Reliable monitor calibration for photos

A monitor cannot be trusted when viewing photos. It displays them as it has been set up in the factory to do so – usually with a blue tinge as default. This is often preferred by users as images appear clearer. If the monitor is in a room with "cool" illumination, this further worsens the effect.

However, you don’t need to be taken in by this kind of window dressing anymore. Depending on how much you’re prepared to invest and the type of monitor you have, it is simple to set it up correctly.

• If the monitor only has an on-off button then you won’t be able to manually adjust it. However, any model can be profiled, which is largely seen to by the computer.
• If it has buttons for setting the color and contrast then it can be corrected by eye.
• Some models, such as the Eizo CG series or the NEC Spectra View can be calibrated and adjusted and a few even do this automatically, such as the Quato IntelliProof. However, only professionals use such sophisticated technology. You will often hear profiling and calibration used interchangeably. However, only the latter actually impacts on the hardware so that it provides reliable color rendering.