Holiday Gift Guide: Correct Color from X-Rite

Today’s Post by Joe Farace

There are usually two causes for photographers not being happy with with the color of their prints or images posted to social media or elsewhere on line:

• For prints: it’s almost always dirty and clogged print heads. Tip: Take the time to print a test sheet before wasting precious ink and photo paper making prints. I just use inexpensive office paper for test prints and the results will tell you if you need to clean your heads. And if you do, clean’em, thus producing prints with proper color. Or it may be…
• For image files or on-line use: It’s very possible your monitor may not be calibrated and showing you want looks correct but is in fact—not. That’s when you need to calibrate the monitor to show correct color.

If you’re looking for a gift suggestion that doesn’t come with a monthly bill, let me suggest: X-Rite has two new bundles the i1 Photographer Kit and ColorMunki Photographer Kit, just in time for your favorite photographer’s holiday gear bag.

The i1 Photographer Kit consists of an i1Display Pro calibration device and software offers a combination of color precision, speed and control for on-screen color accuracy, including mobile devices and projectors. Also included is the ColorChecker Passport Photo, a pocket-sized tool for any photographer looking for more accurate, consistent color. Both will let you produce custom camera profiles to get consistent predictable and repeatable color from image-to-image and camera-to-camera in any kind of lighting situation.

The slightly less expensive ColorMunki Photographer Kit uses easy, wizard-driven software to quickly and easily gain color control and consistency from capture to edit. The Kit consists of the ColorMunki Display calibration device and software delivers professional level on-screen color accuracy, including support for mobile devices and projectors. Also included is the ColorChecker Passport Photo, a convenient pocket-sized tool for any photographer looking for more accurate, consistent color and creative flexibility.

My book “Creative Monochrome Effects” is available from Amazon for a really low price right now and makes a great holiday gift. If you’ve been thinking about creating some creative monochrome images, you can pick up a new copy for a little more than five bucks with used copies available at virtually giveaway prices.