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Post by The Wirefox on Mar 7, 2012 18:11:49 GMT
Katy Remember when you calibrate your monitor it is best for print matching but not necessarily how you would prefer to view your images on screen. You will get used to it though. The iMac has pseudo-white LED backlight. Your iMac has a NTSC (National Television System Committee) panel and OSX comes with color profiles for approximating both the sRGB and Adobe RGB color spaces. However the panel covers more of the sRGB gamuts than the abobe gamuts. Having said that the colours on your mac will still look more natural using the Adobe RGB profile. You do not have a wide gamut panel. (many iMac owners think they do ;D) Try the link below to find your year of build www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.phpyou can find the serial number by clicking on the "apple", top left corner. Select "about this Mac" More Info I cant take you through the calibration procedure using the spyder because I don't have one...maybe try Antonio he has 27" iMac
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Post by The Wirefox on Mar 7, 2012 18:34:50 GMT
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Post by katynoelle on Mar 7, 2012 18:52:17 GMT
Thank so much, Steve! Thanks so much! It's awfully nice to hear the 'voice' of someone who knows what in the world I'm talking about...phew! I keep trying to type out a response but have to keep reaching for the paper bag.... basically, your information is right around what I've been trying to figure out. So, just one question, at the moment, Steve mentioned it but what do the rest of you who have calibrated monitors do - if it's calibrated for print - it's yuck when viewing on the internet. Do you have two calibrations, then? Steve, I've spent a lot of time in the system preferences and the advanced display calibration window. I don't know....I just clicked on the aRGB profile (haven't I clicked on that before? I don't remember things looking like that). Anyway, when I went to the aRGB profile, everything looked soooo beautiful....I mean, just lush....(as close as Katy's getting to drugs. ). I mean, the pics on 500px were GORGEOUS but I don't know - aren't most photos on the web sRGB? So, how did that make a difference like that? Then, if I use that profile, will I simply be deluded and post processing through spectacles that just aren't 'real' for most of the rest of the world? or, will it keep me in the ball park of what others are seeing? If I just click on that aRGB calibration profile, is that all that I do? Am I making sense? Sorry if I'm not....I'm trying....
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Post by katynoelle on Mar 7, 2012 18:56:05 GMT
Oh, also, on the page before, I said that my computer was new - it's used but new to us. Stress made me do it!
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Post by The Wirefox on Mar 7, 2012 19:47:34 GMT
Katy, sRGB is the standard not necessarily the most popular for image makers. Stick with aRGB (Adobe) is that is what works for you. It does look more natural on a mac panel. sRGB is what most PCs are set too because it is default for windows. they will see your colours slightly differently but then everyone will...calibrated or not. There are many other factors that contribute to how you see colours on a monitor. not least of all ambient light conditions.
All you need to do is change your display preference - apple logo/system preferences/display and calibrate your monitor after that...oh and make sure that your photoshop colour space is set to aRGB (probably default anyway)
A used iMac should give you no problems but I strongly recommend running Onyx maintenance tools and if that indicates that your disk needs repairing run disk utilities from your system disk. That will keep things sweet. It is always a good thing to run maintenance scripts anyway after installing any software. The LED backlight will dim slightly after a couple of years so starting on less than max brightness is a good move.
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Post by Kit on Mar 7, 2012 22:49:27 GMT
Katy, your question as to whether we run on a "print" profile or a "view" profile, (I guess that is the jist of your question?) I just stick with the print profile and load that each time I start up the laptop. I just find it easier that way and my eye isn't seduced or thrown out of whack by other profiles. Thing is, most people posting images to the web won't be using a calibrated & profiled monitor themselves, so what we see isn't necessarily what they are seeing anyway. The whole thing is sooo complex...
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Post by katynoelle on May 9, 2012 14:45:19 GMT
Alright, I have a couple of gallery owners in wealthy, busy, successful Manchester, VT, who love my enthusiasm and love for photography and are interested in seeing my work.... do I have a business card? NO! Do I have an official website of my best work? NO! DO I HAVE ANYTHING PRINTED UP, YET? NOOOOO! So, my family and I have made it a group goal that I order a print by next week (before Tuesday.) I just need to break the ice. I think that you'll all still like me if I don't do it BUT I thought that telling you might be a little bit of accountability.... or, maybe I need a psychologist? There seems to be a mental block, here, somewhere... (But, Kit, I remember your words in another thread about the satisfaction of seeing something through from first sight to holding the image in your hands and that is spurring me on.
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Post by Barry on May 9, 2012 16:22:45 GMT
So, my family and I have made it a group goal that I order a print by next week (before Tuesday.) I just need to break the ice. Are you getting your print done on-line, if so do you know if they will auto adjust to get what they think is the correct brightness/colour or will they print whatever you send then without any auto adjustments. The on-line printing service that I use in the UK, will print what I send them, as sometimes I want my image dark and dramatic. It did take quite a few test prints before I got my calibrated monitor to suit the on-line printer profiles, but now I have it 99% sorted, so what I see on my monitor is extremely close to what I get back from the printers.
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Post by Kit on May 9, 2012 23:51:39 GMT
Katy - Just. Try. One! It won't break the bank, but it will break your mindset, I can (just about) guarantee it. I will be watching this space and getting ready to wag my finger if you don't. And my girl was always scared of my wagging finger.
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Post by katynoelle on May 12, 2012 13:08:12 GMT
That's just what I need, Kit! ;D Barry, I've heard about that issue before. I'm going with professional printers so I don't think that will be an issue - they offer 'fix-it' services separately (it's expensive). I FINALLY think that I have my monitor calibrated. When I figure out why it's seemed to work, this time (no odd color casts - not desperately dark), I'll let you know. it may be simply because I updated the software for the Spyder. Anyway, what a LOVELY difference! and, my sister, the artist ( ;D - I always say that), was here to give a thumbs up that it does, indeed, look good and hopeful. All of this to mean that, at least, I know that I'm in the ballpark. I've made a list of all the small steps that I need to take. (Monitor calibration done - check!) Now, I need to choose "lustre/glossy" (in one column), which seems to be asking for the finish on 'regular' paper? and (in another column) "metallic" which I thought was a paper but, perhaps, is, yet, another kind of finish? I've heard, before, that different kinds of paper and finishing are different for different kinds of images. Advice? I'm even interested in more recommendations of online printing services in the States. Finally, I was thinking that I would get them printed in small sizes so that I could economically 'check out' how it's going to turn out? I thought that I would do one B&W - the glamorous crocus (my sister wants a small version of this, anyway): www.flickr.com/photos/50914253@N08/7048226051/in/photostream/lightbox/and, then, Jack Frost (I want to see how the detail comes out): www.flickr.com/photos/50914253@N08/6676852263/in/photostream/lightbox/and, then, Big Snowy Barn (I want to see how the red and the white comes out): 500px.com/photo/4289859and, then that soft teacup with the roses (I want to see how the softness and the pastels read and I'm pretty sure that it would sell well in the tearoom ): www.flickr.com/photos/50914253@N08/6981041537/in/photostream/lightbox/So, there's a lot here - thanks if you've read this far! Even more mucho thanks if you can nod your head or offer any advice. Thanks!
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Post by Kit on May 14, 2012 11:05:45 GMT
I have read, Katy, but will have to look and reply tomorrow. It is getting late here and my bed is calling loudly.
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Post by katynoelle on May 23, 2012 17:08:35 GMT
Oh, goody! It turns out that the White House Custom Colors does five rough draft test prints for free. They, also, (I think) are sending a packet explaining papers and finishes, etc. So, plunge taken! Foots in the door. Finally! What a relief.
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Post by clactonian on May 23, 2012 18:00:42 GMT
Katy, if you click on the Apple logo top left on your menu bar, then select 'about this Mac' from the drop down menu, you will be able to get all the details about your model. By clicking on the 'More Info' button you can get the actual part number. A quick Google search should enable you to determine just about everything else you need to know. By selecting 'System Preferences' from the same drop down menu and then 'displays' you can easily choose a particular display profile. I have similar difficulties as you with printing and hate the display with the profile generated by my Eye2 meter. I only use that profile when editing for printing, other times I use one of the generic profiles. Sorry if I'm going over ground you've already covered.
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Post by katynoelle on May 25, 2012 17:04:56 GMT
Oops, Mike - missed your comment. I'll look later. I GOT THEM!!! I got my first test prints back. Woah! I can't describe the feeling.... "Big Snowy Barn" is bringing tears to my eyes - the detail is so rich. But, just look out. It's been building for a while, now. Any moment, I am going to burst into song about the joys of shooting in RAW. It took me a while to get used to it but, even when I've shot jpeg correctly sooc - there are certain qualities and things that I just can't get in post processing and it's showing up, now, in the prints. Anyway, the colors look wonderfully spot on. I still have no idea why the spyder was doing such wonky things, at first. Thank you so much for all of your help getting over this hurdle!
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Post by nickjohnson on May 25, 2012 19:19:40 GMT
Katy, that's great. I'm thrilled to bits for you. Nothing beats having a print of your own work in your hand. It's onward and upward now.....
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