Gamma Check
The truth about computer monitors and color/tone/brightness/contrast is that they are all quite different…all of them. Brand to brand, model to model, there are very few standards in the way of keeping what we see on-screen consistent from user to user, and it just gets more involved when you take it from the screen to ink. I spent years in the printing industry repeatedly explaining to people that what they see on their monitor (illuminated color) is different than how it will appear on paper (reflected color). I recently fell victim to this myself, sending a file off to my printer only to receive it back appearing about 20% too dark. Although the process I choose for my photographs uses traditional light sensitive paper, the same principles apply. I went about calibrating my monitor as a result and am now quite curious what my general readership thinks about the brightness of work I’ve been posting. I’d ask that you take a moment to answer the poll question below so that I can continue in my efforts to make your visits here as enjoyable as possible. If you have additional feedback beyond the options provided, please feel free to leave a comment on the post page. Thank you!
Cody: many of your black-and-whites have seemed a bit too dark to me (which is why I’m always so happy when you post color work). I assumed it was an intentional artistic choice. I would say at a quick glance that your most recent few b&w posts have been “more too dark” than before. Would love to have a chance to see some of them printed, though, as I bet they are fantastic.
I appreciate your input, Scott. I think the poll results are pretty clear…either people think my work is to dark or it’s gotten that way recently. I expected the results to be a bit more even across the board and am quite surprised, really. There are likely several different factors involved (which I explain in detail in my upcoming post), but your mention of ‘artistic choice’ is accurate to some degree. I think I’m also ’suffering’ from a really, really nice monitor with insane brightness/contrast ratio…
Thanks again for your feedback.
An interesting experiment! I’d very very interested to know what you make of the results and if they will change the way you process your photos for your site. This is an issue I struggle with as well, so any insight you can give would be very valuable
Sorry I didn’t ever get back to you, Neil. I’ve not yet decided on my full approach to this issue - there are as many factors that I cannot control as those that I am able to. This is the root my being somewhat ‘perplexed’… I’ll be updating the topic in the near future, though, as I make some changes and alter my process slightly. Will definitely share any info I learn along the way, m’friend.