Colors Vary from one Computer to the next?

[chimera_h]

<p>When giving a CD of digital images to someone, how can their computer show the same colors/tones as mine? I looked at my images on someone elses computer and the colors are different from what I saw on mine. So frustrating. Plus, I don't know how to adjust my pictures so they look good on her computer...without editing on her computer.</p>

<p>Hope that makes sense.<br>

Thanks!</p>

[eric friedemann]

<p>CH, the best you can do is use a good, profiled monitor with your computer. There's nothing you can do about others using crappy monitors with their computers.</p>

<p>Ctein, the great dye tranfer printer, goes to some length on his site to allow people to optimize their monitors. However, even if you provide the tools, most people won't bother to use them. Even if people do use the tools, a ten year-old monitor with thousands of hours on it won't likely look good no matter what:</p>

<p><a href="http://ctein.com/postlist2.htm">http://ctein.com/postlist2.htm</a></p>

[chimera_h]

<p>I edit on a laptop and I don't believe I can calibrate one, can I?</p>

[sam_zaydel1]

<p>Any display could be calibrated. Pantone makes a number of different calibration devices.</p>

[alec_myers]

<p>Firstly calibrate your screen - profiling devices are cheap.<br>

Secondly read up on this site: <a href="http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/color-spaces-page1">http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/color-spaces-page1</a><br>

Thirdly, accept that whatever you do to the image you have no control over the calibration or lack of it of the system that the image is viewed on, nor with which program it's viewed. So the bottom line is "<strong>you can't.</strong>" Just something to live with.</p>

[chimera_h]

<p>Thanks everyone. One last thing...Is is best to use a calibrating kit from a company like Pantone or from the company from which I get most of my prints made?</p>

[chimera_h]

<p>So what shoot my proof setup be while editing? I always convert to sRGB before saving.</p>

[alec_myers]

<blockquote>

<p>Thanks everyone. One last thing...Is is best to use a calibrating kit from a company like Pantone or from the company from which I get most of my prints made?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You need something like a Pantone Huey. I'm surprised to hear that the people who supply photographic prints also make monitor calibration systems?</p>

<p> </p>

[ryan_lasek]

<p>EODIS2 Eye-One Display 2 is the best great results I got my on amazon! Works in a flash and can see results read the reviews</p>

[chimera_h]

<p>Wait..no one answered. What should my Proof Setup be while editing? Do I convert to sRGB before saving? </p>

[alec_myers]

<blockquote>

<p>Wait..no one answered. What should my Proof Setup be while editing?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Speaking for myself, I didn't answer this because I didn't understand what you're asking.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Do I convert to sRGB before saving?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It depends what you are going to do with the saved file. If you're saving a jpeg for web display, probably. If you're saving your edits to a master copy of an image, probably not.</p>

[chimera_h]

<p>I think I figured the first question out. If I'm saving a jpeg for print then what should I do to the image? Do I convert it or assign it to sRGB or some other profile? So confused.</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>Depends on where you're printing the JPEG. If at a typical minilab, use sRGB. That's close enough to the color profiles used by most minilabs. For more specific info, look <a href="http://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/"><strong>here</strong> </a> .</p>

[raymondborg]

<p>The only way is to use a good monitor. You doen't have any control over other poeples monitor. But if you are passing any CD to any lab for printing, make sure you calibrate your monitior the same as the Lab. The owner of the lab can help you how to do this. Congrats.</p>

[scott_murphy_photography]

<p>I have a Pantone calibration kit that works both on CRT's (which I still have) or LCD like flatscreen or laptop. They are very easy to use, for the most part, and should give you pretty consistent results from one monitor to the other. Where it get's tricky (and a little tome consuming) is setting the correct ICC profile so your printer and monitor agree.</p>