Screen Calibration

[kathy1965]

I am so frustrated with screen calibrating. I have read everything you have written about it about 20 times and I still cant understand it. I am about ready to quit photography because of this.

I just got a new computer so I haven't calibrated this one yet, as I have been trying to read the best, correct way to do this. My last computer after calibrating was still bad.

Do I send in my prints from this computer before I calibrate, or send them in and while waiting calibrate the screen?

Lighting....the only spot in my house that I have to edit in is in the dining room. I have a patio door and a window to contend with. I only edit during the day, never at night.  Do I close the blinds (which still lets some light in but diffused), or leave them open and calibrate? Would room darkening shades work to use for the during the day? I don't use any lamp light at all. Doesn't the time of the day affect editing if you are using natural light with open windows?

As far as sending to printer, what are the steps to ensure we are on the same page as far as color? I use Millers....

 

[Damien Symonds]

7 hours ago, kathy1965 said:

Do I send in my prints from this computer before I calibrate, or send them in and while waiting calibrate the screen?

Gosh no, you don't need new prints!!!!!  The prints you already have are fine.

7 hours ago, kathy1965 said:

I use Millers....

This will be a problem. Millers and Mpix are shit.

7 hours ago, kathy1965 said:

Lighting....the only spot in my house that I have to edit in is in the dining room. I have a patio door and a window to contend with. I only edit during the day, never at night.  Do I close the blinds (which still lets some light in but diffused), or leave them open and calibrate

For the actual act of calibration, you should be in as dim light as possible.  So yes, definitely close the blinds for that.

For the actual editing, bright light is good, as long as it's not hitting you directly.

Maybe you could show me a photo of your room?

[kathy1965]

So what printing company is good in the U.S.?

 

I do close both blinds as I edit. This is the only spot in my house that I can edit.

So I don't calibrate at night in the pitch dark correct? That is what I had done before.

The blind (where the at is) would be closed for editing as it puts a glare on the screen.

[Damien Symonds]

7 hours ago, kathy1965 said:

So what printing company is good in the U.S.?

There are some reviews assembled here: http://www.damiensymonds.net/lab-reviews

Avoid any labs (like Millers) which make a calibration recommendation of 5000K or 5500K.  6500K is the modern standard.

7 hours ago, kathy1965 said:

So I don't calibrate at night in the pitch dark correct? That is what I had done before.

Well, the trouble with calibrating at night is that you have to wait until the next day to see if the calibration was successful - that is, compare your prints to the screen.  Then, if it's not successful, you have to wait until the next night to re-calibrate, and so on.

Calibration should take minutes, not days.

7 hours ago, kathy1965 said:

I do close both blinds as I edit. This is the only spot in my house that I can edit.

The blind (where the at is) would be closed for editing as it puts a glare on the screen.

Yeah, I reckon with that blind closed, this would be ok.