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A Clients Guide To Why You Should Calibrate Your Computers Monitor.
The shots are back and look gorgeous, with a little 'enhancement' in Photoshop they'll be prepared for the printer and you're new product brochure will be landing on your desk before you know it. Why then when you get your brochure back from the print house does your product photography quickly look so wrong? The photos are way too bright and contrasty, all those subtle tones are lost and there appears to be a ugly colour caste? Why has this happened? You've paid out thousands investing in top of the range computer hardware and software licensing, you even read a few design books? Well in truth it could be numerous reasons nevertheless is most likely to one of or a blend of the following problems: 1. Coarse Image Editing. Untrained or incompetent Photoshop retouchers will often engage in pointless and damaging image manipulation approaches that will often end in very poor quality printing. Amateurs will often unwittingly damage much of the delicate tonal information that is contained within the picture file. 2. Conversion to CYMK. The picture files your photographer supplies you with are normally in a RGB colour space and will require conversion to a appropriate CYMK colour profile prior to printing. The picture files will necessitate careful colour conversion and ideally proofing if precise colour accuracy is required. 3. Poor Monitor Calibration. This is the big concern and the one that I believe produces the most disappointment and problems. If your monitor isn't effectively calibrated or rather you simply use the suppliers canned factory settings, there is a good probability that your monitor is misleading you! Monitor Calibration is the procedure of altering your monitors controls to achieve the most neutral display possible, including altering its luminance (brightness), white point (colour temperature) and gamma controls. If you don't work with photos on a frequent basis or you hire a design consultant (who understands the importance of tight colour management) to do your pre-press work then you might choose to simply alter your monitors controls manually, nevertheless remember not to adjust the image files as what you view on your screen will be different to what your designer and printer sees! Regardless, I strongly suggest you invest in some basic monitor calibration hardware that will come bundled with compatible profile software. You won't have to invest thousands, indeed for the price of a full set of inkjet cartridges you'll be able to buy a basic calibration device, but it will transform your digital workflow and give you the results you deserve. These relatively cheap devices will calculate your monitors imperfections and in combination with the software will work out a profile that is unique to your screen. Think of this profile as a 'filter' or 'mask' that once employed to your screen will eliminate any imperfections and will give you a entirely neutral view. This unique profile is then saved to your computers appropriate libraries. It never ceases to astonish me how even professional designers simply don't recognize or choose to ignore the significance of colour management in their workflow. Monitor calibration is a small yet crucial part of a professional digital workflow that when ignored, can cause untold disappointment and problems. So do yourself a massive favour and invest in some basic monitor calibration equipment, you'll wonder why you haven't done it sooner! Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com This article has been supplied courtesy of Andy Nickerson. Andy is a Professional Photographer Northampton with over 14 years experience in working for design and advertising professionals. Andy also creates bespoke art in Northampton from his studio Space Candy. |
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