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How to Calibrate Your Monitor
Kamera Express
How Do I Calibrate My Monitor?
If you regularly edit photos, calibrating your monitor is something you simply can’t ignore. If you don’t, you risk working with an inaccurate display. It would be a shame to print a photo in large format only to discover afterward that the colors aren’t quite right. Fortunately, calibrating your monitor isn’t difficult at all. In this article, we’ll explain exactly how it works.
How does my monitor work?
A monitor does nothing more than display the color information contained within each pixel. It does this by mixing the colors red, green, and blue — RGB. Want to learn more about this, as well as tips for choosing the perfect monitor? Check out our article about the best monitors for photo editing.
Why should I calibrate my monitor?
Over time, your monitor’s display quality gradually changes. Brightness, colors, and contrast can all shift. Because this happens slowly, you usually won’t notice it with the naked eye. However, these subtle differences can make or break a photo.
If you edit your photos on a monitor that isn’t properly calibrated, your images may only look correct on your own screen. A properly calibrated display could show the same photos very differently.
Here’s an example. If your monitor is too dark, your photo will appear darker than it actually is. To compensate, you’ll increase the brightness of the image until it looks perfect on your screen. However, on a properly calibrated monitor, that same image will appear too bright. The same issue applies to prints. That photo that looked beautiful on your screen may come out far too bright when printed. And that would be a real shame!
How often should I calibrate my monitor?
Ideally, you should calibrate your monitor once a month. This ensures that no small inaccuracies creep in and prevents you from having to re-edit photos later on. The good news? The first calibration may take a little time, but recalibrating your monitor becomes much quicker when done regularly.
How do I calibrate my monitor
Now for the most important part: how does it work? The best method for photographers is using dedicated hardware and software from brands such as X-Rite or Datacolor. Calibrating purely by eye or with software alone simply doesn’t do your photos justice. Specially designed calibration tools ensure accurate color reproduction on your monitor, perfectly adjusted to all relevant external factors.
Step-by-step guide
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Choose the right settings
Using the software that comes with your calibration system, you’ll go through the setup menu. The exact steps differ by brand, but this is where you select the type of monitor you’re using, your preferred color temperature, and how extensive the calibration should be. -
Place the calibration device on your screen
Once you’re satisfied with your settings, the software will ask you to place the calibration device on your monitor. If your device supports it, you can also allow it to measure ambient light. This information is then included in the calibration process. Once the calibration device is positioned on your screen, the calibration will begin. This may take several minutes, during which various colors will appear on your display. -
Save your color profile
When the calibration is complete, you can save your new color profile. Some software also allows you to compare a before-and-after result. That’s often when you truly notice how important monitor calibration is. Colors suddenly appear far more vibrant, or an unwanted color cast disappears completely. You’ll wonder how you ever worked without it. -
Enjoy perfect color reproduction
Your monitor is now ready to use again. Start editing your photos and experience how much better they look on your screen. Just don’t forget to recalibrate your monitor at least once a month. Some software even allows you to set reminders, so you never forget and your edits always remain 100% accurate.
