Spiney Loc: Reading, PA

I would like to know what lighting you are using to view your inkjet prints to check color / density?

I know when I sent my prints out to a Pro Lab, H&H Color Labs they suggested using a light fixture with a 5K fluorescent ring lamp with a warm white incandescent lamp in the center. Their reasoning was no one has daylight balanced lighting in their homes. It's usually mixed lighting.

I'm looking for the best way for us average semi-pros to reasonably match monitor to prints.

Thanks in advance. Spiney-Dave

Canon Pro-100 & 10. Dell UH2413 monitor. Datacolor Spyder 5 Pro

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I am refurbishing a 2 story 35yo condo. I replaced the simple light at the head of the stairs with a nothing fancy 5 fixture light bar from Lowes. The 5 fixtures spread out the light evenly on the 6' wide photo display wall. The LED bulbs are 5200 K 60W equivalent from Walmart; horizon sunlight is 5000 K. All of my lighting has been replaced with 5200 K LED.

Consider that most homes depend on interior lighting and have window covering. Displaying of our photographs is generally in the evening when we have friends over. UV in the home is low suggesting that the UV Protected OEM inks being a necessity if you are to enjoy your prints 100 years from today. Aftermarket inks are also UV protected, the additives are very low cost and so OEM is a myth I have used aftermarket Contentious ink supply for years. The human eye has limits of perception regarding color and density and our memory of what the color of the scene photographed compared to or photographs is also a factor that is also purest mythology swirling in the lens circle of confusion which they consider to be a black hole.

I do a canvas wrap on Hard Board elevated 3/4 " from the wall with blocks from EBay. ON 1 Resize is used to give mirror galley wrap quickly/easily.

I coat my photos with a inpercivable thin coating of paraffin applied with a flat nap paint applicator water proofing them should a SOOC Purest see my creative artistic photos and sneeze or spit on them. expression of disgust.

Should one have a UV phobia additives are available in the DIY Candle trade to prevent color wax from fading.

The Watcher

Prior to finding a used viewing station for a reasonable price, I used a light that I purchased from Home Depot. It was a small fluorescent fixture that used an 18 inch tube. Then I looked for a 5000k tube and was surprised to find one with a color rendering index of 97%. The fixture had a long cord that let me move the light easily. When I was printing I kept the light turned on so it would better render the color. When the print was done I would lay it on the printer and pass the light over it by hand checking the colors. It seemed to work quite well. I’ve viewed prints made by this method at my real viewing station and saw no reason to reprint.

This fixture is similar to mine. The switch on mine was located on the top.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-1-Light-White-Fluorescent-Ceiling-Closet-Flushmount-CUC8-15-120-LP-S1-M4/202193137