The only standard for calibration on DPC is the range of grey tones near the bottom of every voting page. Being able to see all the tones is good, but is not the same as calibrating the monitor to know you are seeing the image the same way the photographer did when it was submitted. Outside of DPC, there is a standard for image viewing on the Internet which sets the gamma at 2.2 -- more technical info on this standard here.
Different people have different needs when it comes to calibration, but I have noticed 3 distinct camps with regard to methods of calibration, they are the Justification method, the Visual method and the Hardware method.
The Justification method works something like this. Sit under normal working conditions and contemplate an image on your monitor. Now, without touching anything, convince yourself of the following logic:
I don't know if my monitor is calibrated, but I do know most of those viewing my images will not have calibrated monitors. So, if I calibrate my monitor they will not be able to see my images the same as I do -- just like they can't now, so no net loss. However, if I leave my monitor uncalibrated I can trust the monitor manufacturer to have built it according to some standard and therefore will be close to the same 'out of calibration' as everyone elses. Thus, to have the best chance of my images being seen as I see them I should not calibrate.
The Visual method is a method of calibrating your monitor to your eyes according to a series of tests you perform. A number of methods exist that fall into the visual catagory, but the easiest to perform (while still getting good results) is here.
The Hardware method involves the purchase of an electronic device to look at the screen for you. It reads values on the screen and creates a profile color managed applications can use to adjust each tone and compensate for any variances in devices. As Nick mentioned the ColorVision Spyder is one choice, although there are others.
Which is best for you? Only you can decide that. The hardware method is benificial when you want to make absolutely certain the third pixel from the left of the middle of the bridge on her nose is a certain shade no matter what it is viewed on -- from monitor to printer to projector and more. It is by far the most exact, but is also the most expensive and requires more dedication to calibrate the entire system -- calibrating just one piece won't provide the same benefits. The Visual method is not that precise, mainly because it adjusts for the entire range of tones at once, instead of treating each tone seperately. A few tones may vary from the standard here and there, but over the entire range things are good. The justification method is probably the one for you if reading this post has given you a headache. :D
David
Message edited by author 2005-11-06 17:01:08.
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