Random Thoughts
Monitors for Photographers
07.19.06 10:13
I was contacted yesterday with this question:
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I'm starting my photography business, and doing my own color correcting. I'm PC based, and I'm looking for some recommendations on a monitor type and a calibration device and software. Any thoughts? I haven't been able to find much regarding good color correction monitors (CRT or LCD) on the internet, so here I am!
:::::::::::::::::::::::
This is a great question and I thought I'd share my thoughts on this issue:
The market is in a real interesting state with displays. Pros have always demanded CRTs -and for good reason! In the last few years, LCDs have had a bad rap. But now all the manufacturers have completely stopped making CRTs, literally forcing everyone to go LCD. The good news is, the LCD technology has become way better and has gained acceptance by pros in every vein of the imaging industry.
So with that out of the way, here are some recommendations:
1) If money is no object, Eizo makes the highest quality LCDs for color critical work. They claim to display the complete range of Adobe RGB color space which is a feat even for CRTs. The good news is if you buy an Eizo, it comes with a calibration device and software.
2) LaCie is a good option. They have always been in the business of making top level color critical displays for the industry. Pricing is a little bit better, but you give a little on the specs compared to the Eizo. They sell a calibration device that works perfectly with their monitors which I'd recommend.
3) I can't forget to mention Apple displays. I know you're on a PC, but Apple displays are compatible with any standard video card. Color management and specs are very good and all the pros I've ever spoken to are emphatic about the quality.
Apple doesn't sell a calibration device, but there are plenty to choose from and this applies to ANY brand display you end up with. I recommend one of three:
1) x-rite MonacoOPTIX or Gretag MacBeth (recently merged companies.) These devices are what most top studios use.
2) ColorVision Spyder2 - A little less expensive but a dynamite device. I am completely satisfied with the results.
One last thing to note is size. Most everyone offers a 21"-23" display. Don't go any smaller than that. For wedding post-production, size is everything. Buy the largest display you can afford without sacrificing quality. When my current display bites the dust, I'm going 30". Seem excessive? Hardly. Several reasons for going big:
-Display your images at 1:1 size! Think: Album designs and reprints. Not only can you truly see what your retouching and designs look like at a true 11x14, 22x14, etc. but you can display it to your clients so they don't have to "imagine" the size.
-Efficiency. Hunting for different windows takes time. Time is money. 5 seconds here, 10 seconds there... add it up over a month and it could have meant beating a deadline!
-Quality. Both manufacturers of 30" displays have identical specs: Dell & Apple . The specs actually beat out most of the smaller displays by a long shot as far as contrast and brightness. Do they cost a lot? YES! In fact, they require an additional $500 video card to run.
A 30" display may not be for you right now, but if you have some money to invest, it will be a great return!
-Leon
::::::::::::::::::::::
I'm starting my photography business, and doing my own color correcting. I'm PC based, and I'm looking for some recommendations on a monitor type and a calibration device and software. Any thoughts? I haven't been able to find much regarding good color correction monitors (CRT or LCD) on the internet, so here I am!
:::::::::::::::::::::::
This is a great question and I thought I'd share my thoughts on this issue:
The market is in a real interesting state with displays. Pros have always demanded CRTs -and for good reason! In the last few years, LCDs have had a bad rap. But now all the manufacturers have completely stopped making CRTs, literally forcing everyone to go LCD. The good news is, the LCD technology has become way better and has gained acceptance by pros in every vein of the imaging industry.
So with that out of the way, here are some recommendations:
1) If money is no object, Eizo makes the highest quality LCDs for color critical work. They claim to display the complete range of Adobe RGB color space which is a feat even for CRTs. The good news is if you buy an Eizo, it comes with a calibration device and software.
2) LaCie is a good option. They have always been in the business of making top level color critical displays for the industry. Pricing is a little bit better, but you give a little on the specs compared to the Eizo. They sell a calibration device that works perfectly with their monitors which I'd recommend.
3) I can't forget to mention Apple displays. I know you're on a PC, but Apple displays are compatible with any standard video card. Color management and specs are very good and all the pros I've ever spoken to are emphatic about the quality.
Apple doesn't sell a calibration device, but there are plenty to choose from and this applies to ANY brand display you end up with. I recommend one of three:
1) x-rite MonacoOPTIX or Gretag MacBeth (recently merged companies.) These devices are what most top studios use.
2) ColorVision Spyder2 - A little less expensive but a dynamite device. I am completely satisfied with the results.
One last thing to note is size. Most everyone offers a 21"-23" display. Don't go any smaller than that. For wedding post-production, size is everything. Buy the largest display you can afford without sacrificing quality. When my current display bites the dust, I'm going 30". Seem excessive? Hardly. Several reasons for going big:
-Display your images at 1:1 size! Think: Album designs and reprints. Not only can you truly see what your retouching and designs look like at a true 11x14, 22x14, etc. but you can display it to your clients so they don't have to "imagine" the size.
-Efficiency. Hunting for different windows takes time. Time is money. 5 seconds here, 10 seconds there... add it up over a month and it could have meant beating a deadline!
-Quality. Both manufacturers of 30" displays have identical specs: Dell & Apple . The specs actually beat out most of the smaller displays by a long shot as far as contrast and brightness. Do they cost a lot? YES! In fact, they require an additional $500 video card to run.
A 30" display may not be for you right now, but if you have some money to invest, it will be a great return!
-Leon
|
It's okay to be a freak.
07.10.06 11:36
(I'm a freak too.)
For the last six years I've spent nearly every free moment learning Photoshop. My background? News photography. Then wedding documentarian. Then professional retoucher. Now, I'm a digital imaging post-production specialist. I'm proud to say that I spent most of my high school and college years slaving away in a wet darkroom developing and printing. I hated it. But I'm glad to be in touch with my roots with a solid foundation.
Here I'll share my top Photoshop tips, shortcuts and secret sauce. If you're new to Photoshop, strap on your seat belts and let's go for a ride. If you're a seasoned pro, let's refine that workflow and take it to another level.
Oh- and by the way: my true weakness? I'm Leon and I'm a keyboard shortcut freak.
-Leon
For the last six years I've spent nearly every free moment learning Photoshop. My background? News photography. Then wedding documentarian. Then professional retoucher. Now, I'm a digital imaging post-production specialist. I'm proud to say that I spent most of my high school and college years slaving away in a wet darkroom developing and printing. I hated it. But I'm glad to be in touch with my roots with a solid foundation.
Here I'll share my top Photoshop tips, shortcuts and secret sauce. If you're new to Photoshop, strap on your seat belts and let's go for a ride. If you're a seasoned pro, let's refine that workflow and take it to another level.
Oh- and by the way: my true weakness? I'm Leon and I'm a keyboard shortcut freak.
-Leon