Monitor calibration with color munki display

[Molly417]

I have a 27 inch Retina display rgb led display. After reading an article of Damien's it said that if you have one of these types of screens you more than likely won't be using a color munki display to calibrate it. Does this mean it won't calibrate it at all? I'm very frustrated I just want my prints to come out right. 

[Damien Symonds]

Not at all.  Are these the instructions you've been following?

[Molly417]

Yes

[Damien Symonds]

Terrific. So explain the problem to me.  In what way is your screen differing from your pro lab prints?

[Molly417]

When I calibrate it it brings my brightness down to only four bars (iMac) and I feel like I can't edit my photos with the screen being that dark

[Damien Symonds]

That's not what I asked.

[Molly417]

I didn't get your reply until after I posted the one about the brightness. The prints are either way muted in color or have greenish tint or yellowish tint 

[Damien Symonds]

No they're not.  The prints are what they are.  Then never change.

I need you to describe the screen in comparison to the prints.

Fill in the blank:  "My screen is ________ (warmer/colder) than my prints."

[Molly417]

Colder I guess since prints tend to be yellow

[Damien Symonds]

No they don't.  Stop saying that.  Your prints are what they are.

Ok, so when you got to the troubleshooting section of my calibration instructions, is that the approach you took?  That your screen was too cold?

[Molly417]

I'm so confused.

To me the screen looks pretty warm and is way too dark after calibrating

[Damien Symonds]

Have you read this?  Could your lighting be the problem?

[Molly417]

I guess it could be. I edit with shades open during the day with no lights on and edit with lights on when it's dark out 

[Damien Symonds]

Ok, fix your lighting then re-assess, and let me know what you conclude.  Then we can discuss further.

[Molly417]

I don't have a windowless room so do I just shut the shades and turn the light on then recalibrate since that's how I will be editing?

[Damien Symonds]

Well, don't even recalibrate yet.  Just compare the prints again.

Just now, Molly417 said:

and turn the light on

Is it a good light?  Nice and white, and bright?  Not dim or yellow?

[Molly417]

ceiling light is a bit warm.....When comparing this image to a print I would say the screen is a little warmer. I have the brightness turned all the way up though.

[Damien Symonds]

Then your screen will be much too bright, yes?

[Molly417]

I actually think it looks fine with the brightness up all the way the colors seem richer and the whites are actually white

[Damien Symonds]

No, that's utter BS.  No way does it match your prints with the brightness way up.

[Molly417]

I know this is a terrible example and isn't how you're supposed to compare prints to screen since screen is back lit. This is a print from mpix ...this is how bright the screen is for this compare. This is what the color munki calibrated the screen to. I think it looks good on screen but I think the print looks awful. In natural light the print isn't too bad but it does not match the screen 

[Damien Symonds]

2 minutes ago, Molly417 said:

In natural light the print isn't too bad

Your room has to BE natural light.  Or the equivalent of natural light, that is.

So this seems that your room is not well lit after all?

[Molly417]

I closed my shades to the window and turned on my ceiling light. I thought that's what the one article said to do since I edit with the light on once it gets dark outside. So keeping shades shut and having light on would keep it consistent all day....but my ceiling light is not very bright and warm even though it's one of those newer bulbs

[Damien Symonds]

3 minutes ago, Molly417 said:

I closed my shades to the window and turned on my ceiling light. I thought that's what the one article said to do since I edit with the light on once it gets dark outside.

Yes, that's right.

But then you said that your prints look different in natural light to what they do in your room light.

That means your room light isn't good enough.

[Molly417]

Ok so what do I need to do. The room I have the computer in is really my only option