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Very simply, if I need a monitor for editing photos, I will look for a high-resolution display, something with a great viewing angle and the ability to represent true colors.
- Best Monitor Color Calibration Tool
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- Best Color Calibration For Monitors
Read More and you get the reason why you should calibrate your monitor. So, drop down to the link for their monitor calibration tool at the foot of the homepage or hit the link above. So, drop down to the link for their monitor calibration tool at the foot of the homepage or hit the link above.
Now, colors are something that is dependent on the fact that you calibrate you monitor from time to time. Even if the monitor comes well calibrated out of the box, over a period of time it loses that calibration. So, you have to recalibrate it as you go.
You also need the monitor to display a certain resolution and be of a certain size. For a photographer or a creative professional (someone who does photo editing for a living), it is pertinent that the monitor is at least around 27-inch. I feel 27″ is a great size for photo editing. The resolution should be around UHD / 4K.
- Mac monitor color calibration free download - Monitor Calibration, Temperature Monitor, AV Calibration Test, and many more programs.
- What tool do you recommend for color calibration? No doubt, what you're looking for is the Spyder 4 Express from DataColor. Color calibration tools often cost over $1,000, but this little piece of love does the job for around $110.
In any case, don’t go for too large a monitor if the resolution is anything less than UHD / 4K. This is because with larger pixels the image is likely to become blurry. Ideally, you would want a dense pixel concentration to give a smoother experience and higher detail.
Apart from that, you need your monitor to support 100% of the sRGB color gamut. This will ensure that the images that you print to match the colors that you see on the monitor. Here are a few monitors that we feel are great choices for the purpose of photo editing. We have sorted them in terms of their pricing band.
12 of the Best Monitors for Photo Editing in 2019:
Product | Details |
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BenQ 4K PhotoVue Photographer Monitor (SW271)
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Dell UltraSharp U2717D InfinityEdge Monitor
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ASUS Designo MX27UC 4K UHD
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BenQ SW2700PT 2K Photographer Monitor
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BenQ PV3200PT 16:9 4K Video Editing IPS Monitor
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LG 32UD99-W 16:9 HDR10 FreeSync IPS B076CTL3BD
| |
Samsung WQHD LED Monitor (S32D850T)
| |
ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD
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HP Pavilion QHD V1M69AA#ABA
| |
LG 27UD58-B 4K UHD
| |
AOC Q3277FQE Class MVA LED Monitor
| |
PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420
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Let us have a look at each monitor in detail:
1. BenQ 27″ 4K PhotoVue Photographer Monitor (SW271)
What I like about the BenQ SW271 PhotoVue 27 inch 4K HDR Photography IPS Monitor is that it supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The fact that it also supports 99% of the Adobe RGB color gamut isn’t all that important for me.
38 Reviews on B&H
- 27' In-Plane Switching (IPS) Monitor
- USB Type-C / HDMI / DP Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time (GtG)
- 1.07 Billion Colors
- 99% Adobe RGB Color Coverage
- Built-In USB Hub
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
I don’t print my own photos and most photo printing labs use sRGB. This way I can rest assured that the colors will match when the prints come back and there will be no surprises.
The Intenet too uses sRGB as the default color space, any picture that I edit and then upload to a gallery or a forum or social media will look exactly the same as it does on my computer. Usually, when your editing color space is AdobeRGB and then you upload in sRGB the colors look dull.
The other thing that I like is this is a 4K (UHD) monitor and that means a resolution of 3840 x 2160.
Additionally, this monitor incorporates IPS technology and that means it has a wider display angle, unlike the TN panels. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9. The refresh rate is 60 Hz. The contrast ratio is 1000:1.
The monitor uses a 14-bit (3D) LUT. Thanks to that you have a large wider color gamut than what is possible with other 12-bit or smaller LUT systems.
BenQ 27″ 4K monitor comes with a USB-C port which allows you to plug in an external calibration tool (among other devices for both charging and data) for sustained true color output and accurate color reproduction.
However, that said, you can’t use the USB-C port as a docking station for the purpose of connecting a laptop. The system comes with the Palette Master Element Calibration Software and that allows you to use most good quality calibration hardware.
There is one bad news for any gamers reading this, the monitor does not have Free-sync. That means for any games that you normally play at a higher frame rate, there is bound to be some amount of jerks and tears. This, however, does not impact photo editors.
2. Dell UltraSharp U2717D 27″ InfinityEdge Monitor
This 27 inch Dell UltraSharp InfinityEdge monitor comes with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. Again, it is less than the UHD / 4K that we love, but still useful nonetheless as its better than the full HD display on most monitors.
93 Reviews on B&H
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- DisplayPort + Mini-DP + HDMI Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 WQHD Resolution
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 8 ms Response Time
- 16.7 Million Colors
- Built-In USB 3.0 Hub
- Stand Included
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
The monitor incorporates IPS technology as well as the useful anti-glare technology for better viewing angle and better contrast even when used in a brightly lit room. The monitor comes with a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and support for up to 16.7 million colors.
Related Post: Best Laptops for Photo Editing
The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz. Clearly, if a gaming monitor is what you are looking for this is not what you should be looking at. Among the things that we don’t like, are that there are no USB-C ports but only USB-A. Plus, the 3.5mm port accepts a mic but there is no headphone support which is kind of strange.
3. ASUS Designo MX27UC 27” 4K UHD
The ASUS Designo MX27UC is a 27″ monitor that comes with the IPS technology and a 4K / UHD resolution. I.e., the display is 3840 x 2160. IPS displays are great for viewing as they offer wider viewing angles and better contrast when doing so compared to TN panels.
- 27' In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- HDMI 2.0 / DP 1.2 / DP Over USB-C Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 4K Resolution
- 1300:1 Static Contrast Ratio
- 300 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Colors
- Dual 3W Stereo Speakers
- ASUS Eye Care Technology
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
The ASUS Designo MX27UC has a display of 178˚. The unique frameless design gives it a stunning appearance. The bezel actually measures 0.1 cm in thickness.
For extended use of the monitor, such as when editing batches of photos and videos after a shoot, you need a way to be able to preserve your eyes. The monitor comes with the ASUS Eye Care technology as well as a blue light filter technology which reduces the strain on your eyes when using the monitor for long periods.
There is a 29″ and a 34″ version of this monitor. But they don’t offer the same high pixel density resolution as the 27″ version. Whichever way you look at it, the 27″ is my favorite as it is just the right size for a great photo editing experience. The static contrast ratio is 1300:1.
The monitor displays 1.07 billion colors. It supports the entire sRGB color space, and thus give a more accurate color representation and better consistency across all your displays, the web, and your printer. The response rate of the monitor is 5 ms.
In terms of connectivity, the monitor comes with several connection options along with the all-important USB-C port.
4. BenQ SW2700PT 27 inch 2K Photographer Monitor
The BenQ SW2700PT is a 27” monitor powered by IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology. It has a display resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (109 ppi) and a contrast ratio of 1000:1.
136 Reviews on B&H
- 27' In-Plane Switching (IPS) Panel
- DVI-DL - HDMI 1.4 - DP 1.2 Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 Resolution
- 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms (GtG) Response Time
- 10-Bit Support for 1.07 Billion Colors
- OSD Controller to Switch Color Modes
- 99% AdobeRGB Color Gamut
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
The monitor has 99% coverage of the AdobeRGB color space. It also supports 100% of the Rec. 709 / sRGB color gamut.
A built-in calibration tool using the image processing chip is a better and more reliable method of keeping the display honest. Also, the monitor comes with a proprietary calibration application.
Though not a huge advantage for photo editors the response time of the monitor is 5 ms. What, however, is of advantage, is the support for 1.07 billion colors.
Despite the fact that we are dealing with monitors for photo editing and that is the primary focus, a monitor is not always used as a photo editing tool. In fact, it rarely has that privilege. Thus, it is frequently switched from photo editing tasks to browsing and even gaming.
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There is this quick ‘mode-change’ option named OSD controller that allows you to make that change whenever you want to use your monitor for anything other than photo editing.
A feature of the BenQ SW2700PT 27” is the detachable hood. This hood is a nice touch, especially for users who might be sitting in areas where controlling the ambient light may not be possible. The hood also makes it possible to work in outdoor conditions as well, in bright scenes where glare makes it difficult to review images after they have been shot. Thus, this is a useful tool for location shooting purposes.
The monitor comes with an array of connectivity options but what it does not have is a USB-C port.
5. BenQ PV3200PT 16:9 4K Video Editing IPS Monitor
We bring in another BenQ in this discussion. This is the BenQ PV3200PT. This is a 32″ monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 (UHD). Additionally, the monitor comes with a contrast ratio of 1000:1. The brightness level of the monitor is 350 cd/m².
3 Reviews on B&H
- 32' In-Plane Switching (IPS) Panel
- DisplayPort / HDMI / mDP Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- 1,000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Colors
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
Being an IPS panel has its own advantages as the viewing angle is pretty big – 178˚ to be precise. The response time of the monitor is 5 ms. The monitor supports up to 1.07 billion colors. The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz.
The monitor supports 100% Rec. 709 color space as well as 100% of the sRGB color space. The monitor comes with a 14-Bit LUT which enables a much larger color palette compared to others. There is an interesting hardware calibration tool integrated into the monitor.
The system allows you to recalibrate the image processing chip inside the monitor and keep the settings in the graphics card of your computer unchanged. Thus, you get to see consistent results and the monitor does not get affected by the settings in your graphics card.
The system comes integrated with the Palette Master Element software. What you need is a calibrator (external) and you can recalibrate your BenQ PV3200PT from time to time and keep it performing in its optical state for years.
Plus the BenQ PV3200PT comes with an OSD controller. This special remote control ensures that you can switch between different display settings as and when needed.
6. LG 32UD99-W 31.5″ 16:9 HDR10 FreeSync IPS
The LG 32UD99-Wis a 31.5″ monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 210 (UHD). The higher resolution as I have mentioned several times over helps in getting a more detailed image. That comes in handy when you are editing images which have a lot of detail in it – landscapes, product shots, black & white portrait of a senior individual and so on.
29 Reviews on B&H
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- USB Type-C - DisplayPort - HDMI
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- Supports HDR10
- AMD FreeSync Technology
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
The LG 32UD99-W features in-plane switching technology which ensures that you have a wider viewing angle than other standard monitors. The viewing angle, by the way, is 178˚.
The brightness level of the monitor is a good 350 cd/m² and it has a 5 ms response time. There are faster monitors out there, no doubt about it. But given the fact that we are primarily discussing photo editing applications, we don’t need 1 ms or anything near that. Those are best for gamers and are outside the purview of our discussion. The monitor supports DCI-P3 95% color standard.
The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz. Though there are monitors with even higher numbers and for gaming and watching videos those might be useful, a higher refresh rate is not necessary for photo editing.
Having said that it is hard to ignore the fact that the best monitors are usually the ones that come loaded with features for the hardcore gamer. The LG 32UD99-W being a gaming monitor comes with some gaming features as well.
For example, it has the AMD FreeSync technology. This technology is designed to tune the monitor’s refresh rate with that of the frame rate output of the graphics card ensuring a smoother experience. This is for a smoother gaming experience.
Plus you get HDR capabilities as well. That means you will be able to get a much better (and detailed) image across the dark to medium to bright tones giving you much better viewing experience.
Though actually designed for gaming along with the black stabilizer technology that is also incorporated into the system, to help find details in the shadow areas, this technology will come in handy when editing HDR images.
Among the connectivity options, you have several really, the one that stands out is the USB-C port. It is the latest and the fastest and gives you both data and charging capabilities.
7. Samsung 32″ WQHD LED Monitor (S32D850T)
The Samsung 32 is a 32″ large monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (WQHD). Though the resolution is slightly better than full HD, it is not at par as the UHD resolution of the BenQ that we have just finished discussing.
35 Reviews on B&H
- HDMI / DVI / DisplayPort Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 WQHD Resolution
- 3,000:1 Contrast Ratio
- 300 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1,073,000,000 Color Support
- Built-In USB 3.0 Hub
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9. The monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚ allowing you a much wider viewing angle. Though you would hardly be looking at this from the side, it is good to have this feature. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9.
The Samsung 32” WQHD LED Monitor (S32D850T) – a great pick for those who want to edit their photos on a big screen (and are on a tight budget).
Among the other fringe benefits of the monitor is the picture in picture mode. Though practical for some uses it is not useful for photographers. The only time I can envision myself using this is when I am watching a tutorial and using it at the same time on a photo editing application.
What is practical, however, is the presence of Eco light technology. This technology ensures that the monitor’s display is adjusted automatically when the brightness of the room changes.
What is missing on the system is the USB-C port. There are several Type-B and A ports along with the other ports but this is what is missing.
8. ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD 27
The ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD is a 27″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440p (2K / WQHD). The monitor incorporates IPS technology. The presence of IPS technology ensures that you have a much wider viewing area compared to the normal (Twisted Nematic) screens.
2 Reviews on B&H
- Plane-to-Line Switching (PLS) Technology
- Mini-DP + DisplayPort + HDMI Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 Resolution
- 80,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
- 350 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5.1 ms Response Time
- 16.7 Million Colors
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
The screen supports a contrast ratio of 1000:1 (dynamic contrast of 80,000,000:1) and supports up to 16.7 million colors. Additionally, the monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut.
The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚. The monitor comes with a special anti-glare coating that suppresses disturbing screen reflections and glares. The refresh rate of the monitor is 68 – 100 kHz. The vertical refresh rate is 45–65 KHz.
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Additionally, the system has a response time of 5 ms which gives fast access to the system when working (rather playing games).
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There is a useful Viewing Mode option on the monitor which ensures that you can toggle between the different modes based on what you are looking at (editing photos, playing games or surfing the net). This automatically adjusts the brightness of the display screen as well as contrast and color temperature for a better viewing experience.
9. HP Pavilion 32-inch QHD
The HP Pavilion is a giant 32″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. This is kind of a disappointment as the extremely large monitor real estate could have easily supported 4K / UHD resolution and give a sharper and more detailed picture. For photo editing purposes that is exactly what we photographers require.
36 Reviews on B&H
- 32' LCD Monitor
- HDMI & DisplayPort Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 Resolution
- 3000:1 Static Contrast Ratio
- 300 cd/m² Brightness
- 7 ms Response Time (GtG)
- Covers 100% of sRGB Color Space
- Tilt from -5 to 21°
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
The monitor has a horizontal frequency of 68 – 100 kHz and a vertical frequency of 46 – 65 kHz. The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚.
At par with all the good monitors that we have discussed here. 8-bit color depth supports 16.7 million colors. The monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The monitor incorporates IPS technology which means the viewing angle is a bit better than TN displays.
![Color calibration software Color calibration software](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126016372/619838594.jpg)
The dynamic contrast ratio of the monitor is 80,000,000:1 and the response time is 5 ms.
Just like the ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD above, the HP Pavilion V1M69AA#ABA too comes with a few viewing modes.
You need to switch the modes using the gaming mode hotkeys. Though this has been designed for gaming aesthetics you can always try out different settings based on the kind of work that you are going.
10. LG 27UD58-B 27-Inch 4K UHD
I have mixed emotions when I am about to write about the LG 27UD58-B 27-Inch 4K UHD. You will know about it when you have finished reading this part. The LG 27″ is a 4K / UHD monitor.
33 Reviews on B&H
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- HDMI + DisplayPort Inputs
- 3840 x 2160 Resolution
- Dynamic Mega Contrast
- 250 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Colors
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
I love the higher resolution, especially, when the display real estate is large to support. The LG 27UD58-B is big. The extra resolution means you can easily get a larger view of the images you are editing without having to minimize the image too much. Something that every photographer/photo editor loves.
The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚. It allows you a larger viewing angle. Additionally, the monitor comes with support for 1.07 billion colors. The response time of the monitor is 5 ms.
The monitor covers 72% of the sRGB color gamut and has a maximum brightness of 250 cd/m2. That is kind of lame. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9 while the refresh rate is 60 Hz.
Primarily a gaming monitor, the LG 27UD58-B also comes with some gaming specific features like the LG proprietary FreeSync technology. The rare moments when you choose to play PUBG or GTA, you will experience less tear and jitters. Though, not something that is the first priority for any photographer. The other feature is the split screen technology that allows you to divide the screen between two windows when you are multitasking.
A major issue with the monitor, however, is the absence of a USB port. This is a major drawback of the monitor. Another issue of the product is that you can adjust the height as well as tilt it, but you will not be able to swivel or pivot the monitor. The curved stand that comes with the monitor does not allow those functions.
![Best Color Calibration Tool For Mac Best Color Calibration Tool For Mac](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126016372/367986527.png)
So, as you can imagine, what the high resolution and the big display wins for the LG 27UD58-B, the low brightness level and the lack of a USB hub (and the USB-C port) loses it.
11. AOC Q3277FQE 32-Inch Class MVA LED Monitor
The AOC Q3277FQE is a large 32″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. The monitor has a peak brightness of 300 cd/ m². The TFT Active matrix MVA panel produces exceptionally vibrant images. That said I don’t quite like the fact that the display resolution is so low. Being a 32″ monitor I would have preferred that the monitor has UHD / 4K resolution. That way the images would have been sharper with more detail.
5 Reviews on B&H
- 32' TFT Active Matrix MVA Panel
- VGA / DVI / DisplayPort / HDMI Inputs
- 2560 x 1440 Resolution
- 20,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
- 300 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 5 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Color Depth
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
The monitor has a response of 5 ms. Plus, it has a 178 ˚ viewing angle giving you a greater degree of freedom when it comes to editing (or watching videos). The monitor supports up to 1.0 billion colors and has a dynamic contrast ratio of 20,000,000:1. The panel has a color depth of 8-bit.
Monitor screens (as well as laptop screens) are fingerprint magnets. That is why manufacturers go great distances in order to create a panel that can resist such smudges and dirt. The AOC Q3277FQE has an anti-glare coating that not only prevents smudges and dirt accumulating on the panel but also lets the screen be easily viewable even in bright light.
There are several connection points on the monitor but what’s missing is the USB plugin and more specifically the USB-C option.
Mac Color Calibration Tool
12. PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420 24″
The PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420 is a 24″ monitor with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:10. This is slightly larger than the usual 16:9 aspect ratio of other monitors. The static contrast ratio of the monitor is 1500:1 and the peak brightness is 400 cd/ m².
15 Reviews on B&H
- In-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology
- DVI-D + DisplayPort + HDMI Inputs
- 1920 x 1200 Screen Resolution
- 1,500:1 Static Contrast Ratio
- 400 cd/m² Brightness
- 178°/178° Viewing Angles
- 10 ms Response Time
- 1.07 Billion Colors
- Built-In USB 3.0 Hub
- Built-In Calibration Sensor
B&H price as of 2019-09-07
Thanks to the IPS technology that this monitor incorporates, viewing angle on the monitor is 178˚ which ensure that anything displayed on the monitor is discernable even from an acute angle. The monitor has a response time of 10 ms.
Also, the monitor supports 99% of the Adobe RGB color gamut. A unique feature of the monitor is the presence of a built-in calibration sensor. This sensor makes it redundant to use an external/third party calibration tool to calibrate the monitor from time to time. In order to calibrate your monitor all you need to do is select the presets and the ColorNavigator 6 software will create an ICC profile by employing the monitor’s LUT thereby calibrating the colors.
The ColorNavigator NX Quality control software comes preloaded into the monitor. That means you don’t have to recalibrate if you change your PC (connect your monitor to a different PC).
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Another feature of the ColorEdge is the Digital Uniformity Equalizer technology. This technology results in a uniform, and that way, better brightness, and chromaticity across the display.
This technology also does something even more important and that neutralizes the color temperature changes that result from a change in temperature of the monitor. This has a profound impact when you are editing your images and maintains the integrity of the colors especially if you plan on printing your images later on.
There are two aspects of this monitor which makes it suitable for using outdoors.
First is the light-shield and the second is the carrying handle. One thing we really like about this monitor is it comes with a light-shielding hood. If you are working in a brightly lit room and the glare of the lights is affecting your display and your work this is probably the thing that you would order with a monitor. You get this for free with the PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420.
Thanks to the carrying handle you can use it outdoors or change its location as often as required without the associated hassles.
What we don’t like about this monitor is its lower resolution which defeats the whole purpose of getting a big monitor. At 24″ they could have incorporated a UHD resolution.
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Note: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Certain content that appears on PhotoWorkout.com comes from Amazon. This content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time.Your new computer is ready and just waiting for that nudge of the mouse. Wait! Have you forgotten something? Monitor color calibration is one of the basic steps most of us forget or ignore.
Pixel perfect monitor calibration is a cardinal rule for photographers and graphic artists. If you are either of those, you know all about monitor calibration. Others should read on.
Why Is Display Calibration So Important?
A good monitor is expensive. But its impact will be lost if you don’t take the pain to carefully (and intermittently) calibrate your monitor. The colors on the screen may not be the exact match of what they actually are.
Just imagine that you took a beautiful panoramic snap and downloaded it to your computer. Only to find out that the blue of the sky or the green of the grass doesn’t resemble the one you saw through the viewfinder.
Today, it’s a lot about watching online movies, snapping digital photos and sharing image files. Color calibrating monitorsWhat Is Monitor Calibration, and How Will It Make Your Photos Look Better?What Is Monitor Calibration, and How Will It Make Your Photos Look Better?Calibrating a monitor ensures that colors are displayed accurately, as well as consistently across every display, even when printed.Read More is important to get as close to the real thing as possible.
Graphics professionals will pick up serious color accuracy test tools for the job like the Datacolor Spyder5Elite S5EL100 Monitor Calibration System. Some of you will go with the default monitor calibration software built into the OS.
But we can also take some online help from these simple monitor calibration websites that have existed for a long time.
1. Photo Friday
Photo Friday is a photography site. Think of the challenges involved in adjusting the brightness and contrast of a shot5 Easy Ways to Lighten Dark Underexposed Photos in Photoshop5 Easy Ways to Lighten Dark Underexposed Photos in PhotoshopWe all shoot underexposed photos from time to time. If you're shooting in low-light or high-contrast conditions it can be unavoidable. Fortunately, it's easy to fix in Photoshop.Read More and you get the reason why you should calibrate your monitor. So, drop down to the link for their monitor calibration tool at the foot of the homepage or hit the link above.
The site offers this simple one-page monitor calibration tool to adjust the brightness and contrast of your screen with the help of the grayscale tones. The idea is to tweak the monitor settings (or buttons) so that you can clearly distinguish the transition of tones from true black to true white.
After calibration, the blacks should look black and without any hint of grey.
The instructions start off by telling you to dim the lights and hit F11 for viewing the grayscale chart in full-screen mode. Observe your monitor from your normal viewing distance.
2. The Lagom LCD Monitor Test Pages
The Lagom LCD Monitor Test Pages are a far more comprehensive set of tools than Photo Friday. The site includes a series of test patterns that start from checking contrast to checking for response times of your monitor. It is recommended to go through the tests in the order they are placed.
For instance, use the first few images to check brightness, contrast, and sharpness. With those set, use a latter test like the “Viewing Angle” to see if the display changes brightness or colors in the corners.
For a beginner, it might seem overwhelming. But, the test patterns come with helpful explanations. The developer also states that you can put the images on a USB drive and try them in the computer store when shopping for an LCD monitor. A 120KB ZIP file download is included.
3. Online Monitor Test
The Online Monitor Test website has a range of interactive tests to fix your screen colors. The menu appears when you move your mouse to the top. Start off with a test checks brightness and contrast across the B/W tonal spectrum. It is similar to the test we covered on the Photo Friday website.
Next, the Color Range test checks if your monitor can smoothly produce color gradients. From the menu, you can pick different color charts.
Look for “ghost images” or image trails in the Trailing test. Move the box across the screen and check if any trails are produced. The controls and options to change the color and shape of the box are placed at the bottom.
The Homogeneity test helps to pinpoint damaged pixels and faulty monitors with backlight bleeding. 1:1 Pixel mapping and testing for a blurring of Text are the last two tests on the lineup. While the former is not so much an issue with LCD computer monitors, the latter is worth a tryout if you feel that screen text is not crisp enough.
If you are setting up a dual monitorThe Complete Guide to Setting Up Multiple Displays in Windows 10The Complete Guide to Setting Up Multiple Displays in Windows 10For your productivity, two screens are better than one. Let's see how you can customize your second monitor with the best tools available online.Read More, try the Text Reproduction test across the connected displays and test for input lag.
4. Monitor Calibration and Gamma Assessment
Remember, we were talking about Gamma values just a while back? Well, this whole page and the test associated with it is devoted to it. The importance and process are clearly laid out and it’s helpful for any tyro. The most important takeaway is that color saturation and hue change with gamma values.
These things come to the fore when you are trying to use color correction in Adobe Premiere Pro and other video editing tools.
The author also provides a series of “Gamagic” test patterns you can use to calibrate your monitor. Fall back on your eyes and adjust the gamma setting with the monitor controls until all the squares match up with their backgrounds as closely as possible.
Best Color Calibration For Monitors
5. W4ZT
This single page screen calibration chart has few of the test images we have already covered in the earlier tools. Go through the color, greyscale and gamma adjustments.
The one feature going for it is that it is easy to understand. Just follow the instructions and you will be able to tune your monitor for optimum viewing.
How Is Your Own Color Perception?
All you need is a good eye. But, how is your own color perception? Take this quick (but fun) color challenge test to find out.
Also, before you start off fine-tuning your monitor, follow these three rules first:
- Turn on your monitor and allow it to warm up for 30 minutes or so.
- Set your monitor at the highest native screen resolution it supports.
- Get familiar with the display controls for your monitor.
You monitor also might have a calibration software in your computer.
Windows 10 comes with the Windows Calibrate Display Color. You can access it from Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Display. Or, simply search from the Cortana search box with a keyword like “calibrate”.
On the macOS Sierra, use the Display Calibrator Assistant. You can access it from Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > Color > Calibrate. Or you can also use Spotlight.
Most users don’t need to browbeat themselves over the steps or depend on third-party tools. Unless you are a professional photographer or a graphic designer who needs high-fidelity colors, these basic tools should be enough.
Check out the best 4K monitors or best cheap gaming monitors if you’re looking to upgrade. And if you’re interested in using more than one monitor3 Easy Steps to a Dual Monitor Setup and an Extended Desktop3 Easy Steps to a Dual Monitor Setup and an Extended DesktopA dual monitor setup is wonderful. But does your PC support multiple monitors? We'll show you how to use two monitors or more.Read More at a time, take a look at how easy the setup can be:
Image Credit: By Claudio Divizia/Shutterstock
Explore more about: Computer Maintenance, Computer Monitor, Multiple Monitors, Screen Brightness, Troubleshooting.
- Oops. Forgot to say thanks...Thanks.
- I have two systems connected to one monitor, which has been a real problem with consistency.
Yesterday I calibrated one with a spyder 2 and the other with Calibrize.Both are now so close to each other that I can finally trust what I am seeing is correct. - I have two systems connected to one monitor, which has been a real problem with consistency.
Yesterday I calibrated one with a spyder 2 and the other with Calibrize.Both are now so close to each other that I can finally trust what I am seeing is correct.- Oops. Forgot to say thanks...Thanks.
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