Before and after calibrating my display

[Ian]

So, I installed a new SSD C: drive and clean reinstalled Windows on my desktop PC a couple of weeks ago. I covered this here:

https://www.e-group.uk.net/forum/forum/out-of-focus-area/general-tech-talk/958770-wish-me-luck-pc-surgery-today

I only got around to recalibrating my screen yesterday. I had processed some shots for the local school that Julia helps out at (English language teaching assistant). The (primary) school does a procession from the school through the centre of the village to the nearby retirement home, which is in the grounds of a rather grand house, which is now the local library. I'll post some more shots separately.

i had processed 52 shots with my uncalibrated display and then (rather stupidly) calibrated the display. Below is one frame processed pre and post calibration. They are clearly different - which one do you prefer?

[moggi1964]

The second one feels 'warmer' and pops a little more. I feel more inclined to explore the characters in the second image. Viewed on my calibrated BenQ SW270 monitor.


Highlights are blown out on the top one and the sky looks over processed on the second one. Viewed on my old and barely calibrated HP LP2475W monitor.

[Gerry]

Viewed on my uncalibrated HP Z24nf G2 monitor the second image appears to be the "better" of the two, but without having been present at the event it's impossible to say which one is a true reproduction of the scene.

[Ian]

Accuracy in relation to the real life scene isn't so important in this little test as to which version you prefer 👍

[Bikie John]

On my big calibrated monitor the first looks fairly overexposed. The brightness difference between the two is so great that it is hard to compare the colours.

Which ever is the "right" one I much prefer the second.

John

[rustyarrow]

On my imac retina screen calibrated first one looks a bit washed/pale out second look more vivid and detailed , more contrast ,I prefer second one.

[shakyHands]

I mainly prefer the second but the blue in the sky looks a little over saturated particularly high in the frame. I might just be used to the washed out sky in Perth.

[blackfox]

definitely no.2 the detail draws your eye in more

[Ross the fiddler]

From what I can see from my (uncalibrated) laptop, I would choose something in between.

[Ian]

I think it is pretty clear that the second is the preferred version, if not perfect - and that is, of course, the one adjusted with the calibrated screen.

I think I should have started from scratch, but being lazy, I simply readjusted the settings from the previous edit and this might easily have built on some basic maladjustments thanks to starting with a the uncalibrated display.

So I surely do better still!

But very clearly, the uncalibrated screen was too dark. I also needed to boost the colour saturation from the uncalibrated version.

Bottom line message - get your screen calibrated!

I use a, now-ageing, and unsupported (by X-Rite), i1Pro Revision E, spectrophotometer, which isn't really ideal for LCD displays, but it works. I had to download the Open Source DisplayCal software as the X-Rite software no longer recognises the i1Pro.

Ian

[MJ224]

I prefer the 2nd. Easily changed in PP though...

[Growltiger]

1. The amount of light in the room is important. It is best to work in a room with no bright windows, or work at night. If you are in bright environment you are likely to make your image too light, regardless of how well the screen is calibrated.

2. A tiny amount of ambient light can leak into the puck reducing the accuracy so I always calibrate in a very dark room. (I have tested this with the ColorMunki Photo I have, it calibrates both displays and printing)

3. Thank carefully about the brightness you calibrate for. I standardise on 120cd/m² but printing experts may recommend even darker.

(Are you sure the newer i1Studio doesn't support your device?)

[BDennis]

Yes second one for me.

OK - how are most people on here calibrating screens, with an external suction cap sensor device thing or just with display settings?

I’ve been trying to adjust settings on an external monitor I have to match the MacBook Pro 14 inch screen but it’s hard to get a good match.

Sometimes I look at photos on Flickr from other photographers and adjust my screen so that looks ok. My main issue has been brightness - if your screen is too bright the processed photos will look dark to others when posted online.

It seems like I need to get a calibration device but I’m not sure if with that I adjust settings on the external monitor with monitor settings or in the MacOS display settings. I guess the device will come with instructions.

Bill

[Growltiger]

Typically the calibration device first advises some monitor adjustments fo brightness and contrast.
Then it does the colours, by creating a profile for the display that is used by your operating system (Windows or macOS).

[davcoll]

I will be interested in which device people think is the best. I use a 27" Imac (Intel) and a 14" M1 Macbook Pro into an aged 32" monitor.

Dave

[Ian]

The best will be near the £200 mark - X-Rite i1 Display Pro or a Calibrite.

Ian

[MJ224]

I bought and used (once) a "coulourchecker". It made no difference to my Dell monitor. I rang the company, the reply was that modern monitors are pretty good, so there would be little or no effect on colour...

[blackfox]

And finally the words of common sense prevail .. and dell are pretty well spot on

[Growltiger]

Which company?? Dell! It isn't just about colour. Almost all displays ship from the factory set too bright and too contrasty as that is what people want.