Room lighting while Post Processing: Hi UHH members, Forgive me if this has been covered before. When I am on my computer and post processing images, what kind of lighting is the best?

Keith S Loc: Federal Way, Wa

Hi UHH members,

Forgive me if this has been covered before. When I am on my computer and post processing images, what kind of lighting is the best?

Dark room, light from a window, or just the light in the room?

I want to make sure I am not introducing anything that will make my image incorrect.

Thanks in advance

Keith S.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Keith S wrote:

Hi UHH members,

Forgive me if this has been covered before. When I am on my computer and post processing images, what kind of lighting is the best?

Dark room, light from a window, or just the light in the room?

I want to make sure I am not introducing anything that will make my image incorrect.

Thanks in advance

Keith S.

Dark.

bleirer

No direct sunlight, no glare from room lights on the screen, consistent every time.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Keith S wrote:

Hi UHH members,

Forgive me if this has been covered before. When I am on my computer and post processing images, what kind of lighting is the best?

Dark room, light from a window, or just the light in the room?

I want to make sure I am not introducing anything that will make my image incorrect.

Thanks in advance

Keith S.

There is actually a standard covering this process. I do not recall the number of that standard. But I do recall that in addition to specifications around the display, there are also specifications for wall color, ambient light level and color, and other factors related to visual distraction.

Most monitor calibrators include a step for measuring ambient lighting, and they may compensate for it.

KankRat Loc: SW Chicago Suburbs

Keith S wrote:

Hi UHH members,

Forgive me if this has been covered before. When I am on my computer and post processing images, what kind of lighting is the best?

Dark room, light from a window, or just the light in the room?

I want to make sure I am not introducing anything that will make my image incorrect.

Thanks in advance

Keith S.

It should not matter. Way more light comes off your monitor than ambient light in the room. just try to avoid glare. I generally look at anything I process on my iPhone because that's how most people will see them.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Dark rather than light. Calibrate computer screen, if you do that, to the darker room.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

KankRat wrote:

It should not matter. Way more light comes off your monitor than ambient light in the room. just try to avoid glare. I generally look at anything I process on my iPhone because that's how most people will see them.

Well, i’m guessing that a lot of us expect our photos to be viewed on something a bit larger and with better resolution and color gamut than an IPhone. If that’s the case, then yes, the ambient light level, and even the color of the room does matter. Maybe Bill (burkphoto) will comment - he’s an expert on the subject.

kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

I use what is called a Day Light Bulb in my computer room . This is where I work on my photos and print them . I use high end BenQ monitors that are calibrated .

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Keith S wrote:

Hi UHH members,

Forgive me if this has been covered before. When I am on my computer and post processing images, what kind of lighting is the best?

Dark room, light from a window, or just the light in the room?

I want to make sure I am not introducing anything that will make my image incorrect.

Thanks in advance

Keith S.

Use this method and you don't have to worry, meter the outside of the window, make sure your not any higher than 1/250 sec. (max. flash speed for my Nikon) back up, tilt your flash up and behind you, keep flash in TTL and camera in manual for your outdoor settings, and shoot. Now the interior will be lite at the same level as the outside lighting, nothing could be easier.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

kubota king wrote:

I use what is called a Day Light Bulb in my computer room . This is where I work on my photos and print them . I use high end BenQ monitors that are calibrated .

A lot of the BenQ monitors also come with a light shield to help deal with reflected light.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

billnikon wrote:

Use this method and you don't have to worry, meter the outside of the window, make sure your not any higher than 1/250 sec. (max. flash speed for my Nikon) back up, tilt your flash up and behind you, keep flash in TTL and camera in manual for your outdoor settings, and shoot. Now the interior will be lite at the same level as the outside lighting, nothing could be easier.

What does this have to do with post processing room lighting?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

aphelps wrote:

What does this have to do with post processing room lighting?

I saves the need for post processing. First rule of photography, "if you can, do it in the camera first".

kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

dsmeltz wrote:

A lot of the BenQ monitors also come with a light shield to help deal with reflected light.

Yes , both of my monitors have the top and side shield on them that came with the monitors

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Keith, the lighting in my "photo lab" is just enough to see that I don't bump into things. More importantly, I suggest you invest in a monitor calibration tool, such as a Datacolor Spyder. This will allow you to calibrate your monitor with the light in the room in which you process your photos. However, even they suggest avoiding bright lighting, especially falling directly on the monitor screen.
--Bob

Keith S wrote:

Hi UHH members,

Forgive me if this has been covered before. When I am on my computer and post processing images, what kind of lighting is the best?

Dark room, light from a window, or just the light in the room?

I want to make sure I am not introducing anything that will make my image incorrect.

Thanks in advance

Keith S.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Wow!!! I never thought of this method. I usually just keep my blinds closed and enough light to see things I might bump into whilst moving around. Then, I calibrate the monitor in those conditions. There may be something to having the room as bright as it was outside when I took the photograph. Well, it's too early to get much more snark out of my keyboard.
--Bob

billnikon wrote:

Use this method and you don't have to worry, meter the outside of the window, make sure your not any higher than 1/250 sec. (max. flash speed for my Nikon) back up, tilt your flash up and behind you, keep flash in TTL and camera in manual for your outdoor settings, and shoot. Now the interior will be lite at the same level as the outside lighting, nothing could be easier.