X-Rite ColorMunki Photo 101

Ron Martinsen

http://ronmartblog.com

Quick Poll • Mac Users?

• PC Users?

– XP?

– Windows 7?

– Other?

Who the heck is Ron Martinsen?

• Author of ronmartblog.com • Sponsored by X-Rite, Canon, Nik Software, etc… and supported by Epson

& many others • Guest blogger for B&H & Rick Sammon (in-progress) • Featured on Scott Kelby & X-Rite’s blog • Teaching this summer with Bryan Peterson • Printing series worked closely with Canon, Epson and top master printers

and printing companies in the US • Just like you too… • Much more to come…

Seeing Color

• Colors values are absolute but the rendering of those colors varies drastically depending on the output target

• Pink is a great example and reds are the hardest

• Wide gamut displays and backlighting complicate matters even more

• Test at http://www.xritephoto.com/ph_toolframe.aspx?action=coloriq

Color Illusions

A & B are different colors, right?

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same_color_illusion

Color Illusions

WRONG!

They are the same!

Our minds can play games with us

based on how we expect things to be.

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same_color_illusion

Types of ColorMunki

• Create & Design – Not for Photographers

• Photo – The black one

Setting up your environment • Avoid light directly on your

monitor

– Consider a monitor hood

• No windows or heavy blinds

• Some ambient light is good

Calibrating your display

• Let your display warm up for 30 minutes prior to calibration

• Only takes about 10 – 15 minutes to calibrate your display • Once a month is fine unless you notice problems or are

doing a high-end job – Some people calibrate before each editing session, but I don’t – Frequent calibration useful for drastic ambient lighting

conditions

Getting started

• It doesn’t matter if you do the

display and printer at the same

time

• This example will use the first

button

Verify Display Type

• Choose your display type

• Most can choose Easy

• Advanced is handy for those who

want to

• Measure the ambient light

• Tweak the luminance level or

target white point values

• When in doubt, accept the

defaults

http://www.xritephoto.com/documents/literature/en/MonitorSetColorMunkiCalNTK_EN.pdf

Switch to Calibrate

Switch back to Measure

Ready to Continue

Place on Display

Create ICC Profile File

Begin Printer Profiling • Create first time, and

Optimize to do additional passes to refine the profile

• Use the printer and name the paper you are profiling (important)

Print Test Chart • You must turn color

management off in your printer driver and ALWAYS use those settings when profiling or using your profile • Save as a preset

• http://www.xritephoto.com/ph_learning.aspx?action=browse&parent=3&topic=8#article is a good resource

Measure 1st Chart

Print 2nd Test Chart • This is where the magic happens

• You must use the same printer settings as the 1st test chart!

Measure 2nd Test Chart

Save Printer ICC Profile • I like to include the profiling

device and date in the profile name

Profiles Location (Mac)

Profiles Location (Mac)

Profiles Location (Mac)

Profiles Location (Mac)

Profiles Location (Mac)

Profiles Location (Mac)

Monitor Profiles (Mac)

Profiles Location (PC)

• C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color

• Can right click and choose install (first time

only) or drop in folder

Color Management Control Panel (Windows 7)

Examining your Profile • Chromix ColorThink Pro

• http://www.ronmartblog.com/2010/11/printing-series-chromix-colorthink-pro.html

• Shouldn’t have chunks missing

• Can compare profiles against each other

• Demo (time permitting)

• Discount on ronmartblog.com

Using your paper profile

• Photoshop Demo

• Lightroom Demo

Photoshop (CS5 Mac)

Image from my HDR Workshop DVD by Trey Ratcliff of StuckInCustoms.com article

Photoshop (Epson 3880 Driver)

Lightroom 3.3 (Mac)

Image from my HDR Workshop DVD by Trey Ratcliff of StuckInCustoms.com article

Lightroom 3.3 (Mac)

Lightroom 3.3 (Mac)

More Information

• http://www.ronmartblog.com

• http://www.xritephoto.com

• http://www.ronmartblog.com/2010/08/review-perfect-print-dvd-series-by.html (MUST OWN)

Good & Bad Profile Examples • Canon MP560 Example from Article

• LexJet 3800, ColorMunki, i1XTreme, & Colorbyte

ImagePrint on Epson 3880 examples

• Canon iPF6300 Examples

10 Top Print Masters on Profiles • Randy Hufford

• Tyler Stableford

• Eddie Tapp

• Michel Tcherevkoff

• Bambi Cantrell

• John Paul Caponigro

• Douglas Dubler

• Greg Gorman

• R. Mac Holbert

• Vincent Versace

http://www.ronmartblog.com/p/printing-series-articles.html

Q&A

• Multi-Mon & NEC PA Series

• ColorMunki vs i1 Series Solutions

• DIY Profiles vs RIP’s & Profile Services

Visit ronmartblog.com • Discounts on: Photoshop Add-ins by Nik Software, Topaz,

Photomatix, onOne Software & More Exclusive discounts on ColorByte ImagePrint,

Chromix ColorThink Pro Gear (i.e., ThinkTankPhoto, RayFlash, ioSafe, & more) Services (Chromix ColorValet, Smugmug, Mozy &

more)