Back to Basics (Episode 9): Colour Management
Includes colour correction and colour profiling
After a long break in my Back to Basics series, I’m back with an very challenging but important core topic: Colour Management.
In this episode, I cover:
- Colour management
- Colour correction
- Camera, monitor and printer calibration / profiling
Some may argue that this topic shouldn’t be be part of a “basics” tutorial series but I argue that if you don’t have a handle on colour, what’s the point of being accurate in all other things you do in DSLR photography? You should at least know the issue of consistent and accurate colour exists and how to solve it if you choose to.
Even if you only shot in black and white colour management is critical. How can you be sure if that the shadow detail you worked on so hard will make it into your final print? You can’t be sure without a solid colour management workflow.
The key take away is that you’re trying to achieve consistent colour across all your devices that manage colour independently:
Consistent, and accurate, colour can only be achieved through an end-to-end colour management workflow.
The most important step you can take right now is to calibrate your monitor. I explain why that is and how that gets done.
As usual, I hope you enjoy this episode. I really value your feedback so please post a comment if you watched it.
For the best viewing experience, go full screen and select 720p quality.
Recommended Products
Here’s links for the products I recommend at the end of the episode:
- X-Rite ColorMunki Display ($135 until Dec 31, 2012 — reg: $160)
- X-Rite ColorChecker Passport ($100)
- X-Rite ColorMunki Display and X-Rite ColorChecker Passport Kit ($184 until Dec 31. reg: $220)
More Learning
Here’s some additional resources to help you with this challenging topic:
Take control of color, shorten color editing time and get prints that match what you see on your monitor! Join host and X-Rite Coloratti Joe Brady as he takes you step-by-step through the techniques and gear that will make great color fast, easy and repeatable.
- X-Rite Complete Guide to Color Management (PDF)
- Good video on colour basics (RGB vs. CMYK)
- X-Rite ColorChecker Passport Review by Luminous Landscapes
Be sure to also watch the rest of Learning DSLR Back to Basics.
