It is no secret that each monitor has its own unique technical specifications and settings. The same color on different devices will be different. Sometimes the difference is noticeable even with the naked eye, but minor deviations from the conditional ideal can play a bad joke. Especially with those people who intend to professionally work with digital images.
The closest example is the situation that occurs after a successful photo shoot. The photographer can check and double-check the balance settings thousands of times, edit the brightness and contrast in the graphics editor, but if there are problems with the monitor, all his efforts will be in vain. It will be all the more offensive to hear negative feedback on the work done to the conscience. The reason here lies in the incorrect settings of the monitor itself.
What is a monitor calibrator for?
Each sold device initially already has factory settings. But even the average user knows that this is almost always not enough. Most people have to adjust the color balance and monitor brightness to their taste after purchase. It is easy to guess that the same parameters for a professional photographer or designer are even more important. After all, even a simple white color may appear yellowish on one screen, and blue on another.
It is extremely important for professionals that the work sent to the customer look exactly like they intended. For this, both monitors must be calibrated close to the ideal value. There are two ways to solve the problem. The first involves the use of a device called a “monitor calibrator”. But, contrary to popular belief, calibrating the LCD monitor is not necessarily buying a special device and the associated significant costs.
You can go the other way and download or purchase special programs. In this case, the color calibration of the monitor will be carried out with their help, but it will require more human participation than the hardware. Also, one should not forget that the second method is considered less accurate. As programs that replace the monitor calibrator, you can use Atrise lutcurve (paid), Cltest (free), or Natural Color Pro. In fact, there are many such utilities in the vastness of the Web, so that everyone is free to choose what they like.
Hardware calibrator for monitor: instruction
All actions in this case will be shown based on the basiCColor display 4 program. The general procedure is suitable for almost all calibrator models, with the exception of certain nuances. In this manual, Eye-One Display was used as an example.
So how does a monitor calibrator work? The first step is to connect it to the computer, after which the program window usually opens automatically. The next step is to determine the model of your device. After selection, the Connect button will become available. Important: before confirmation, place the calibrator on any matte dark surface.
After some time, you will need to specify the type of your monitor. Among the calibration methods (which the program offers several), it is better to choose "Calibration software (LUT video)", and the profile - LUT. The next step is to select the color temperature of the monitor. Fortunately, most devices are capable of measuring it on their own, just press the appropriate button and point the calibrator at a bright area of the screen. Otherwise, you will have to indicate the temperature approximately, guided by your sensations.
Now the user will have to assign a tonal scale. It all depends on the type of monitor: for most models, a value of 2.2 is best. Gamma is important so that the picture does not look too faded. Next, adjust the target brightness of the white and black dots. It is desirable to have a standard (for example, another monitor), otherwise you will have to manually enter the value. For the white point, 90-100 is recommended, for the black one you need to specify the minimum possible figure. Ideally - nativ, if there is such an item.
The proportions of contrast are determined by dividing the white level by the black level. The next important point is the “Profile”. Select 16 bit (LUT), the chromatic adaptation model of CATo2. After creating a color profile, you need to give it a name and click the "Start" button. It will start the calibration process of the monitor, which will take place on its own, without user intervention and in accordance with the specified parameters.
Checking Results
The last but obligatory stage of your actions is verification. Here the user will be shown a chart. Pay attention to ensure that all indicators remain within the green zone. This is quite difficult when it comes to household monitors. In addition, the ΔEab parameter is important, which should be less than three.