When did you first understand the importance of color to the photographic process?
When I started being seriously involved in digital photography in 2002 I immediately recognized that reliable colours on my monitor and colour profiles for my printer are vital for great results.
What is the most important aspect of color management that an aspiring photographer should know?
One should have a good understanding of colour profiles and the way the own equipment is working with profiles. A good base is a solid screen that is calibrated.
Give an example of the ways in which a solid knowledge of color management (or an accurate color environment) helped you – on a project? In a consultancy situation?
I am working on a project about Scandinavia and I’m producing a range of images that are either very bright or very dark. Colour management helps to make sure that the output in the different media is as good as possible and that the subtle differences in shades are visible.
Why are you committed to using X-Rite products?
Since 2002 I am using X-Rite products because I know I can trust them blindly. I use them for calibrating screens, digital projectors and printers and I know that the instruments and software are always top-notch.
How important are the latest color management tools in today’s industry? Why?
If one keeps updated with new technology in terms of cameras and computers I believe one should also with calibrating devices. It’s just the whole line of image production.
What does the (near) future hold for the photo industry, in your opinion? Do you think color management will be more or less important – why?
I believe it will be as important as ever. More and more photographers are producing a range of products themselves and more and more options exist to reproduce existing images in a variety of ways. Showing images in print and displaying them digitally is very important and its absolutely vital that the audience is able to enjoy the same colours as the photographer intended. All of these have to be accurate in colour and the X-Rite has the range of products to accommodate these needs.
How is color management related to your artistic process?
It’s the base. It starts with a calibrated screen. I don’t calibrate my camera as I to a certain extent can live with colour shifts. Most of my work consists of “wrong colours”. But as soon as I upload them on my desk I want to have a reliable colour process. I do multivision shows and it’s very important for me that colours are presented well on a large screen and for exhibitions … needless to say … I want that colours are best reproduced on a variety of papers.
Do you see color management as an advantage for saving money?
Especially when printing it’s a matter of not guessing how colours will appear in print and making a series of test prints. Large prints on expensive paper can be cost intensive so I need to make sure that I produce prints that are perfect from the start.