Room lighting for post processing: Hi, Compared to the white of my monitor (iMac) all of my photo paper looks a bit gray. So pure whites in my images do not print out correctly. Since...

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Hi,

Compared to the white of my monitor (iMac) all of my photo paper looks a bit gray. So pure whites in my images do not print out correctly.
Since the paper itself looks less than pure white I think I can rule out monitor calibration.
I'm thinking it is the room lighting.

Does anyone know of good, not too expensive lightbulbs (standard base) that are a good choice for photo editing and print viewing? (right color temp etc)
I don't mind spending a bit more for the right bulbs but I'm not a pro and the room lighting designed specifically for photo editing is a bit beyond my ability to rationalize the expense.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Psergel wrote:

Hi, br br Compared to the white of my monitor (iM... (show quote)

I have my computer in a room, where no light from the window shines directly on the monitor. The walls are painted a light gray (somewhat lighter than the 18% grey card I would think, although I've never really compared it). For lighting I use an Ott-light, placed in such a way that it does not hit the monitor right on. I believe these lightbulbs are in the category of "full-spectrum lights".
I don't do my own printing, but any photos I have sent to a lab, with the note "do not colour-correct" have come back quite satisfactory.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Morning Star wrote:

I have my computer in a room, where no light from ... (show quote)

Thanks for the response

Is this the sort of thing you have? Is it the only light you have on when editing?

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Psergel wrote:

Thanks for the response

Is this the sort of thing you have? Is it the only light you have on when editing?

Yes it is. Now, I must say also, that I rarely work on the computer in the evening. The room faces west, and in the afternoon, when sun shines on the window, it often gets too warm in that room.
So that most of my computer work there is done in the morning and definitely before about 2:30pm.
To sum it up:
No sun shining in, therefore no harsh shadows or very bright lights.
The walls a light gray paint, has some sheen but definitely not glossy (I think it's called egg-shell finish).
the Ott-lite placed so that it gives me light in my corner, but doesn't shine directly on the monitor or in my face. You'll need to experiment with placing it, I found to my left and and about 1 1/2 - 2 feet higher than my head is perfect for me. (It's a floor-stand model, as long as the cord is long enough I can place it where I want.

AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

Morning Star wrote:

For lighting I use an Ott-light, placed in such a way that it does not hit the monitor right on. I believe these lightbulbs are in the category of "full-spectrum lights".

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Psergel wrote:

Hi, br br Compared to the white of my monitor (iM... (show quote)

If you want the light in you computer room to be more natural you can purchase lamps in the daylight temperature range. Goto a light store, I ordered them, they cost more than standard light. I believe when I did this mine were 5200k or 5600k (K)=Kelvin) it was well worth it.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Psergel wrote:

......Since the paper itself looks less than pure white I think I can rule out monitor calibration......

Differences between a monitor image and a printed image can have various causes, not least of which is the printer itself, and I suspect that the less than pure white paper may be playing a part too. Neutral room lighting is always a good idea but I suspect that it's not what your problem is. I believe the prescribed solution is to align your printer with your monitor, assuming that your monitor is reasonably well adjusted.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

R.G. wrote:

Differences between a monitor image and a printed image can have various causes, not least of which is the printer itself, and I suspect that the less than pure white paper may be playing a part too. Neutral room lighting is always a good idea but I suspect that it's not what your problem is. I believe the prescribed solution is to align your printer with your monitor, assuming that your monitor is reasonably well adjusted.

I took some blank paper and some prints outside and they look fine. The blank paper is nice bright white and the whites in the print are white.
The fact that the blank paper looks kind of dingy in my office and clean and white outside suggests to me that there is something wrong with the room light.
A test print that I've downloaded actually prints out pretty darn good.....except for the whites which are the same dingy white as the blank paper.
I'd like to get to the point where a fresh sheet of photo paper looks the same in my office as it does outside. If possible.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Psergel wrote:

I took some blank paper and some prints outside an... (show quote)

It sounds like Morning Star's suggestion is the right answer. However, the colour of the walls in the room will be a factor too. If you have to experiment, getting the whites to look right sounds like the right tactic.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

R.G. wrote:

It sounds like Morning Star's suggestion is the right answer. However, the colour of the walls in the room will be a factor too. If you have to experiment, getting the whites to look right sounds like the right tactic.

The walls are a sort of beige with a slight reddish tint. I guess I'll be looking for some gray paint in the near future.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

The dreaded magnolia strikes again

. Good luck in your quest.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Thank you everyone for your advice. Looks like I have some work to do.