When did you first understand the importance of colour to the photography process?
Once I began printing in house I appreciated the value of having calibrated monitors and also using Color Checkers. I’m sure the labs I was using wished I had begun using colour management sooner too. I used to colour manage by holding a print to my screen, as you can imagine, this was not a good idea and would cause me more headaches than if I just used a colour management system.
What is the most important aspect of colour management that an aspiring photographer should know?
Every camera has different colour science, and a photographer must appreciate that accurate colour management is essential when wanting to produce accurate colours for clients. It is a normal part of my workflow.
Give an example of the ways in which a solid knowledge of colour management (or an accurate colour environment) helped you – on a project? In a consultancy situation?
I was asked to produce some imagery for a 5-star hotel. I knew having the right colour management tools would make my imagery stand out even more. This is especially key when you are working in different locations and you need to keep your colour consistent.
How important are the latest colour management tools in today’s industry? Why?
The tools I use are small and can fit in my camera bag with ease. They are quite easy to use and well worth investing in to get that edge over your competitors and also produce beautiful imagery.
What does the (near) future hold for the photo/video industry, in your opinion? Do you think colour management will be more or less important – why?
Colour management is becoming more important in the photography and filming industry. There is no point me taking photos of a product using a Color Checker, then filming the same product and not using a Color Checker. Colour management helps me produce images to a high standard and also saves me time trying to colour balance by eye.
How is color management related to your artistic process?
My work involves studio and location work, so colour management plays a big part in my workflow. Once a shot is set my Color Checker is used, simple yet quick and extremely effective.
Do you see color management as an advantage for saving money?
Besides your camera and lenses, a colour management system is the most important part of your workflow. It will save you time in post-production, which in turn will save you money. Quite frankly, if you want beautiful, accurate colour you should at least be using a Color Checker.