Total Workflow Calibration

[schimmey]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi All. Apologies if this has already been asked. I currently have a Nikon Coolscan 5000, MacBook Pro connected to an Apple Cinema screen and an Epson R2400 printer. I shoot both b/w, colour negative & slide film although slide not as much now.

 

All I do is plug the various bits together and scan away. I am not the most computer literate when it comes to the technical issues but know that I am not optimising what I have to ensure I get the best scans possible. I use vuescan professional.

 

Can anyone give me a point by point guide on how to configure the system to ensure it is colour calibrated and anything else I need to do.

 

It would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[ptarmigan]

First off you need a decent monitor and that needs calibrating using an Eye One, Spyder or other decent monitor calibrator which also uses software. Mac monitors generally don't allow full RGB and contrast calibration so you are a little limited. results can be pretty good though.

 

Once the monitor is fine you need software and either a flatbed scanner (which needs profiling with software and using test images that you scan) or a proper' print scanner so that you can accurately calibrate your prints. You'll need custom profiles for each paper you use. Whatever, its a question of print/scan/calibrate using software. The scanners ain't cheap either.

 

You also need to watch what photo editing/printing software you use and ensure that it controls the calibration rather than the printer profiles which you must turn off. Some editing/printing software is better than others.

 

Sorry to generalise but its a big subject that's complex to explain. You need to decide how important it is for you to be 'fully' colour managed and whether it's cost/time effective.

[rhysgill]

Hi Paul,

 

Colour management can be what nightmares are made of or at least you can make it so !

 

I use imacs, Nikon 4000 scanner and Vuescan pro. (have used Epson 2400 but no longer do so)

 

Before you start buying eye-one etc and worrying too much about icc profiles do the following as a starter for ten….

 

1. If you haven’t already done so reduce screen brightness to 50 % (if you have had it on full blast it will look dull but persevere.)

2. Look at Tim Gray’s notes on scanning B&W using vuescan which can be found on the photo.net site under >home>learn>scanning:vuescan black and white. Try the settings recommended.

3. For slide scanning the recommended option is ‘image’ rather than transparency.

4. If using photoshop etc, adjust basic scan on screen until it ‘looks right’ to you.

5. Make a print – black and white via Epson “don’t use icc profiles”- allow printer to colour manage and go to the advanced B&W section of the driver.

6. For colour – let photoshop colour manage and select a suitable icc profile for the paper you are using. Helps to use Epson papers as a ‘test’ avoiding as many variables as possible.

 

View the printed result - allow to dry……. If very different to the screen you may need to seek further advice ! but don’t forget that no two people see colour the same and the same image, colour or black and white, can look very different when viewed under different light sources.

 

Get the basics right and only start worrying about the finer detail if necessary.

 

Dyfrig

[schimmey]

Thanks to you both for that. I think I started getting a bit bedazzled by reading endless things about calibration etc. I will persevere. Thanks again, Paul.

[ptarmigan]

Hi Paul,

 

Colour management can be what nightmares are made of or at least you can make it so !

 

I use imacs, Nikon 4000 scanner and Vuescan pro. (have used Epson 2400 but no longer do so)

 

Before you start buying eye-one etc and worrying too much about icc profiles do the following as a starter for ten….

 

1. If you haven’t already done so reduce screen brightness to 50 % (if you have had it on full blast it will look dull but persevere.)

2. Look at Tim Gray’s notes on scanning B&W using vuescan which can be found on the photo.net site under >home>learn>scanning:vuescan black and white. Try the settings recommended.

3. For slide scanning the recommended option is ‘image’ rather than transparency.

4. If using photoshop etc, adjust basic scan on screen until it ‘looks right’ to you.

5. Make a print – black and white via Epson “don’t use icc profiles”- allow printer to colour manage and go to the advanced B&W section of the driver.

6. For colour – let photoshop colour manage and select a suitable icc profile for the paper you are using. Helps to use Epson papers as a ‘test’ avoiding as many variables as possible.

 

View the printed result - allow to dry……. If very different to the screen you may need to seek further advice ! but don’t forget that no two people see colour the same and the same image, colour or black and white, can look very different when viewed under different light sources.

 

Get the basics right and only start worrying about the finer detail if necessary.

 

Dyfrig

 

Hmm.. on what basis 'reduce brightness by 50%'? When you calibrate you set the luminance value as part of the process. No guesswork here.

 

Adjusting purely by eye is useless, even if you have perfect vision - which most of us do not. You need to sort the monitor properly first, then scanner and finally printer. once they all 'talk the same' colour language you have a good chance of getting prints very close to what you see on your monitor. Also I've never seen any informed opinions suggesting letting the printer determine the profile and you most certainly should use icc profiles for your intended printer/paper combo whether you use manufacturer's own or create your own.