Brightness and contrast question

[superdiver]

When I post pictures on my home computer I make sure the pictures are at least reasonably viewable on my monitor, yet when I get to work and view them on my work computer they seem so dark I can barely see some of them.

HOW do I know which one is right?

I have a feeling that my home computer is showing them lighter then the rest of the world is seeing them. Could some of you check out my smugmeug page snd verify if that is true?

IF it is my home computer how do I correct the problem?

[DavidW]

The only 'right' way is to calibrate the monitor(s), embed profiles in your images and use colour managed software.

Calibrating monitors is best done with a colorimeter based setup. I use Monaco OPTIX XR Pro, which is quite expensive. If you want a cheaper option, consider Pantone's Huey (the reviews I've seen seem reasonable, though I expect it's not as good as the more expensive options from Gretag Macbeth and X-Rite / Monaco). If spending any money is out of the question, install the monitor manufacturer's profile and run Adobe Gamma or similar, though this will certainly be inferior.

Colour managed software, such as Photoshop Elements and Photoshop will allow you to embed the profile corresponding to the colour space of the image. If the file comes from your Rebel XT, it will either have a profile embedded from the camera (if you use JPEG) or from the RAW converter (if you use RAW) - you just have to use colour managed software.



David

[DavidW]

Just to take an example, http://superdiver.smugmug.com/gallery/1270860/1/59638227 looks really dark on my calibrated monitor in Photoshop. The histogram confirms it - it's really dark.

The has an embedded sRGB profile, so whatever software you used embedded a profile - if you didn't post-process, that's expected, as the camera will embed a profile.



David

[superdiver]

OK, thanks.,...

that at least gives me somehting to compare it to....and to base modifications on...

[superdiver]

Played with curves and the auto level adjust. Helped alot, but I still have alot to learn in PPing


What is your sequence in PPing...

I usually need to crop, lighten and adjust colors, I like to unsharp mask and use a noise reducer and sometimes I like to compress for the web.

Is there a particular order this should all happen in?

[PhotosGuy]

Some people use hardware/software to calibrate. I use Adobe Gamma which comes with PS & still get just what I'm seeing on the monitor in a profiled print, so you'll have to decide for yourself which way you need to go. Here's some help:

Monitor calibration and gamma
Quick test:
http://epaperpress.com/monitorcal/index.html
Better info:
http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html
http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1B.html
Dry Creek "Introduction to Digital Photo Lab Profiles"
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Frontier/index.html

WEB BROWSER CHECK - Test Page - ALL FILES have embedded ICC profiles Photoshop Color Management
http://www.gballard.net/psd/go_live_page_profile/embeddedJPEGprofiles.html

[SkipD]

Here's a way that you can see if your monitor is even close to being calibrated. View the attached photos. They have easily recognized colors, and are properly exposed. All the images should seem quite normal. If you see them as too dark, too bright, or with wrong colors, you definitely need to properly calibrate your monitor.

63895

63896

[superdiver]

So yu have to have special software to callibrate your monitor? Or can you do it on the monitor itself?

[SkipD]

The only really accurate way to do it is with a combination of software and a device that you put on the front of the monitor. The device - a colorimeter - reads the intensity of each of the colors and the software then makes up a file that corrects the colors that you see. You generally start by setting the black and white points by following a procedure provided with the kit.

[superdiver]

I guess the problem COULD be the my work computer and this one (the home one) may be fine...????

[SkipD]

I guess the problem COULD be the my work computer and this one (the home one) may be fine...????Did you look at the photos I posted on both work and home machines? I'd be interested in hearing the results.

[superdiver]

They both actually looked pretty good. I COULDNT be that I SUCK at colors....LOL