CHECK YOUR MONITOR CALIBRATION

All images on this site have been created using a color managed workflow. This means that my monitors, and output devices have all been calibrated for a known color response, brightness and contrast. As a result if your monitor is not adjusted correctly the images will not look correct, you will loose shadow and highlight detail. My systems are calbrated to a standard of 5000K color temperature (approximately equal to full sun mid day).

My systems are calibrated using a Gretag-MacBeth Eye One calibration system. All of my output is via custom color ICC profiles for my printer with a unique ICC profile for each paper type I use.

You can use the images below to get your monitor to a close approximation of a true calibration. The first image steps from pure black (RGB = 0,0,0) to pure white (RGB = 255,255,255), with a pure white bar above the steps and a pure black bar below the steps. You should adjust your monitor contrast and brightness to a point that each step is clearly visible. The pure black step and bar should be as black as the surround area of your monitor (the area between the bezel and the active image region). The pure white step and bar should be as white as possible, there should not be any blue or pink tint in these areas. It may help to move at least two feet away from your monitor, or to slightly squint your eyes (to de-focus your eyes) when looking at the steps to ensure you have a visible difference between each step.

The next image is a continuous rainbow flowing smoothly through all of the sprectrum of colors. If you have sufficient color depth capability on your system the image should be a smooth continuous gradient (in fact it was created using the continuous smooth gradient function of Photoshop). If you see distinct steps in the image between colors then your display adapter either is set to a low color depth (such as 256 colors) or is incapable of showing any greater color depth due to limited graphics adapter memory. Again for optimal viewing of the images on this web site you should have at least 16 bit or better color depth.