the new blog where the design has been updated. Here is to new beginnings!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Moving to encompus.com/blog
Over the next month I will be transferring from Blogger to our newly designed blog. Access the new Blog here. I have really enjoyed using Blogger. It's very easy to use and maintain, however our needs have changed and we are moving to WordPress. I have had colorcritical up and running since 2003 and in that time it has been stable and easy to use and update. Thanks Blogger! I invite you to check out
the new blog where the design has been updated. Here is to new beginnings!
the new blog where the design has been updated. Here is to new beginnings!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Colorworks AIGA Event
I will be speaking about color management and the web at the COLORWORKS AIGA event 9am - 4pm at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at USD on Saturday February 23, 2008.
The event will feature Leatrice Eiseman, Color Guru at Pantone as well as Paul Wharton of Larsen. The event centers around color theory, branding, and color forecasting as well as my technical discussion on Color Management and the Wild Wild Web.
If you have free time come down, I am sure it will be a great event and you will feel the energy that surrounds color and it's meaning and communication.
See you there!
The event will feature Leatrice Eiseman, Color Guru at Pantone as well as Paul Wharton of Larsen. The event centers around color theory, branding, and color forecasting as well as my technical discussion on Color Management and the Wild Wild Web.
If you have free time come down, I am sure it will be a great event and you will feel the energy that surrounds color and it's meaning and communication.
See you there!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Color Control Freak 08
It was freezing cold in Grand Rapids this last week. I have never been so cold. But then again, I am used to San Diego weather where if it rains for more than a few centimeters it makes major news.
I meet with fellow color freaks Mark Gundlach and Phil Nelson. We went over the new 08 seminar materials and I must say I am excited to present this years content. It's a little different than years past with some added material from Pantone.
The one day seminar is sponsored by X-Rite, HP, Pantone, and Eizo. With updated content and easy going approach to color, Color Control Freak 08 will surely be interesting. I will be speaking in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Portland, Denver, Dallas, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Houston.
The seminar series dates are:
I meet with fellow color freaks Mark Gundlach and Phil Nelson. We went over the new 08 seminar materials and I must say I am excited to present this years content. It's a little different than years past with some added material from Pantone.
The one day seminar is sponsored by X-Rite, HP, Pantone, and Eizo. With updated content and easy going approach to color, Color Control Freak 08 will surely be interesting. I will be speaking in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Portland, Denver, Dallas, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Houston.
The seminar series dates are:
| Miami, FL | 3/18/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Minneapolis, MN | 3/18/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Nashville, TN | 3/20/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Kansas City, MO | 3/20/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Cincinnati, OH | 3/25/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Portland, OR | 3/25/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Charlotte, NC | 3/27/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Denver, CO | 3/27/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Chicago, IL | 4/1/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Atlanta, GA | 4/1/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Dallas, TX | 4/8/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Raleigh, NC | 4/8/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| San Diego, CA | 4/15/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Washington DC | 4/15/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Los Angeles, CA | 4/29/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| New York, NY | 4/29/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Boston, MA | 5/6/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| San Francisco, CA | 5/6/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Seattle, WA | 5/13/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Toronto, CANADA | 5/13/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Detroit, MI | 5/20/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Houston, TX | 5/27/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Philadelphia, PA | 5/27/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
| Indianapolis, IN | 6/3/2008 | 9am - 5pm | ||
|
Monday, February 04, 2008
ICC Profile Use in CSS3
There will come a day when most of our OS, applications, devices, and browser experiences are color managed. Right now, we are close in some respects but still pretty far in other respects. If you read my prior post on browser compatibility, you found out that with respect to images, they should be embedded with sRGB, but that only helps if your viewing the images on a browser that supports embedded profiles (otherwise the display profile is used as source).
Let's say we were talking about non image elements, like gray backgrounds or orange headers. How should those elements be color managed, especially if your designer is using Photoshop for conceptual layout? If the web designer uses sRGB as the "Working Space" as he/she is supposed to do, what happens at the level of the Web Producer.
The Web Producer does the splicing of the PS file and makes PNG or GIF files out of the individual elements or he codes directly the hex values into CSS. However, one can not embed a profile into a PNG or GIF. This is where CSS3 comes in. CSS3 will allow the Web Producer to set the color profile for the entire coded page, in this case sRGB. That way when the designer and the producer compare the published beta site and the Photoshop preview the two match (of course right now only in Safari).
It will be great day when all modern browsers use embedded profiles and CSS3 becomes a common standard. If your looking for a fantastic tutorial on the subject check out gballard.net.
Let's say we were talking about non image elements, like gray backgrounds or orange headers. How should those elements be color managed, especially if your designer is using Photoshop for conceptual layout? If the web designer uses sRGB as the "Working Space" as he/she is supposed to do, what happens at the level of the Web Producer.
The Web Producer does the splicing of the PS file and makes PNG or GIF files out of the individual elements or he codes directly the hex values into CSS. However, one can not embed a profile into a PNG or GIF. This is where CSS3 comes in. CSS3 will allow the Web Producer to set the color profile for the entire coded page, in this case sRGB. That way when the designer and the producer compare the published beta site and the Photoshop preview the two match (of course right now only in Safari).
It will be great day when all modern browsers use embedded profiles and CSS3 becomes a common standard. If your looking for a fantastic tutorial on the subject check out gballard.net.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
San Diego Padres
Chris Hardy is staff photographer the Padres and uses a Fuji Pictrography 4500 and Epson 7800 for output. The San Diego Padres are a long time client of ours. Here is the profile I built for the 4500 on Fuji Glossy if anyone cares to test it or use it in their system. 1-PG4500-Glossy.icc
The real story is in the path it took to get there - just to make a profile. Chis updated his Dual G4 to Leopard and his Adaptec AHA 2930CU SCSI card which is his primary connection to the Pictrography 4500 lost it's driver. Because Chris did a complete reinstall of Leopard, the SCSI driver was not installed and destroyed. Unfortunately Adaptec stopped supporting the Mac OX with their SCSI Adapters long ago - so a quick check on the website led me into a dark corner. Luckily a google search of "Adaptec AHA 2030cu Driver for 10.5" yielded this Adaptec driver from Version Tracker and it worked!
Another mystery solved! Thanks Chris for lunch and your continued support and we will see you next time! I have a good feeling about the Padres this year!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
ColorGeek2 Forum
I guess I am a color geek, although I prefer color freak. What better a place for a color freak to browse and compose than in a forum dedicated to color management. Sure there are lots of forums but because ColorGeek2 is moderated by The Dans, Dan Gillespie and Dan Reid, two true geeks. I had to join and participate.
The ColorGeek2 Forum will no doubt be populated by us consultants who really know their stuff. This is a good thing, because no one consultant can know and or have experience in all areas. In my first glance I learned of an issue in EFI ColorProof XF and it's connectivity with a HP Z-Series Printer. I myself posed a question about the latest from SWOP.org
If your looking for answers give the forum a try and as it matures I am sure you will find the answers to many color mysteries.
The ColorGeek2 Forum will no doubt be populated by us consultants who really know their stuff. This is a good thing, because no one consultant can know and or have experience in all areas. In my first glance I learned of an issue in EFI ColorProof XF and it's connectivity with a HP Z-Series Printer. I myself posed a question about the latest from SWOP.org
If your looking for answers give the forum a try and as it matures I am sure you will find the answers to many color mysteries.
Friday, January 25, 2008
X-rite Corporate Consultants Summit
This winter I had the opportunity to visit with the New X-rite Color Services team in Grand Rapids Michigan. The weather was a bit cold but that didn't stop a few us us from playing a game of disc golf (thanks to Mike LaRocca).
The summit was started by a great speech by CEO Tom Vacchiano. He was energized and passionate about where this industry is going. With the recent Pantone merger this big ship is headed toward interesting times and I am just glad to be part of it.
The technical representation from the consultants was also a breath of fresh air. From color management in textile and apparel to G7 certification we all learned from each other.
The summit was started by a great speech by CEO Tom Vacchiano. He was energized and passionate about where this industry is going. With the recent Pantone merger this big ship is headed toward interesting times and I am just glad to be part of it.
The technical representation from the consultants was also a breath of fresh air. From color management in textile and apparel to G7 certification we all learned from each other.
Monday, January 21, 2008
PMA - Las Vegas - Jan 31- Feb2
DIMA 2008
Education Tracks
As part of the PMA 08 International Convention and Trade Show
January 31 – February 2, 2008
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
All events take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, unless otherwise noted.
Color Management - Sponsored by IDEAlliance
This intensive track, sponsored by IDEAlliance, will give an advanced level of training throughout the color managed workflow. Photographers, imaging production, publishers and creative professionals will all benefit from this exciting new series of sessions.
D11 - Why Color Management?
D15 - Meeting Today’s Color Expectations
D21 - Capture: Setting Up the Studio to Maximize Color Control
D31 - The Challenge of Camera RAW
D41 - Real World Workflows for Print, Web and Mobile Output
D51 - Foolproof Proofing
D61 - Communicating Color Effectively
D11: Why Color Management?
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : The opening session answers the question "Why Color Management?" by placing color management in the big-picture both creatively and economically. Color management is the critical step photographers can take to ensuring their creative vision is more accurately represented in print, on the web or even when delivered to a cell phone. Publishers have now come to expect photographers to deliver files meeting technical specifications including the embedding of specific color profiles, image resolution, image size and file type. In this session, photographers will hear from a leading publisher about expectations and how they can better satisfy their client's needs and contribute to the overall success of a photo shoot.
Date/Time 1/29/2008 2:00 PM - 3:10 PM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: Tom Fox
Speaker Company Time Inc / American Express Publishing
D15: Meeting Today's Color Expectations
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : This panel made up of publishers, agencies and print buyers will shed light on the major roadblocks that cause delays and inefficiencies in today’s digital image workflows. How do buyers want files delivered? What file formats and color profiles are currently favored? How do deliverables change based on intended output format. What industry guidelines and specifications are available to assist photographers meet expectations.
Date/Time 1/29/2008 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Panelist: Aaron Holm
Speaker Company Industrial Color
Speaker Bio Aaron Holm’s experience spans over fifteen years of creative production and technology innovation for the entertainment, media, and technology industries. He began his career mixing audio and engineering audio systems for animated television productions at Nelvana Ltd. In the mid 1990s, Aaron worked with Getty, modeling digital video ingestion and distribution systems for stock footage. In 1998, Aaron joined Headline Media Group’s national broadcasting division to direct IT operations and develop interaction television properties with partners such as Major League Baseball and the National Football League. In 2004, Aaron founded Markham Street Media, a company focused on the development and deployment of advanced digital asset management systems. In less than two years, MSM developed a world-class client list including Victoria’s Secret, WABC Television, the US Navy, Harvard Law School, Crain Communications, Visa International, and Industrial Color.
In 2006, Aaron joined Industrial Color to manage business and software development for its GlobalEdit initiative. In less than two years, GLOBALedit has established the leadership position in digital workflow software, and led transformative initiatives with clients such as NBC Universal, Showtime Networks, Gap / Old Navy, Turner Broadcasting, and Victoria’s Secret. With a team of senior developers, an internally built and managed Tier-3 Data Center, and a culture of digital workflow pioneers, GLOBALedit is rapidly transforming the way people and organizations work with digital images.
Speaker/Moderator Moderator: David Hunter
Speaker Company Pilot Marketing
Speaker Bio David Hunter has been helping companies control and manage their color for 15 years primarily in the Graphic Arts and Photography market places. He has been teaching the 5 day Implementing Color Management Course at the PIA/GATF Graphic Arts Technical Foundation since its inception in 1996, and the Advanced Color Management Course since 1997. He moderated and planned the original GATF Color Management Conference in 1999 and has been instrumental in developing content and presenting every year since. David has researched all of the Color Management Profiling software programs as well as all of the measurement devices on the market. He has an extensive background in how all the major desktop and workflow applications work with ICC Profiles and has helped numerous companies implement color control products and procedures. He was one of the original GRACoL Experts and has been on the GRACoL committee since 2001. His lectures and seminars are very interactive, with a lot of actual, hands on usage of building and applying ICC Profiles. If you are attempting to transition to digital color, his seminars will help illuminate the process and help you understand the tools that are available to save you weeks and months of trial and error during your transition.
Speaker/Moderator Panelist: Penny Ann Dolin
Speaker Company ASU Polytechnic
Speaker Bio : Penny Ann Dolin has been involved in the graphic communications field for over 27 years. As founder and operator of Silver Sight Studio, a successful commercial photography studio based in Stamford, Connecticut, she photographed for Fortune 500 companies and traveled extensively. After receiving her Masters in Technology from Arizona State University (Phi Kappa Phi) she joined American Color, the third largest prepress company in the United States at the time ,as a member of the Corporate Research and Development team. Prior to joining the faculty at Arizona State University in 1998, she held the position of Western Region Technical Manager for American Color, with responsibilities for four facilities. She maintains her ties with industry through consulting and professional organizations. She is the lead author on Printing Technology, 5E. Exploring Digital Workflow, published by Thomson/Delmar, was published in 2006. In addition to teaching digital publishing and business classes, she currently runs the ASU Polytechnic Photo Studio, a contextual learning studio that shoots commercially for internal customers.
Speaker/Moderator Panelist: Tom Fox
Speaker Company Time Inc / AMEX Publishing
Speaker/Moderator Panelist: Stephen Hart
Speaker Company Hearst Publishing
D21: Capture, Setting Up the Studio to Maximize Color Control
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management GS
Abstract : All digital photography begins with image capture. There are many choices the photographer must make to assure that capture will yield the desired results. This session covers the many choices that must be made by a photographer shooting for pay. Topics include determining what equipment is required for color control, how to determine the right capture format, calibrating your cameras, using profiles, the role of image metadata, understanding metamerism, and the importance of viewing conditions.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 7:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S220
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: Christopher Gallagher
Speaker Company The Art Institute of Chicago
Speaker Bio Christopher Gallagher received his undergraduate degree from Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland and his Masters degree from Ohio State University. We worked in commercial collotype and dye transfer printing before coming to The Art Institute of Chicago in 1987. As Associate Director and Head of Imaging he has overseen the museum’s transition from analog based photography to digital imaging, beginning 1992 with scanning and cataloging the departments glass negative archive to the all digital studios and workflow of today.. He has been on the Society of Imaging and Science Archiving conference program committee since 2004 and presents frequently on integrating digital capture, color management and archiving workflows.
D31: The Challenge of Camera Raw
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract Digital photographers, photo retouchers and publishers have quickly made Camera Raw workflows the de-facto standard for most professional workflows. Camera Raw promises the highest in image quality, maximum flexibility and an improved sense of authenticity. However, without proper communication the flexibility of a Camera Raw workflow can prove to be limiting when raw files are delivered to others. The color, tone and contrast of a single raw photo may differ between raw processing applications, your color corrections may not travel with your raw file and critical metadata, including copyright, caption and contact information may become lost. How do you bridge the communication and technological gaps in a raw workflow to ensure that your clients receive files that look and print the way you intended them to look.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 9:00 AM - 10:10 AM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: Aaron Holm
Speaker Company Industrial Color
Speaker Bio : Aaron Holm’s experience spans over fifteen years of creative production and technology innovation for the entertainment, media, and technology industries. He began his career mixing audio and engineering audio systems for animated television productions at Nelvana Ltd. In the mid 1990s, Aaron worked with Getty, modeling digital video ingestion and distribution systems for stock footage. In 1998, Aaron joined Headline Media Group’s national broadcasting division to direct IT operations and develop interaction television properties with partners such as Major League Baseball and the National Football League. In 2004, Aaron founded Markham Street Media, a company focused on the development and deployment of advanced digital asset management systems. In less than two years, MSM developed a world-class client list including Victoria’s Secret, WABC Television, the US Navy, Harvard Law School, Crain Communications, Visa International, and Industrial Color.
In 2006, Aaron joined Industrial Color to manage business and software development for its GlobalEdit initiative. In less than two years, GLOBALedit has established the leadership position in digital workflow software, and led transformative initiatives with clients such as NBC Universal, Showtime Networks, Gap / Old Navy, Turner Broadcasting, and Victoria’s Secret. With a team of senior developers, an internally built and managed Tier-3 Data Center, and a culture of digital workflow pioneers, GLOBALedit is rapidly transforming the way people and organizations work with digital images.
D41: Real World Workflows for Print, Web and Mobile Output
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : Today, one workflow does not fit all! With the emerging requirement to deliver digital images for multiple output platforms, workflows should vary accordingly. Workflows for print differ significantly from the new workflows for delivering images to the web or mobile devices. Client expectations for deliverables will also vary depending on target platform and the photographer must understand the kinds of deliverables that the client will expect. In this session, we will take peek over the fence and learn what happens to your photos once you've delivered them. You'll not only gain a greater understanding of modern output processes, but understand how target delivery platforms affect digital imaging workflows, metadata, copyright information and color management.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 10:30 AM - 11:40 AM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: Don Hutcheson
Speaker Company Hutchcolor, LLC
Speaker Bio In 1995 Don Hutcheson became the world’s first ICC color management consultant. Today his company, HutchColor, LLC continues to train many of the world’s best photographers, printers, publishers, ad agencies and creative companies in the practical application of color management.
With over 40 years experience in photography and color reproduction, Don has pioneered or refined many of the techniques we now take for granted, like HiFi color, digital proofing, RGB workflows, video soft proofing and ICC color management.
As chairman of the IDEAlliance GRACoL committee and inventor of the G7™ method, is latest accomplishment is bringing high quality, standardized color printing and proofing within reach of everyone, regardless of experience or budget.
D51: Foolproof Proofing
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : Affordable inkjet printers and high resolution monitors make in-house proofing attractive to photographers, ad agencies and graphic design firms. But not all proofs are created equal. Having a SWOP Certified Proofing System is one way to assure quality. Color management and the effective use of ICC profiles are another critical ingredient. In this session, you'll gain specific advice on using monitor proofs and hard proofs to set customer expectations. Topics include using Photoshop for proofing, determining the color space and profiles to use, verifying your monitor profile and more.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 1:00 PM - 2:10 PM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: David Hunter
Speaker Company Pilot Marketing
Speaker Bio : David Hunter has been helping companies control and manage their color for 15 years primarily in the Graphic Arts and Photography market places. He has been teaching the 5 day Implementing Color Management Course at the PIA/GATF Graphic Arts Technical Foundation since its inception in 1996, and the Advanced Color Management Course since 1997. He moderated and planned the original GATF Color Management Conference in 1999 and has been instrumental in developing content and presenting every year since. David has researched all of the Color Management Profiling software programs as well as all of the measurement devices on the market. He has an extensive background in how all the major desktop and workflow applications work with ICC Profiles and has helped numerous companies implement color control products and procedures. He was one of the original GRACoL Experts and has been on the GRACoL committee since 2001. His lectures and seminars are very interactive, with a lot of actual, hands on usage of building and applying ICC Profiles. If you are attempting to transition to digital color, his seminars will help illuminate the process and help you understand the tools that are available to save you weeks and months of trial and error during your transition.
D61: Communicating Color Effectively
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : The goal of color management is to ensure that a photograph, layout or illustration stays true to the original artwork throughout the file preparation and reproduction processes. Often, people are the weak link in the chain. In this session, photographers will learn how to ask the right questions to prepare files correctly. Photo labs and service bureaus will gain insight on how they can communicate their technical specifications to clients effectively. Photographers, designers, ad agencies, will learn what role they play in the reproduction process and what responsibilities they have in asking the right questions, using color management correctly and ensuring that they delivering files in a way that facilitates the printing process. The UPDIG and DISC Specifications will be highlighted.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 2:30 PM - 3:40 PM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenters: Dennis Dunbar
Speaker Company Dunbar Digital
Education Tracks
As part of the PMA 08 International Convention and Trade Show
January 31 – February 2, 2008
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
All events take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, unless otherwise noted.
Color Management - Sponsored by IDEAlliance
This intensive track, sponsored by IDEAlliance, will give an advanced level of training throughout the color managed workflow. Photographers, imaging production, publishers and creative professionals will all benefit from this exciting new series of sessions.
D11 - Why Color Management?
D15 - Meeting Today’s Color Expectations
D21 - Capture: Setting Up the Studio to Maximize Color Control
D31 - The Challenge of Camera RAW
D41 - Real World Workflows for Print, Web and Mobile Output
D51 - Foolproof Proofing
D61 - Communicating Color Effectively
D11: Why Color Management?
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : The opening session answers the question "Why Color Management?" by placing color management in the big-picture both creatively and economically. Color management is the critical step photographers can take to ensuring their creative vision is more accurately represented in print, on the web or even when delivered to a cell phone. Publishers have now come to expect photographers to deliver files meeting technical specifications including the embedding of specific color profiles, image resolution, image size and file type. In this session, photographers will hear from a leading publisher about expectations and how they can better satisfy their client's needs and contribute to the overall success of a photo shoot.
Date/Time 1/29/2008 2:00 PM - 3:10 PM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: Tom Fox
Speaker Company Time Inc / American Express Publishing
D15: Meeting Today's Color Expectations
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : This panel made up of publishers, agencies and print buyers will shed light on the major roadblocks that cause delays and inefficiencies in today’s digital image workflows. How do buyers want files delivered? What file formats and color profiles are currently favored? How do deliverables change based on intended output format. What industry guidelines and specifications are available to assist photographers meet expectations.
Date/Time 1/29/2008 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Panelist: Aaron Holm
Speaker Company Industrial Color
Speaker Bio Aaron Holm’s experience spans over fifteen years of creative production and technology innovation for the entertainment, media, and technology industries. He began his career mixing audio and engineering audio systems for animated television productions at Nelvana Ltd. In the mid 1990s, Aaron worked with Getty, modeling digital video ingestion and distribution systems for stock footage. In 1998, Aaron joined Headline Media Group’s national broadcasting division to direct IT operations and develop interaction television properties with partners such as Major League Baseball and the National Football League. In 2004, Aaron founded Markham Street Media, a company focused on the development and deployment of advanced digital asset management systems. In less than two years, MSM developed a world-class client list including Victoria’s Secret, WABC Television, the US Navy, Harvard Law School, Crain Communications, Visa International, and Industrial Color.
In 2006, Aaron joined Industrial Color to manage business and software development for its GlobalEdit initiative. In less than two years, GLOBALedit has established the leadership position in digital workflow software, and led transformative initiatives with clients such as NBC Universal, Showtime Networks, Gap / Old Navy, Turner Broadcasting, and Victoria’s Secret. With a team of senior developers, an internally built and managed Tier-3 Data Center, and a culture of digital workflow pioneers, GLOBALedit is rapidly transforming the way people and organizations work with digital images.
Speaker/Moderator Moderator: David Hunter
Speaker Company Pilot Marketing
Speaker Bio David Hunter has been helping companies control and manage their color for 15 years primarily in the Graphic Arts and Photography market places. He has been teaching the 5 day Implementing Color Management Course at the PIA/GATF Graphic Arts Technical Foundation since its inception in 1996, and the Advanced Color Management Course since 1997. He moderated and planned the original GATF Color Management Conference in 1999 and has been instrumental in developing content and presenting every year since. David has researched all of the Color Management Profiling software programs as well as all of the measurement devices on the market. He has an extensive background in how all the major desktop and workflow applications work with ICC Profiles and has helped numerous companies implement color control products and procedures. He was one of the original GRACoL Experts and has been on the GRACoL committee since 2001. His lectures and seminars are very interactive, with a lot of actual, hands on usage of building and applying ICC Profiles. If you are attempting to transition to digital color, his seminars will help illuminate the process and help you understand the tools that are available to save you weeks and months of trial and error during your transition.
Speaker/Moderator Panelist: Penny Ann Dolin
Speaker Company ASU Polytechnic
Speaker Bio : Penny Ann Dolin has been involved in the graphic communications field for over 27 years. As founder and operator of Silver Sight Studio, a successful commercial photography studio based in Stamford, Connecticut, she photographed for Fortune 500 companies and traveled extensively. After receiving her Masters in Technology from Arizona State University (Phi Kappa Phi) she joined American Color, the third largest prepress company in the United States at the time ,as a member of the Corporate Research and Development team. Prior to joining the faculty at Arizona State University in 1998, she held the position of Western Region Technical Manager for American Color, with responsibilities for four facilities. She maintains her ties with industry through consulting and professional organizations. She is the lead author on Printing Technology, 5E. Exploring Digital Workflow, published by Thomson/Delmar, was published in 2006. In addition to teaching digital publishing and business classes, she currently runs the ASU Polytechnic Photo Studio, a contextual learning studio that shoots commercially for internal customers.
Speaker/Moderator Panelist: Tom Fox
Speaker Company Time Inc / AMEX Publishing
Speaker/Moderator Panelist: Stephen Hart
Speaker Company Hearst Publishing
D21: Capture, Setting Up the Studio to Maximize Color Control
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management GS
Abstract : All digital photography begins with image capture. There are many choices the photographer must make to assure that capture will yield the desired results. This session covers the many choices that must be made by a photographer shooting for pay. Topics include determining what equipment is required for color control, how to determine the right capture format, calibrating your cameras, using profiles, the role of image metadata, understanding metamerism, and the importance of viewing conditions.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 7:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S220
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: Christopher Gallagher
Speaker Company The Art Institute of Chicago
Speaker Bio Christopher Gallagher received his undergraduate degree from Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland and his Masters degree from Ohio State University. We worked in commercial collotype and dye transfer printing before coming to The Art Institute of Chicago in 1987. As Associate Director and Head of Imaging he has overseen the museum’s transition from analog based photography to digital imaging, beginning 1992 with scanning and cataloging the departments glass negative archive to the all digital studios and workflow of today.. He has been on the Society of Imaging and Science Archiving conference program committee since 2004 and presents frequently on integrating digital capture, color management and archiving workflows.
D31: The Challenge of Camera Raw
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract Digital photographers, photo retouchers and publishers have quickly made Camera Raw workflows the de-facto standard for most professional workflows. Camera Raw promises the highest in image quality, maximum flexibility and an improved sense of authenticity. However, without proper communication the flexibility of a Camera Raw workflow can prove to be limiting when raw files are delivered to others. The color, tone and contrast of a single raw photo may differ between raw processing applications, your color corrections may not travel with your raw file and critical metadata, including copyright, caption and contact information may become lost. How do you bridge the communication and technological gaps in a raw workflow to ensure that your clients receive files that look and print the way you intended them to look.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 9:00 AM - 10:10 AM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: Aaron Holm
Speaker Company Industrial Color
Speaker Bio : Aaron Holm’s experience spans over fifteen years of creative production and technology innovation for the entertainment, media, and technology industries. He began his career mixing audio and engineering audio systems for animated television productions at Nelvana Ltd. In the mid 1990s, Aaron worked with Getty, modeling digital video ingestion and distribution systems for stock footage. In 1998, Aaron joined Headline Media Group’s national broadcasting division to direct IT operations and develop interaction television properties with partners such as Major League Baseball and the National Football League. In 2004, Aaron founded Markham Street Media, a company focused on the development and deployment of advanced digital asset management systems. In less than two years, MSM developed a world-class client list including Victoria’s Secret, WABC Television, the US Navy, Harvard Law School, Crain Communications, Visa International, and Industrial Color.
In 2006, Aaron joined Industrial Color to manage business and software development for its GlobalEdit initiative. In less than two years, GLOBALedit has established the leadership position in digital workflow software, and led transformative initiatives with clients such as NBC Universal, Showtime Networks, Gap / Old Navy, Turner Broadcasting, and Victoria’s Secret. With a team of senior developers, an internally built and managed Tier-3 Data Center, and a culture of digital workflow pioneers, GLOBALedit is rapidly transforming the way people and organizations work with digital images.
D41: Real World Workflows for Print, Web and Mobile Output
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : Today, one workflow does not fit all! With the emerging requirement to deliver digital images for multiple output platforms, workflows should vary accordingly. Workflows for print differ significantly from the new workflows for delivering images to the web or mobile devices. Client expectations for deliverables will also vary depending on target platform and the photographer must understand the kinds of deliverables that the client will expect. In this session, we will take peek over the fence and learn what happens to your photos once you've delivered them. You'll not only gain a greater understanding of modern output processes, but understand how target delivery platforms affect digital imaging workflows, metadata, copyright information and color management.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 10:30 AM - 11:40 AM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: Don Hutcheson
Speaker Company Hutchcolor, LLC
Speaker Bio In 1995 Don Hutcheson became the world’s first ICC color management consultant. Today his company, HutchColor, LLC continues to train many of the world’s best photographers, printers, publishers, ad agencies and creative companies in the practical application of color management.
With over 40 years experience in photography and color reproduction, Don has pioneered or refined many of the techniques we now take for granted, like HiFi color, digital proofing, RGB workflows, video soft proofing and ICC color management.
As chairman of the IDEAlliance GRACoL committee and inventor of the G7™ method, is latest accomplishment is bringing high quality, standardized color printing and proofing within reach of everyone, regardless of experience or budget.
D51: Foolproof Proofing
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : Affordable inkjet printers and high resolution monitors make in-house proofing attractive to photographers, ad agencies and graphic design firms. But not all proofs are created equal. Having a SWOP Certified Proofing System is one way to assure quality. Color management and the effective use of ICC profiles are another critical ingredient. In this session, you'll gain specific advice on using monitor proofs and hard proofs to set customer expectations. Topics include using Photoshop for proofing, determining the color space and profiles to use, verifying your monitor profile and more.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 1:00 PM - 2:10 PM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenter: David Hunter
Speaker Company Pilot Marketing
Speaker Bio : David Hunter has been helping companies control and manage their color for 15 years primarily in the Graphic Arts and Photography market places. He has been teaching the 5 day Implementing Color Management Course at the PIA/GATF Graphic Arts Technical Foundation since its inception in 1996, and the Advanced Color Management Course since 1997. He moderated and planned the original GATF Color Management Conference in 1999 and has been instrumental in developing content and presenting every year since. David has researched all of the Color Management Profiling software programs as well as all of the measurement devices on the market. He has an extensive background in how all the major desktop and workflow applications work with ICC Profiles and has helped numerous companies implement color control products and procedures. He was one of the original GRACoL Experts and has been on the GRACoL committee since 2001. His lectures and seminars are very interactive, with a lot of actual, hands on usage of building and applying ICC Profiles. If you are attempting to transition to digital color, his seminars will help illuminate the process and help you understand the tools that are available to save you weeks and months of trial and error during your transition.
D61: Communicating Color Effectively
Conference DIMA
Track Color Management
Abstract : The goal of color management is to ensure that a photograph, layout or illustration stays true to the original artwork throughout the file preparation and reproduction processes. Often, people are the weak link in the chain. In this session, photographers will learn how to ask the right questions to prepare files correctly. Photo labs and service bureaus will gain insight on how they can communicate their technical specifications to clients effectively. Photographers, designers, ad agencies, will learn what role they play in the reproduction process and what responsibilities they have in asking the right questions, using color management correctly and ensuring that they delivering files in a way that facilitates the printing process. The UPDIG and DISC Specifications will be highlighted.
Date/Time 1/30/2008 2:30 PM - 3:40 PM
Location Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Room Level 2, Room #S224
Speakers
Speaker/Moderator Presenters: Dennis Dunbar
Speaker Company Dunbar Digital
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
X-rite Color Services
The New X-rite sounds exciting does it not. At first I was shocked to hear the news, but really now - I welcome the change. X-rite believes in it's consultants - and I am lucky and grateful to have such a good relationship with them.
This winter we launch Color Control Freak 2008 and Picture Perfect Color 2008. The program is going to be fun and informative like years past. The content will be updated so keep in touch for more details as they will be posted here.
This winter we launch Color Control Freak 2008 and Picture Perfect Color 2008. The program is going to be fun and informative like years past. The content will be updated so keep in touch for more details as they will be posted here.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Browser Color Management
In response to a post by Jason Santa Maria http://www.jasonsantamaria.com/archive/2007/12/12/gamma_gamma_hey.php
Wow - so many different opinions on this topic. Reading some of the above responses I realize more and more just how important this topic is to the design community. Our agency is completely color managed and I teach this stuff for a living for X-rite, the Owner of Pantone and the i1 Spectrophotometer and Colorimeter. Here is my take on all of it. Before we begin - color is and will always be subjected to the individual observer and your viewing conditions - geeky I know, but it had to be said.
1. All devices produce color diferently (we color geek types call it ‘device dependent color’), even the same device from the same manufacturer next to each other will look slightly different. This is hell.
All applications treat color differently - Mac OS X apps built using Aqua, i.e Mail, Preview, Safari, and iPhoto all use the default display profile and recognize embedded profiles. Windows applications like Picture Viewer and Outlook don’t use a color management engine. Adobe Applications all have a common color architecture and if you synch working spaces will all look the same - but only in the application. IE 7 has an color management setting however the user has to enable it, and the current release of Firefox does not include a color engine. So no matter what, if you plan to implement a color managed workflow your images will look right in Safari but wrong in everything else. (I am not sure about Opera). Finally, if your display is not calibrated and profiled you will have even more trouble - so no matter what it’s best to at least have a calibrated and profiled display. The questions then becomes one of application implementation.
2. Color measuring your display is crucial if you want consistent appearance. If you do not, you’re experimenting with color rather than managing it. All of our displays (5 Mac - 2 Win) are all calibrated with a sprectrophotometer to the same settings - D65 (6500 Degrees Kelvin), Gamma 2.2, and 130 cd/m2 Luminance. When we share files they all appear similar (taken into consideration individual viewing conditions) - regardless of platform. We run Mac OS 10.4 (Design) and Windows XP (Web Production). We all share the same color settings file (.CSF) in our Adobe Apps. sRGB is the Working Space for Web work and Adobe RGB for Print. When a designer prepares an image for the web we like most “save for web” via image ready and embed the icc profile when we really need to match colors and don’t embed when it’s not as crucial. We then brief the client on real world expectations based on Browser implementations and uncalibrated displays.
3. When we embed sRGB it is only is useful for Safari (by default) since Safari has color management enabled by default. It does not help us with Firefox, unless you’re running Firefox 3 Alpha 7 and you run gfx.color_management.enabled to true (via about:config) * How lame is this? Very Lame Indeed!
Conclusions and thoughts:
The idea of ICC (International Color Consortium - www.color.org) is still somewhat young in it’s discipline. It was written to be open in terms of implementation, meaning the OS, Applications, and Devices use profiles differently or not at all. This makes it a nightmare for everyone. Apple at least has taken a huge step forward with Colorsync and Aqua and Windows Vista has a new color management system called WCS (Windows Color System) but is has been slow to implement fully. This is the current state of affairs with this stuff. If you want any control you have to give up some and live within the limitations of this imperfect discipline. I would rather we all follow an imperfect standard rather than try to invent a new one. It really comes down to setting expectations within your devices and with the client.
Final thoughts:
We have color issues - but they are minor - most of the time we are spot on. We are Pro-ICC and I recommend all designers and photographers follow. If you decide to go this route you should do the following:
1. Calibrate your display to a standard, i.e D65, G 2.2, Luminance 120 cd/m2 - recalibrate at least once a quarter.
2. Use sRGB as a working space (for the web) and make sure all your applications do this same (although this can be challenge for some applications).
3. When you save your images embed sRGB - in the short term they wont look right in IE 7 and Firefox but there will come a time soon when all of the major browsers will have color management turned on as the default, like Safari.
Reading Real World Color Management by Peachpit Press is great but I fear too much for most designer. Take a seminar. Xrite and I will be launching a seminar series in March and we will discuss many of these issues. Check out www.xrite.com or contact me directly at www.encompus.com
Wow - so many different opinions on this topic. Reading some of the above responses I realize more and more just how important this topic is to the design community. Our agency is completely color managed and I teach this stuff for a living for X-rite, the Owner of Pantone and the i1 Spectrophotometer and Colorimeter. Here is my take on all of it. Before we begin - color is and will always be subjected to the individual observer and your viewing conditions - geeky I know, but it had to be said.
1. All devices produce color diferently (we color geek types call it ‘device dependent color’), even the same device from the same manufacturer next to each other will look slightly different. This is hell.
All applications treat color differently - Mac OS X apps built using Aqua, i.e Mail, Preview, Safari, and iPhoto all use the default display profile and recognize embedded profiles. Windows applications like Picture Viewer and Outlook don’t use a color management engine. Adobe Applications all have a common color architecture and if you synch working spaces will all look the same - but only in the application. IE 7 has an color management setting however the user has to enable it, and the current release of Firefox does not include a color engine. So no matter what, if you plan to implement a color managed workflow your images will look right in Safari but wrong in everything else. (I am not sure about Opera). Finally, if your display is not calibrated and profiled you will have even more trouble - so no matter what it’s best to at least have a calibrated and profiled display. The questions then becomes one of application implementation.
2. Color measuring your display is crucial if you want consistent appearance. If you do not, you’re experimenting with color rather than managing it. All of our displays (5 Mac - 2 Win) are all calibrated with a sprectrophotometer to the same settings - D65 (6500 Degrees Kelvin), Gamma 2.2, and 130 cd/m2 Luminance. When we share files they all appear similar (taken into consideration individual viewing conditions) - regardless of platform. We run Mac OS 10.4 (Design) and Windows XP (Web Production). We all share the same color settings file (.CSF) in our Adobe Apps. sRGB is the Working Space for Web work and Adobe RGB for Print. When a designer prepares an image for the web we like most “save for web” via image ready and embed the icc profile when we really need to match colors and don’t embed when it’s not as crucial. We then brief the client on real world expectations based on Browser implementations and uncalibrated displays.
3. When we embed sRGB it is only is useful for Safari (by default) since Safari has color management enabled by default. It does not help us with Firefox, unless you’re running Firefox 3 Alpha 7 and you run gfx.color_management.enabled to true (via about:config) * How lame is this? Very Lame Indeed!
Conclusions and thoughts:
The idea of ICC (International Color Consortium - www.color.org) is still somewhat young in it’s discipline. It was written to be open in terms of implementation, meaning the OS, Applications, and Devices use profiles differently or not at all. This makes it a nightmare for everyone. Apple at least has taken a huge step forward with Colorsync and Aqua and Windows Vista has a new color management system called WCS (Windows Color System) but is has been slow to implement fully. This is the current state of affairs with this stuff. If you want any control you have to give up some and live within the limitations of this imperfect discipline. I would rather we all follow an imperfect standard rather than try to invent a new one. It really comes down to setting expectations within your devices and with the client.
Final thoughts:
We have color issues - but they are minor - most of the time we are spot on. We are Pro-ICC and I recommend all designers and photographers follow. If you decide to go this route you should do the following:
1. Calibrate your display to a standard, i.e D65, G 2.2, Luminance 120 cd/m2 - recalibrate at least once a quarter.
2. Use sRGB as a working space (for the web) and make sure all your applications do this same (although this can be challenge for some applications).
3. When you save your images embed sRGB - in the short term they wont look right in IE 7 and Firefox but there will come a time soon when all of the major browsers will have color management turned on as the default, like Safari.
Reading Real World Color Management by Peachpit Press is great but I fear too much for most designer. Take a seminar. Xrite and I will be launching a seminar series in March and we will discuss many of these issues. Check out www.xrite.com or contact me directly at www.encompus.com
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