Color Management

Calibration Instructions

Calibrating your monitor to Full Color is not required; unless you choose to do you own "color correcting." I recommend you have advanced understanding of color and computer calibration if you wish to color correct your images. You should have an understanding of how to use Monitor Calibration Software.

Calibrating Your Monitor to Full Color

1. Install Monitor Calibration Software. I recommend Monaco Optix XR Pro
2. ; when purchasing Monitor Calibration Software, make sure the software allows you to edit the monitor profile the software creates, so that you can tweak your screen to match Full Color.
3. Follow the instructions to calibrate your monitor using the calibration software and puck. Following this step, you will still need to tweak the monitor profile to match Full Color.
4. Adjust Photoshop setting as shown here by going to Edit/Color Settings. Note: You can use any color space, but SRGB or Colormatch is very recommended.
5. Order an 8x10 print of a properly exposed file through Mystic Colour Lab, or Tri Colour Image, checking the Do Not Color Correct box, and type "Calibration Test Print" in the comments field. This will be your control print.
6. When you receive the control print from your print provider, place it in the photographic view box (see #3, Before Getting Started). Do not use florescent or available light.
7. Open the file in Photoshop 5.0 or later (only after Step 3 has been completed).
8. Go to Image/Mode/Assign Profile. Change to working space to what your camera is using or the color space you will be assigning to all of your images to be sent to Full Color. I recommends SRGB or Colormatch.
9. Using your control print as a guide, make any necessary adjustments to your monitor profile using your Monitor Calibration Software, and test again if necessary.
10. Check work coming back from Online Printing Stores to your monitor on a regular basis. Tweak your monitor profile using your Monitor Calibration Software as needed for best results.
11. If you wish to use my personal output profile for viewing you may download it below. It is not necessary to have XOOM STUDIOS PRODUCTIONS output profile to calibrate to us.

Click Here For Full Nattarious Colours Output Profile

Before Getting Started
When color correcting digital files to send to the lab, a neutral workspace is best. Listed below are several tips on creating a neutral environment.

1. Lighting in your computer room should be consistent; avoid bright lighting and make sure no sunlight is coming in from the windows. Make sure there is no glare on the monitor.
2. Avoid using colored wallpapers or screen savers on your monitor; the monitor background should be set to gray or a grayscale image.
3. Use a photographic view box to view the control print. The light source to view the control print should match your monitor brightness.
4. Room surroundings should be neutral.
5. When working, it is best to avoid wearing bright clothing, as it will reflect in the monitor and change color perception.

Please feel free to use my enhanced FULLColor profile attached profile.. "Non Commercial Use Only"

Thank you and regards,

JOE

Thanks for posting your tutorial Joe

I have not used that particular monitor calibration device.  
I notice that you set rendering intent to Perceptual and this may be a better setting for many photographers who do not have the time or inclination to correct out of gamut colours by hand during processing.  My preference would be to always use Black Point Compensation and I use output profiles specifically for the printer/papers I use.

Viewing conditions for your computer monitor and prints is an important part of any colour management process.

Thanks again Joe together with Richards article we are being spoilt here on this important topic... I  am sure these are going to be very helpful...  The light can be variable at different times of the day, it can be an artform in itself to get things spot on... Thanks again for your help..

No need to thank us Dan :) We all are here to help and to share with each other, aint that right! :)
You are welcome, and more tutorials are coming in the way to be posted in the tutorial section..

I will be free very soon my friend :)

JOE

Great Job Joe:)