Why Color Accuracy Matters in My Editing Workflow

Sponsored by Datacolor.

If the colors on my screen are not accurate, it is harder to trust the decisions I am making in an edit. I have used SpyderPro by Datacolor for years, and matching my stacked monitors is one of the reasons it stays part of my workflow.

It is not only about a single screen. When I shared this video, I also talked about soft-proofing and looking at how work will be seen across devices and print. Those are useful things to keep in mind when the finished image is going somewhere beyond the editing desk.

The work around the image

There is more to finishing a photograph than moving sliders until it looks good on one display. For me, checking color is part of giving those choices a more consistent starting point.

If you already own a Spyder, check the software and hardware compatibility for your specific model. Datacolor's available features and upgrade paths vary, so do not assume the tools in my video apply to every sensor. Official Spyder upgrade and compatibility information.

A few finished examples

These photographs show the kind of finished work I review on a calibrated display. The scenes are very different—from layered canyon color and water to mixed cave lighting and a softer coastal sunset—but each one depends on being able to trust the color and contrast decisions I am making.

What is one part of your editing setup you wish you had paid attention to sooner?