How to Color Calibrate Your Monitor for Photo Editing

Computer monitors do their best to reproduce colors and brightnesses correctly, but each one is slightly different.  In fact, a screen even reproduces photos differently when it starts up compared to the way colors and brightnesses look after the monitor has been running for a while.

This is a serious problem for photographers.  We are careful to set the white balance properly in Photoshop or Lightroom, but what good does it do if your screen is not properly calibrated?  Answer–none!  The same is true for adjusting color saturation, brightness, and just about everything else.

Here's a photo I edited before and after color calibrating. See the difference? Which side do you think is the color calibrated one? If your screen isn't calibrated, it can be hard to tell!

Does everyone need to calibrate their monitor?
Probably not.  If you’re just a hobbyist photographer who is learning the ropes, this probably isn’t the biggest fish you have to fry.  There are many more important things to learn in photography than color calibration; however, if you’re more serious of a photographer and want to know that your photos look their best… then it’s time to calibrate!

I will note, however, that not all photographers agree on screen calibration.  Dustin likes to do the manual calibration,  I prefer to use the screen calibrator.  It gives us something to argue about while we’re barbecuing.

Is monitor calibration only for printing?  Will it mess up my photos on the web?

No way!  The purpose of calibration is to make sure that your eye sees the photo the same way on your screen as others will see it.  For printing, you can be sure that by calibrating your screen your photo will look very close to how it looked on your computer screen.

However, when you edit on a calibrated screen and then post your photo online, it does not mean that everyone else will see the photo properly.  Their screens are most likely uncalibrated, but it is still important to calibrate.  Why?  Because computer monitor manufacturers strive to make their products reproduce colors properly, so by color calibrating, you’ll be at neutral even if some screens are off one way and others are off another way.

There is a caveat, however.  Almost without exception, computer monitors are kept brighter than a calibrated screen.  So if I edit a photo on a calibrated device, it will likely show up a TINY BIT darker on uncalibrated monitors.  Most people find that they like their screens pretty bright.  The way that I avoid this is to simply brighten my photos a TINY bit in Photoshop or Lightroom before posting on the web since I know most people will be viewing the photo on a brighter screen.

What if my monitor can’t adjust enough?

It is possible that your monitor will be off enough and not have the necessary adjustments that it couldn’t be properly calibrated.  However, the way that the color calibration tool that I personally use works, is that it simply saves a new color profile on your machine, so there is no need at all to adjust settings on the screen.  It does everything for you.

What tool do you recommend for color calibration?

No doubt, what you’re looking for is the Spyder 4 Express from DataColor.  Color calibration tools often cost over $1,000, but this little piece of love does the job for around $110.  I personally use the Spyder color calibrator and it works VERY well.  The one I use is the “Elite” not the express, but most people probably can get away just fine with the Express.  I really like the free software that comes with the tool.  It walks you through the process step-by-step and makes it amazingly simple.  You can easily calibrate the screen in just 3 minutes.

Is there a free option for color calibration?

Yep!  Windows 7 comes with a monitor calibration tool built-in.  The trouble with this and many other tools is that it is quite subjective and inaccurate, but it might be a good option for photographers who don’t want to spend a load of money on a color calibration device.  This will at least get you closer.

On Windows 7, go to  Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Display > Calibrate Color.  Then open that program which will walk you through how to get a ROUGH approximation of a calibrated screen.

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10 Easy Tips for Great Travel Photography

Travelling is all about the experience, but for us photographers it’s also about capturing the experience and being able to show others and relive the trip ourselves.  Here are 10 tips to to get great photography while you are traveling.

Gear

Photo by KhE 龙

• Less is more, so for DSLR shooters look for a wide zoom lens that covers at least 28-135.  There is noperfectlens for all situations but keep in mind you will be carrying your gear the entire trip, so my suggestion is to take no more then two lenses at most.
• Pick the right bag.  I’m a bag junkie, having four dedicated photography bags but always looking for another.  Your travel destination will help you choose what kind of bag you want, but here’s a quick primer from my experience.  Photo backpacks are great for transporting gear from point A to B but are terrible to work out of.  Sling bags are easier to get gear in and out of but are usually smaller.  I’ve never found hip bags comfortable to wear but some people swear they are the best to work out of.  The last type of bag is the overly popular messenger bag.  This is my preferred type of bag to work out of, however it took me a while to find one I really liked.  When I travel, I put all my gear in a photo backpack and pack my photo messenger bag in my checked luggage.  When I get to the location, I’ll put my gear into the messenger bag to work out of.
• Leave the kitchen sink at home.  Sure, a small, packable tripod is OK to take if it fits in your luggage and you plan on getting sunrise / sunset photos and need the stability, but you probably don’t need everything else in your camera arsenal.  Really think about where you will be going, what you will be photographing and how much stuff you want to lug around.
• Batteries, chargers and power converters are essentials!  Fully charge all your batteries before going and make sure they are in your camera and other devices.  Some airport security will ask you to turn on your camera or laptop to ensure it’s a real, working device.  If you are going to another country they may not have readily available AA batteries for your flash, take spares and/or a charger.  Likewise, look to see what power options are available where you are going and if you need an inverter or converter for your gear.  I always suggest taking a small power strip with surge protector as an added layer of protection if you are uncertain of voltage where you are charging your devices.
• Take a few microfiber cloths to keep your lenses and gear clean.  Dirt and debris can ruin equipment, so can getting caught in the rain for even a few minutes.  These cheap, very handy microfiber cloths will ensure you get clear and sharp photos and your gear is in tip-top shape.
• Take lots of memory cards!Memory cards arecheapcompared to even a few years ago, take double the amount you think you could use.

Shooting

Photo by Muffet

• The details are what make trips memorable.  For example, Miami is well known for the art deco hotels, but it’s the small details about them that make the difference.
• Get up before the sun rises one morning.  Scout a location the day or two before and plan to be there before the sun rises.  Morning light with the sun breaking the horizon can be one of the most beautiful things for any city or landscape shot.
• Be courteous of the locals.  Just because you are in a different city or country doesn’t mean everyone immediately wants to have their photo taken and pose for you.  When you shoot people, always be courteous and show them respect.  If you are in a country where you don’t speak the language of the locals, show them the photo on the LCD of your camera so they understand what it is you are doing.

Lastly

Have fun! Enjoy the vacation.  Don’t spend the entire time looking through the view finder and post processing photos at night in your hotel room.  Don’t forget to soak up as much of your travel adventure with your own eyes as possible.

As a bonus tip, take zip-top bags with you, a few in different sizes.  They take up no space and are worth their weight in gold (probably more) if you are out and about and get caught in a rainstorm.  Every photographer should have a few of them in their bag anyway all the time, if you don’t put them in!  Also worth taking along are business cards and model release forms.  If you are blurring the line between hobby photographer and professional, or you shoot stock photographs, having both business cards and release forms with you is a great way to ensure you have legal rights to use and sell the photos.  It’s also a great way to boost your business and meet potential clients while traveling.

Photo by Prabhu B

By Mike Panic 

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