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MONITOR CALIBRATION
Test Page 
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From Forum Topic: |
 Checking your monitor calibration
Here's a
quick visual check for bit depth (should be set to 32 bits TRUE COLOR in
display properties):
This sepia toned photo should show smooth transitions in the sky and NO
banding or posterization.
Here's a quick visual aid to check the gamma and basic color neutrality of
your display:
Highlights: Bars 1 & 2 should appear slightly different in brightness.
If they look the same, you'll lose highlight details.
Shadows:
Bars 5 & 6 should also be slightly different. If they both appear
equally black, you may lose shadow detail.
Color: Bars 2,
3 & 4 should be neutral gray. If you see a blue or red tint in any of them
(it will be rather subtle unless your monitor is WAY off), then you can't
gauge accurate color in your photos.
Monitor Calibration
There are two methods of monitor calibration: software and hardware.
Software calibration (such as
Adobe Gamma) helps you judge the gamma and color of your display to get
in the "ball park".
Hardware calibration uses a color photometer
that attaches to your display to "read" the colors during set up. This is
the best way to get accurate colors (and match to your printer profile), but
you'll need to buy the device. The most popular systems are the ColorVision
Spyder2 (about $160) and the GreytagMacbeth Eye-One (about $240) and they
can calibrate and profile both your monitor and printer. If you want
accurate color reproduction, hardware calibration is essential.
Here are two resources on the web for learning about color calibration:
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration.htm
http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html
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Checking Shadow Detail: |
Check
for gamma and shadow detail
This
image should be neutral gray (no tints) and the TEXTURED table top under the
vase visible in the lower 1/3 of the frame, along with a shadow and
reflection of the vase.
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Checking Neutral Gray: |
| | Check
for tints or hues
This image (taken
from the Fred Miranda website) has pure neutral gray background colors and
should not appear to have any tints.
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All photos are Copyright © by their respective owners
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