yamiya
03-15-2008, 03:04 AM
Ever try printing out a picture and find the color is way out compare to the one shown on LCD screen? You start to question the accuracy of the printer, or perhaps wrong settings. You spend the whole afternoon debugging, yet the problem still unsolved at the end of the day.
http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/images/printerxxx.jpg
Don't blame your printer, your printer is working perfectly fine. Below a simple experiment that will explain what is wrong with your prints.
Open up the image you want to print with any image editing software, e.g. Photoshop.
Print the image using the "print" function in the image editing software with the suspected malfunction printer.
Increase the brightness of the picture using the image editing software.
Decrease the brightness of you computer screen until the image has the same brightness before edited by the software This will require you to press on the buttons on the monitor, either CRT or LCD.
Print the image again.
What did you notice?
Answer: The second print is brighter than the first print.
IT'S THE MONITOR!
Color is an abstract perspective. Every person have their own preference of monitor settings. Some like it to be bright, some like it to be dim. Some high contrast, some cooler color temperature. Editing an image on one monitor and later transfer it to another PC, if compare the two monitors side-by-side you will realize they are not the same! The problem lies in the monitor. How can you tell that the monitor is displaying the "RIGHT" color? The answer, Monitor Calibration (http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration.htm).
The most basic calibration tool, other than ignoring calibration altogether, is Adobe Gamma. This is certainly better than nothing, but leaves much to be desired. The sole advantage is that it is free, once you purchase Photoshop. The primary problem is that your basic eyeball calibration is highly influenced by ambient lighting, how much sleep you've had, and how much coffee is coursing through your veins. Obtaining a consistent viewing environment is difficult under these conditions.
http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/images/misc/spyder3eliteonlcd.jpg
Hardware based monitor calibrators provide far more accurate and repeatable results. Yamiya eStore carries Datacolor monitor calibrators, the famous and highly acclaimed SPYDER series.
Spyder2Express is suitable for beginners and amateur photographers. It supports single monitor display, works on both CRT and LCD, both PC or laptop. Simply install the software, plug-in Spyder2Express, launch the software, follow the on-screen instructions (http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/spyder2express.html). Sit back, sips a coffee. In less than 2 minutes you are awarded the TRUE COLOR!
What if you are working on dual monitor displays and need constant ambient lighting monitoring/adjustment, yet customization for total control of your color. Yes, this is professional talking. Spyder3Elite is the latest monitor calibrator by DataColor. Slicker design, faster calibration time, more accurate color and many other new features.
http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/images/Datacolor/photo_s2e1_500.jpg
Spyder2Express selling at RM370
http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/images/Datacolor/photo_s3elite1_500.jpg
Spyder3Elite selling at RM990 (Free Lenspen Laptop Pro (http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/product.php?productid=16206))
Ready stocks. Deliver in 2-3 business days, or faster.
For more information on Spyder, please visit Yamiya eStore. (http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/home.php?cat=336)
http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/images/printerxxx.jpg
Don't blame your printer, your printer is working perfectly fine. Below a simple experiment that will explain what is wrong with your prints.
Open up the image you want to print with any image editing software, e.g. Photoshop.
Print the image using the "print" function in the image editing software with the suspected malfunction printer.
Increase the brightness of the picture using the image editing software.
Decrease the brightness of you computer screen until the image has the same brightness before edited by the software This will require you to press on the buttons on the monitor, either CRT or LCD.
Print the image again.
What did you notice?
Answer: The second print is brighter than the first print.
IT'S THE MONITOR!
Color is an abstract perspective. Every person have their own preference of monitor settings. Some like it to be bright, some like it to be dim. Some high contrast, some cooler color temperature. Editing an image on one monitor and later transfer it to another PC, if compare the two monitors side-by-side you will realize they are not the same! The problem lies in the monitor. How can you tell that the monitor is displaying the "RIGHT" color? The answer, Monitor Calibration (http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration.htm).
The most basic calibration tool, other than ignoring calibration altogether, is Adobe Gamma. This is certainly better than nothing, but leaves much to be desired. The sole advantage is that it is free, once you purchase Photoshop. The primary problem is that your basic eyeball calibration is highly influenced by ambient lighting, how much sleep you've had, and how much coffee is coursing through your veins. Obtaining a consistent viewing environment is difficult under these conditions.
http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/images/misc/spyder3eliteonlcd.jpg
Hardware based monitor calibrators provide far more accurate and repeatable results. Yamiya eStore carries Datacolor monitor calibrators, the famous and highly acclaimed SPYDER series.
Spyder2Express is suitable for beginners and amateur photographers. It supports single monitor display, works on both CRT and LCD, both PC or laptop. Simply install the software, plug-in Spyder2Express, launch the software, follow the on-screen instructions (http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/spyder2express.html). Sit back, sips a coffee. In less than 2 minutes you are awarded the TRUE COLOR!
What if you are working on dual monitor displays and need constant ambient lighting monitoring/adjustment, yet customization for total control of your color. Yes, this is professional talking. Spyder3Elite is the latest monitor calibrator by DataColor. Slicker design, faster calibration time, more accurate color and many other new features.
http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/images/Datacolor/photo_s2e1_500.jpg
Spyder2Express selling at RM370
http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/images/Datacolor/photo_s3elite1_500.jpg
Spyder3Elite selling at RM990 (Free Lenspen Laptop Pro (http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/product.php?productid=16206))
Ready stocks. Deliver in 2-3 business days, or faster.
For more information on Spyder, please visit Yamiya eStore. (http://www.yamiya.com.my/store/home.php?cat=336)