Images are washed out. Help - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/12/2006 01:15:20 PM · #1

Some of my challenge submissions are receiving comments like "washed out, faded, fuzzy" etc. They don't appear that way on my 20" Samsung flat screen LCD at home, but when I view them on my CRT at work they do! Is there something I can do to to calibrate my home monitor so that I see what you're seeing and visa, versa? Help!

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

10/12/2006 01:17:25 PM · #2

While there might be other factors, the resolution on your lcd is never going to give you an accurate representation of how sharp your image is when viewed on a crt. Maybe pick up a cheap 19 inch crt for editing on? Or just oversharpen everything on your lcd and hope for the best.

ElGordo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

10/12/2006 01:28:04 PM · #3

Use the "Adobe Gamma" utility that is installed in "Control Panel" on a PC when you install Photoshop. This utility will get you close enough to the correct gamma so that it will more closely match what is seen on a crt monitor. If you do not have Photoshop (or a PC) then google "Monitor Gamma" which will find numerous sites that offer free utilities for calibrating your monitor.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/12/2006 01:28:47 PM · #4

Originally posted by routerguy666:

It can and will, with a decent LCD. This is one of them.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/12/2006 06:32:50 PM · #5

Thanks to all. I'll see what I can do with Adobe Gamma tonight when I get home.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

10/12/2006 08:18:10 PM · #6

Can you see graduations of the bar or is one end solid white or black?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/16/2006 09:14:27 AM · #7

I see gradation. The black end has the least gradation. (Sorry to take so long responding. Gone for the weekend!)

David.C

10/16/2006 02:42:32 PM · #8

Does the image look the same to you at home when viewed from the web browser and from the editing program?

If so, it is probably a color-space issue.

David

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/17/2006 12:57:24 AM · #9

Does the image look the same to you at home when viewed from the web browser and from the editing program?

If so, it is probably a color-space issue.

Virtually the same when viewed on the same monitor. What's the solution?

Message edited by author 2006-10-17 01:01:59.

David.C

10/17/2006 01:47:19 AM · #10

Originally posted by cogerox:

Sorry, that should have been 'If not'.

Sounds like the gamma is different on the two monitors. Hardware calibration gives the most accurate results, but here is a very easy software calibration that gets close enough for most purposes.

David

KHolt

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

10/17/2006 05:12:35 AM · #11

I hope I can explain this clearly...

I've got a spyderpro and am really happy with the monitors that have been calibrated, the colours are rich, there is a consistency that I'm really happy with and prints come out pretty close to the screen.

My problem.

When I edit a photo on a calibrated monitor, I might dodge and burn a bit, do some masks. Upload and be really happy with myself. However, I get to work, look on an uncalibrated monitor (most of the 100+ screens on our floor) and all the editing (dodge/burn) stands out like a sore thumb!!

When I check again at home and increase the lightness with Hue/Sat I can see what the image looks like to many other people! So here are a couple of questions

1) Do I just need to take better pictures that require less touch-up?
2) Do I just ignore badly calibrated monitors (eventhough there are so many out there and the majority seem to be too bright?
3) Is there better processing / steps that avoid this problem

Here is an example that sums it up (can't believe I'm showing this image, I'm very embrassed about it) - I blantently didn't finish the editing but the essense of the problem is hopefully highlighted all too clearly.

cheers
Keith

NovaTiger

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super II for Canon

10/17/2006 05:20:29 AM · #12

What are your settings when you dodge and burn? Like, what hardness, exposure percentage, etc?

KHolt

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

10/17/2006 05:43:46 AM · #13

In the photo shown, far too high, soft brush but probably 30% exposure. I agree making this a more subtle process would help no end, but is that all that can be done.....

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

10/17/2006 07:23:13 AM · #14

Originally posted by KHolt:

In the photo shown, far too high, soft brush but probably 30% exposure. I agree making this a more subtle process would help no end, but is that all that can be done.....

IN advanced editing you can use a new layer in overlay mode, filled with 50% grey. Then paint on it with a black/white soft brush at 6% in order to get very fine dodge/burn effect. Built the effect up slowly using many strokes, then if you over do it you can switch to the white brush to tone the effect down.

This technique doesn't destroy the main image layer the way the dodge/burn tool does. Obviously this technique can't be used in basic edit challenges.

KHolt