Troubleshooting Monitor Callibration

[Calypso b]

Hey guys,

So I am calibrating my monitor for the first time - fun stuff. Never even new I had to do this before last saturday in speaking with a photographer friend. Anyway, I rented one and it is the X-rite i1. I did everything it said to do and then it made the changes for me on my laptop. Problem is it seems that my screen has this blue tinge to it now.

Is it because I am working underneath a light that is really yellow? Is it because the thing didn't do it properly? Or could it just be that I am not used to it because before it was so out of whack?

Help! I have to have this thing returned to the camera store by tomorrow at 10! Thanks!!!!

 

[Big Mike]

It's hard to say what the problem is. Maybe call up the place where you rented it (where was it; The Camera Shop? Vistek?) Maybe you could even take your laptop in and have them walk you through it.

You do need to realize that laptop screens are not great for calibration...but you should be able to get close. Also, using a laptop to edit photos isn't really the best idea. Besides the screen not bring ideal for calibration...it's a laptop. The screen angle might be different every time you use it. You may use it in a different location, with different ambient lighting...all of which may alter your perception of color & brightness.

If all you have is a laptop, then it might be worth it to get a desk top monitor and use that as your display while editing photo....at least while doing critical color & brightness adjustment.

 

[Garbz]

Is it because I am working underneath a light that is really yellow? Is it because the thing didn't do it properly? Or could it just be that I am not used to it because before it was so out of whack?

All of the above.

The primary purposes of applying calibration is:
- Ensure consistent colour response to a tone curve
- Provide information to the system about colour capabilities of the monitor (ICC profile)
- Match white point.

The last one is where you're falling down. The white point becomes important when comparing things, such as a print in a calibrated lightbox, or if you have two monitors side by side. But really this is similar to going outside with yellow ski goggles on, when you take them off the world will look blue.

Your eyes naturally adjust their white point to the brightest thing around. The best way to set your monitor (excluding any comparison requirements listed above) is to set your monitor to "Native Whitepoint" meaning it won't change it, since any change from default will result in less fidelity for all but the best monitors. Then dim the room lights. The i1 Display software has the ability to show the environment brightness, so try and make your room under 70lx and your eyes should adjust.

The other option is to measure the white point of the lights in the room and match that in calibration, but if you have anything other than "daylight" lightbulbs you're going to be out of luck as most lighting is naturally very warm (90W incandescent is 2800K).

Most monitors ship with a native white point between 5000-6000K, the default option for calibration software is 6500k (or D65) so "it looks blue" is a very common first concern. Personally I match my screens to each other at 5000K (or D50) for the exact same reason and it's only 200k off the native white point of my screen.