Hi all -- Hopefully my topic title won't start a Mac/PC debate as that is mot my intention...
My question related to the preparation of images for posting to either the forums here on Nature Photographers or on a wesite in general. I use a Mac and after processing my images to a result which I view is indicative of the image captured (accurate color/vibrant...) will use save for web in an sRGB colorspace and post accordingly. All looks fine to me but when I view the images on a PC from the office or anothers computer, the images appear darker.
I am hoping that those of you here in NPN that utilize Macs may have been down this road before and can advise as to the best steps to take when processing and/or posting my images. All advice and comments are most appreciated!
From your description it sounds like the systems you were comparing were not necessarily calibrated, which may account for some of the difference.
The main culprint is likely the difference in gamma between (older?) Macs and PCs. Macs use a gamma of 1.8 while PCs use 2.2. Someone recently told me that new Macs are now using 2.2 as well but I don't have personal experience to verify that.
Gamma is used to quantify the relationship between voltage supplied to the display and the brightness of the light it generates, so differences in gamma between devices will manifest itself in visible differences in brightness.
Guy, did PCs originally use a different gamma? Because images that I get "right" on my old monitor look paler and cooler on my newer laptop. I haven't been sure if I had the white balance set wrong in the camera, or if it was a monitor problem...or something else entirely.
Elizabeth, do you have both monitors calibrated? LCD screens generally tend to be more blue and contrasty than CRT screens. Also, laptop screens are generally not up to the same accuracy standard as standalone high end monitors (with some exceptions).
I only calibrate my home CRT monitor and use Adobe Gamma to get my laptop screen "close enough". I figure it will never be perfect anyway - it's not the same class of monitor and doesn't allow the same degree of calibration as my home monitor.
Guy -- The Gamma is set on my Mac at 2.2...I used the included Mac display program to set Gamma and to calibrate. No doubt not as accurate as other calibration methods perhaps. Any other thoughts??
Your machine is only one side of the equation. Is your monitor more than a couple of years old?
Manual calibration is better than no calibration at all but to get reliable results it's not as effective as using a colorimeter device.
Yes...monitor/laptop is about 3 years old. Am beginning to understand your comment regarding calibration...can I ask about device recommendations? Thanks for your help, Guy!
Discussion
8 repliesMy question related to the preparation of images for posting to either the forums here on Nature Photographers or on a wesite in general. I use a Mac and after processing my images to a result which I view is indicative of the image captured (accurate color/vibrant...) will use save for web in an sRGB colorspace and post accordingly. All looks fine to me but when I view the images on a PC from the office or anothers computer, the images appear darker.
I am hoping that those of you here in NPN that utilize Macs may have been down this road before and can advise as to the best steps to take when processing and/or posting my images. All advice and comments are most appreciated!
From your description it sounds like the systems you were comparing were not necessarily calibrated, which may account for some of the difference.
The main culprint is likely the difference in gamma between (older?) Macs and PCs. Macs use a gamma of 1.8 while PCs use 2.2. Someone recently told me that new Macs are now using 2.2 as well but I don't have personal experience to verify that.
Gamma is used to quantify the relationship between voltage supplied to the display and the brightness of the light it generates, so differences in gamma between devices will manifest itself in visible differences in brightness.
Guy
Elizabeth
I only calibrate my home CRT monitor and use Adobe Gamma to get my laptop screen "close enough". I figure it will never be perfect anyway - it's not the same class of monitor and doesn't allow the same degree of calibration as my home monitor.
Guy
Your machine is only one side of the equation. Is your monitor more than a couple of years old?
Manual calibration is better than no calibration at all but to get reliable results it's not as effective as using a colorimeter device.
Guy
Guy