Re: Colorvision/Photocal Spyder
Re: Colorvision/Photocal Spyder
- Subject: Re: Colorvision/Photocal Spyder
- From: Peter Calvin <email@hidden>
- Date: Sun, 06 May 2001 18:20:04 -0500
Thank you for the input, it has helped but the basic problem remains. Also,
I can see that as a visual artist, and not a literary one, my explanations
have been wanting. I shall try again.
"What do you mean you started with a canned profile?"
"I'm confused again. What do you mean images scanned with the PhotoCal
profile? The display profile is only used for preview purposes."
"I was similarly confused"
First of all, when clicking on calibrate in the color selection area of the
monitors control panel (Mac OS 9.1) I could see that some kind of monitor
profile is selected in the window above the calibrate button. My mistake
was assuming that Photocal used the selected profile as a starting point.
Several people on and off list have stated that the program does not use
this selected profile, but creates it's own from scratch.
As far as the comments on scanned images. I was not clear.
I have been using Adobe Gamma to calibrate my monitor's profile since my
introduction to Photoshop. I have been able to produce Epson inkjet prints
and Lambdas that are quite close to my monitor's color. The inkjets of late
are very, very close and I am making only very small adjustments to a few. I
have been delivering scanned images on CD, Zips and by email to clients for
several years now and have never had color problems.
My monitor appears quite neutral. The Nikon LS-2000 I use for scanning film
uses my monitor's custom profile for it's preview. The previews are very
close to the slides, the scans in Photoshop look like the previews and the
inkjets are just a little more saturated than the monitor, but they are
close. I often do minor retouching of headshots and the Fuji Frontier
prints are close enough for the clients.
I keep saying close, quite neutral, very close, etc. However, I want a match
like everyone else, I should think. I tried profiling my monitor with the
newest PhotoCal software and a Colorvision Spyder. I have uninstalled and
reinstalled the program several times, trashed the preferences and re-
calibrated my monitor at least 10 times using both the "better" and "faster"
modes. The results are the same. My monitor's color using PhotoCal is flat,
washed out and has a light green/cyan cast, like a watercolor wash. As I
click back and forth from one profile to the other, the difference is
evident. My Adobe Gamma profile if the "neutral" one. (by a mile!)
With the PhotoCal profile, if I scan a slide, I have to do a lot of
adjustment in Photoshop to get it to look like the original and when it is
printed it appears goes red, contrasty and is very saturated.
The differences between the monitor and the output (inkjet, web etc) are not
the fine adjustments I have been used to, but more of the slap yourself on
the forehead, oh my God what have I screwed up now level.
I borrowed this gadget and program from a friend to tryout over the weekend
with the intention of buying it and the printer profile software if it
worked out, but right now I am more inclined to give a shot to Monaco's
product. When I asked about profiling on this list a while back, people all
said, "Get Colorvision" and it obviously works for them. There is no manual
for PhotoCal to download from Colorvision, just the onscreen (and very
simple) instructions. I assume I have screwed up, but can't find out where.
Though I am no prepress professional, as a photographer for nearly 30 years
I have dealt with color enough to know a neutral gray when I see one and I
haven't gotten it with PhotoCal.
That you in advance for any help or suggestions.
Peter Calvin
<
http://www.petercalvin.com/>