Digital Photo Tips by Duane Brovan

(Article also posted in the Ridge Rider News)

Tip #17: Computer Monitors

All computers need a monitor to view files and photos. There are two basic types of monitors available to the consumer and they are LCD)/TFT (Liquid Crystal Display)/(Active matrix) and CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube). Both range in viewing size with the larger viewing area costing more. Each monitor type has two levels of color quality: Non-Color Accurate/Level 1 (usually less expensive and most popular) and Color Accurate/Level 2 (expensive used by professionals). Picking the right monitor for your use is very important and can make things easier or harder for you. The average person that views emails and occasionally views and prints digital photos would be fine with a non color accurate monitor, and a person that takes lots of photos and prints them out might consider a color accurate monitor. Here is a brief description of the two types of monitors and color quality levels (Color Management).

LCD/TFT Monitors: This is the way of the future and almost all new computer and monitor manufactures are producing these monitors pushing their price down. They have almost flat monitor cases and flat screens and take up only a third the space and energy of the CRT. There is less eyestrain because rays are not being shot towards your face like the CRT. Like other electronic items they range from low to high quality. Usually the higher quality screens can be viewed from different angles and still be clear with the same color intensity as viewing the monitor straight on. This is known as Viewing Angle and can go form approximately 30 degrees to 170 degrees. A monitor with a small Viewing Angle can get annoying at times especially if you are trying to show someone else a photo or work on your screen. As technology changes the LCD/TFT will get better in color, viewing angle and should go down in price. Currently LCD/TFT monitors range in price from $250-$3,000 Level 1 (non-color accurate) to $1,700-$5,000 Level 2 (color accurate).

CRT Monitors: These are the large TV like monitors that we all have and used to see everywhere. Because of the popularity of the LCD/TFT monitor most if not all monitor manufactures have discontinued producing CRT monitors. Just look in computer magazines and at computer departments. Although this type monitor has its drawbacks (large cases, high energy usage, and can heat up a room), they do give a person a large viewing angle (170+) and color accuracy for a much lower price then the LCD/TFT at this time. Some color accurate CRT monitors can still be found and at very low prices $370-$750 (while supplies last).

Color Accuracy/Color Management:

Not all monitors are considered to be Color Accurate! Monitors are like printers in that they all have a range of colors (Color Gamut) they can reproduce. Most monitors have a slightly smaller color gamut compared to a digital camera’s sRGB setting. Color accurate monitors show most of the sRGB color gamut and can be Color Calibrated/Color Managed (making sure monitor colors are set to an industry standard and match your prints). Non-Color accurate monitors might show less then the sRGB color gamut. This is one reason your print from your printer does not look like what is on your monitor. You are not seeing all the colors on your monitor. A properly calibrated color accurate monitor should print almost exactly like what is on the monitor. This saves in printing costs and also saves time (what you see is what you get). Color accurate monitors cost much more then Non-Color accurate monitors, and a Color Calibrator ($150-$300) is required to keep color on your monitor accurate. For more information on the digital photo process go to web link: www.duanebrovan.com/digitaltips or go to www.GoShingletown.com and click on the Free Digital Tips Icon. Duane Brovan is available for digital photo consultations and tutoring: Call 474-4041 Email: Duane@DuaneBrovan.com Visit: www.duanebrovan.com/digitaltips.