Re: colorsync-users digest, Vol 3 #458 - 14 msgs
Re: colorsync-users digest, Vol 3 #458 - 14 msgs
- Subject: Re: colorsync-users digest, Vol 3 #458 - 14 msgs
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 02:47:23 EDT
<< >
>
> A couple of weeks ago I received in the mail my first attempt
>
> at a Lightjet 5000 print. It was too dark and saturated ( compared
>
> to my monitor ).
>
>
>
> I'm using a Mac G4 and an Apple 17" LCD. I've calibrated the display with
>
> OptiCal. I've followed the instructions on ICC profiles and color spaces
>
and
>
> know the very basics such as not using the monitor profile as the working
>
> space
>
> and to use a working space that closely matches the intended output
>
(Adobe
>
> RGB 1998 / Lightjet 500). I'm also converting it to the custom Lightjet
>
> profile
>
> provided by the lab.
>
In a message dated 10/22/02 10:26:01 AM, email@hidden writes:
>
>The delimma, of What You See Is Not What You Get, is one faced daily by
both labs and photographers. There is a very high percentage of files that
receive at least some sort of adjustment before printing, either color
balance or density or size or whatever. A good lab should recognize a
problem, and correct it if possible, before printing the final product. An
exception would be a subject with no known color references, such as flesh
tones, a white wedding dress, blue sky, green grass, etc. Images such as
tissue samples taken though a microscope, metallurgy with unfiltered
flourescent lighting , and even sunsets which vary from magenta to red to
yell
ow, all pose challenges when printed, since the technician does not have a
clue what the correct color should resemble.
It seems that the most problems arise from the file's originator having an
out of calibration monitor and an out of calibration desktop printer, one too
dark and the other too light, offsetting each other to give a somewhat
satisfactory result when a proof is made. Most labs with a Light Jet would
probably have their act together regarding calibration, but they should
nevertheless contact a client before producing an unusuale product. A
simple way to check on the color balance would be to include a grey step
wedge at the edge of the image, since this is an RGB process.
Regards,
Wiley >>
I can share some of my experience with Lightjet and similar (Lambda) output:
1) My first blush with LCD tell me these displays are unusually bright
compared to what I'm used to viewing in a side-by-side comparison to type C
prints. This may explain why you feel the print is too dark. I plan to play
with monitor settings and room lighting conditions in my production area ASAP.
2) I'll go out on a limb and guess your file was double profiled since you
feel it's too saturated. You profiled it once. Did you tag the file as such?
Even if tagged, it's entirely possible it was profiled again at the
Workflow/RIP stage. It's unusual to see too much saturation from a Lightjet
print. Most complaints are the contrary.
3) You're using Adobe RGB as a workspace for this device. Did you softproof
via the Lightjet profile? Adobe RGB has much more gamut than the Lightjet
could ever reach. sRGB is even more than the Lightjet.
4) A grey step wedge could help evaluate gamma and calibration neutrality but
not color saturation, which is one of the problems here.
5) Most labs should have their act together as far as calibration of their
devices but the workflow is probably the culprit in this instance. I would
try to understand exactly what happens to your file once it's submitted for
output. You may be surprised to learn the ordeal.
-Stephen Ray
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