imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

I have used Datacolor Spyder X for the past year. I think there are so many variables for synchronizing a monitor to a PC it is tough and nearly impossible even for the best tools or programs.

After a bit of logic I decided to try something different and maybe simple.

I held a large grey card next to my monitor for the first time. The day was especially overcast and dark plus the room lighting was a factor. The match was not even close. But I used the best calibration tool available... hmmm

To the chase...

Go to Photoshop and create a 4000 x 6000 pxl adjustment layer. Then fill the layer with 50% grey and save it as a Jpeg. Also kept the layer from Photoshop open on the monitor.

Next, open the grey jpeg layer just created on your Mac or pc. Now you can see the same 50% grey image displayed on both screens. You will most likely see two different shades of Grey like I did... and a different shade than the gold standard physical grey card you have in your hand making it three...

Do this... manually adjust the monitor color to the physical grey card. Next adjusted the Mac or pc with its custom color adjustment to the physical card and adjusted monitor. All will now match perfectly and you will be able to adjust easily for the effects of ambient and room light at any time.

The most important point is you can get perfect white balance between the two screens with out buying expensive calibration gear that doesn't work.

If someone says their fancy calibrator gizmo does work, then try comparing your physical grey card to you calibrated screen, you may be amazed...

I verified the results on another pc, a tablet and my Samsumg fold for comparison under the same ambient and in the same room lighting. I also re edited another layer and checked it with the eye dropper in Photoshop and it was perfect...

Oh, and all of those pre programed white balance options like I have on my Macbook Pro M2Max are useless...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Hmmm.
So glad I don't worry about calibrating my monitors.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Me too!

I used to have a color darkroom. Prints took a long time, especially if you had to do them over. I did learn when to 'feel' that my prints represented what I remembered from the scene. I still do that even though it is all digital now.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Now if people would understand and accept the fact that most people won't perceive things as the photographer does due to their individual eye and mind characteristics. Not everyone sees colors, hues, contrast, and brightness the same way.
But, the photographer makes things look the way he wants to because of his individual perception characteristics.

BebuLamar

I do calibrate my monitors and my prints look closely to what I see on the monitors. That's what important to me. I don't share my images so I don't care whatever others see.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

You understand.

BebuLamar

Now what kind of lighting do you use to view the gray card?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I've been using a Datacolor Spyder for a number of years. There are a couple of important things to remember. The first is that these are do not make precision adjustments. Mine chooses one of 12 possible steps of correction. Second is that the system chooses the correction based partly on an analysis of room lighting at the time of calibration. If you do not maintain the measured environmental conditions as part of your work routine, the correction may not be valid. Additionally, your monitor may make changes based on room lighting changes or manually selected brightness changes (of screen wear out). It's not a "once and done" thing.

theehmann

😂😂😂😂

imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

All light that is hitting the card at the time of calibration, window and artificial. Your monitor will then match the physical card no mater the changes that come in the room because you have adjusted to the physical card.

imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

Yes, thats why I manually adjust and turn off the auto features...

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Interesting post--thanks!

Question: Do your prints match your screen?

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

https://www.color-blind-test.com/color-blind-tests/ishihara-test/hidden-plates.html

I have a few friends who believe they have perfect color vision and declare these tests flawed.
Pride and perception are closer than they think. Or not?
They all make me . . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Your Deutan Color Blind Friend

tcthome Loc: NJ

The Same here. That is how/why I got into screen calibration. When I purchased the Canon Pro100, I also purchased the Xrite i1 Display Pro, (now Calibrite for the consumer line) after watching vids online about printing. The Xrite i1 Display Pro adjust for the Ambient Light with the option to Ambient Light Adjust (which I do just before a print) without opening the program from the little hidden Icon Tray on the Taskbar using Windows10.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Absolutly!!! For those that print & calibrate, don't re-calibrate for 6 months or more & see if your prints/monitor match or slips away from accurate. Mine did. Re-calibrate & what do you know, all good.