In Display Calibration 101: Step-By-Step With Datacolor's Spyder4Elite, we discussed one specific way to dial in your monitor; that is, to use the Spyder4Elite package to create a software look-up table (or LUT). This approach is both easy and relatively accessible, requiring very little knowledge of or training in the principles of display calibration and imaging science.
But many readers commented that they wanted to learn more about adjusting their display's controls to achieve the same results. There are many tools available that can help you do this, and they'll be the subject of future articles. In fact, our next installment will cover the use of the CalPC package from SpectraCal. Today though, we’d like to lay a little groundwork so you know exactly what you’re in for.
There are two main reasons to calibrate any display. One is to match it to the other devices in the production chain like cameras and printers. In a photo studio, it’s crucial that the camera, printer, and monitor all conform to the same color and gamma profile. That way, what the photographer sees through the lens is what he sees on paper and on the screen. The second reason, the one we’ll be exploring here, is to match your display to a particular standard.

Why match a standard? It’s simple, really. Nearly every game or movie you view on your computer is mastered to the Rec. 709 video standard. This is nothing more than a specific set of parameters for color gamut, white point, and gamma. It covers other areas too, but for the purposes of display calibration, we only need to worry about those three. We’ll discuss what those parameters are and their importance in the first four sections. But calibrating your display to that standard ensures that you see exactly what the content creator saw.
There’s one more thing we’d like you to keep in mind as you move through the next few pages: the priorities of imaging science, a science of perception. How can one create a two-dimensional picture on a video display that naturally and accurately represents three-dimensional reality? Accepting the limitations of that display, we have to know how human beings perceive color, light, and detail.
To that end, imaging science as we know it is based on four elements. They are, in order of importance: dynamic range, color saturation, color accuracy, and resolution. Simply put, standards like Rec. 709 are intended to maximize those four elements. When all four are satisfied, you're looking at the most realistic image possible.
As we move on, we’ll go behind the scenes in the four major areas addressed by display calibration: levels, gamma, grayscale, and color. Understanding those principles means you’ll know exactly what’s happening when you move that brightness or RGB slider. And you’ll be able to identify your own display’s deficiencies and how to correct them. It's a wild ride, but we think you'll find it rewarding.
- The Two Reasons To Calibrate Your Monitor
- Levels: The Key To Contrast And Detail
- Gamma: The Key To Maximum Image Depth
- Grayscale: Why White Is The Color Of Everything
- Gamut: What Color Is Your Monitor?
- Application: How To Adjust Levels
- Application: How To Adjust Gamma
- Application: How To Adjust Color Temperature
- Application: How To Adjust Color
- Calibrate Your Monitor For A Better Picture
I have no idea how my monitor was off until i saw the patterns
Now perfectly set for brightness/contrast:first,third,and fourth pattern(although on this i notice cliping on the blue).
However second pattern couldn't set it right.Darkest bar which should be almost cliping to the background is too "black",and the next "12" bar is more closely match to the background in colour.
Any thoughts someone? I use Philips 227Eqha IPS monitor.
I love these articles. =)
Seems to be an interesting read so far, and I've really wanted to read an article like this, so thanks in advance!
It's written the other (incorrect?) way around in the article, i think.
Shouldn't it be "above D65"?
It's written the other (incorrect?) way around in the article, i think.
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/gamma-correction.htm
That's incorrect. It actually works backwards/opposite from what one might think. Color temperature originates from the color a flame radiates in relation to the temperature at which it burns. Think back to grade school and playing with the Bunsen burner... the hottest part of the flame (i.e., higher Kelvin) is in the darkest blues, not the reds (i.e, lower temperature/Kelvin). This simple picture helps explain the difference.
Shouldn't it be "above D65"?
Warm (reddish) colors are below 6500K, whereas cool (bluish) colors are above 6500K.
Try installing a full featured driver from your video hardware manufacturer.
But don't most monitors have a "backlight" option which changes how bright the image without adjusting the contrast & brightness? This can used to effectively adjust liminance, but at superficial global adjustment level rather than a granular control. None the less, one can then put preference on the brighter or darker end depending on their use case(s).
Grayscale can be confusing too. As the temperature gets lower, the color is said to get warmer.
Ojas, the photo on page 2 showing a higher black level is correct. As you raise the black level, blacks get brighter and become more gray.
-Christian-
But don't most monitors have a "backlight" option which changes how bright the image without adjusting the contrast & brightness? This can used to effectively adjust liminance, but at superficial global adjustment level rather than a granular control. None the less, one can then put preference on the brighter or darker end depending on their use case(s).
Unfortunately, very few monitors have separate backlight and brightness controls. None of the screens we've covered this year (16 including reviews not published yet) have a backlight control. This kind of thing is common on HDTVs but not computer monitors and that is a shame. With brighter screens, it's really nice to be able to move the dynamic range up or down to get better blacks or brighter whites, depending on application.
-Christian-
It's written the other (incorrect?) way around in the article, i think.
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/gamma-correction.htm
That's incorrect. It actually works backwards/opposite from what one might think. Color temperature originates from the color a flame radiates in relation to the temperature at which it burns. Think back to grade school and playing with the Bunsen burner... the hottest part of the flame (i.e., higher Kelvin) is in the darkest blues, not the reds (i.e, lower temperature/Kelvin). This simple picture helps explain the difference.
Shouldn't it be "above D65"?
Warm (reddish) colors are below 6500K, whereas cool (bluish) colors are above 6500K.
Grayscale can be confusing too. As the temperature gets lower, the color is said to get warmer.
Ojas, the photo on page 2 showing a higher black level is correct. As you raise the black level, blacks get brighter and become more gray.
-Christian-
Thanks for clarifying that! I even changed gamma on my monitor to see what happens before i posted, i guess i misinterpreted what was happening.
That would be very useful, along with some recommendations of affordable "meters".