.  So if you do a lot of photography and having troubles with your prints……click the link above and buy this little guy!