Monitor color temperature

[msvadi]

A quick question. My monitor has two settings, 9300K and 6500K, which one should I use? It was running at 9300K previously.
Thanks.

[maderito]

Quick answer: 6500K

See this tutorial on color management: http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps8-colour/ps8_1.htm - page 3/step 8. The recommendations are consistent with most others I've read.

BTW, if you hadn't planned to, take the time to do the entire monitor calibration while you're at it - it's painless 8)

[CyberDyneSystems]

But on the other hand,. My monitor is a disaster @ 6500K :(

So ,.. I think it is a little too complex from one monitor to the next...

[msvadi]

Thanks!

Right now I'm at my monitor calibration ;) Just want to be sure I'm doing it right.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Nice link Maderito!

[maderito]

Great link indeed.
He mentions there a possible problem: in Photoshop color settings Monitor RGB is different from a profile created by calibrating software. But he does not say anything about reasons for this.

I wonder also if it makes any sense to set adjusted white point different from hardware white point. 6500K appears too yellow. On the other hand, I'm used to 9300K.

Once you've created and saved a monitor profile (say using Adobe Gamma), PS automatically uses this profile for "Monitor RGB". You can tell this is so under color settings because the RGB Working Spaces will include "Monitor RGB - XXX" where XXX is the name of the profile on which your calibration was based.

If you select the Monitor RGB as you work color space, you are no longer in the PS colored managed environment. You're seeing (and editing) your image as it would appear on your monitor outside of PS.

No matter what working color space you use (typically sRGB or Adobe RGB), you can check how the image will appear on your monitor (outside of PS) with - View->Proof Setup->Monitor RGB, and then make sure that "proof colors" is checked under View->Proof Setup.

9300K looks bizarre on my monitor (very blue white) - but maybe if I stared at it long enough, I'd convince myself that it was ordinary white. Then anything at a lower color temp would look yellowish.

[John_T]

9300K is the default on most monitors and is intended for most office work, that is why most people become used to it and think that should be standard. It is not possible to calibrate a monitor for photo work at 9300K.

The standard for photo work is 6500K and 2.2 gamma. Because you are used to 9300K, 6500K will look too yellow, but once you have calibrated to 6500K and 2.2 gamma your photos will display correctly and you will gradually re-educate your eyes to seeing that as standard. Actually, when your monitor is calibrated correctly, your programs system wide will display colors correctly. Once your eyes become re-educated, 9300K will look like the North Pole!

[chris.bailey]

9300K is the default on most monitors and is intended for most office work, that is why most people become used to it and think that should be standard. It is not possible to calibrate a monitor for photo work at 9300K.

The standard for photo work is 6500K and 2.2 gamma. Because you are used to 9300K, 6500K will look too yellow, but once you have calibrated to 6500K and 2.2 gamma your photos will display correctly and you will gradually re-educate your eyes to seeing that as standard. Actually, when your monitor is calibrated correctly, your programs system wide will display colors correctly. Once your eyes become re-educated, 9300K will look like the North Pole!

Even if your eyes are not calibrated to be able to see it :lol:

[John_T]

Then better get some prescription sunglasses...

[scottbergerphoto]

I use two computers and monitors in my work area. The one that is calibrated and set to 6500K is darker and not as pleasant to look at as the other. But the end result is that the pictures I print on an Epson 2200 look virtually identical to the monitor calibrated and set at 6500k.
Scott

[msvadi]

Great link indeed.
He mentions there a possible problem: in Photoshop color settings Monitor RGB is different from a profile created by calibrating software. But he does not say anything about reasons for this.

I wonder also if it makes any sense to set adjusted white point different from hardware white point. 6500K appears too yellow. On the other hand, I'm used to 9300K.

Once you've created and saved a monitor profile (say using Adobe Gamma), PS automatically uses this profile for "Monitor RGB". You can tell this is so under color settings because the RGB Working Spaces will include "Monitor RGB - XXX" where XXX is the name of the profile on which your calibration was based.

If you select the Monitor RGB as you work color space, you are no longer in the PS colored managed environment. You're seeing (and editing) your image as it would appear on your monitor outside of PS.


Thanks, it's clear to me now :)