Help with Softproofing

Can anyone suggest a good workflow to softproof for printed images that will be viewed in a room with indirect window light? The prints look pretty close to what's on screen when the prints are in direct sunlight. But when brought in the shade they turn warm and dark. I've played with adjustment layers but I can't really achieve the results I'm looking for.

For what it's worth, I'm on a 21" iMac calibrated with Spyder3Pro, working in CS4 and printing on a Canon Pro9000MkII.

Thanks!

kraaazymike wrote in post #11815636
Can anyone suggest a good workflow to softproof for printed images that will be viewed in a room with indirect window light? The prints look pretty close to what's on screen when the prints are in direct sunlight. But when brought in the shade they turn warm and dark.

Weelll... I'm afraid it's just gonna be that way. And they'll look different under a tungsten reading lamp and under fluorescent tubes.

OTOH, I have good results with displaying under the lighting condition you're describing. My monitor is set at D65 (6500k), 120cd/m2 luminance, and I edit with only the light from a 5000k low wattage bulb positioned far from my monitor. Windows are covered.

When I print, I often apply a slight brightening curve to the midtones with Photoshop.

I must admit that I'm surprised by the reality of your answer! My next question was going to be if anyone had any processes for prints to be viewed under different light temperatures. Like if I knew this print would hang under a flourescent light, I could apply "x" treatment to it in PP. As long as this is the norm, I suppose I could live with it.

Thanks again for your insight!

This is what a viewing station is for. A viewing station is a box or an area close to your monitor with controlled lighting emulating the intended display conditions. It can be as simple as a single Solux bulb in a fixture a couple feet to the side of your monitor, or an expensive professional viewing box.

http://gtilite.com/pdv​_in_use.html

I might have to try the fixture idea. I don't view myself as fancy enough to warrant a professional viewing box. Maybe some day. Definitely not at the moment!

For the most complete answer available, see here
http://www.luminous-landscape.com …_my_prints_too_​dark.shtml