The right colour

I think the colours on my computer might not be true, and this is affecting the prints I make. What do I need to do? Horace Ferris

The really simple answer to this, Horace, is that you need to have your computer screen calibrated to make sure that the colours you are seeing when editing your work are

accurate. I should also add that it’s worth checking that the nozzles in your printer aren’t clogged and therefore not producing the colours they should; but when this happens, there tends to be quite an obvious colour cast, so if yours is more of a subtle difference, I think it’ll be lack of calibration that is the answer.

I am amazed at how few keen photographers regularly calibrate their computer screen. I’d say you should do it at least every couple of months. Of course the next question is, how? I’d advise taking a look at the options commercially available, such as the Spyder5 from Datacolor. There are three options in the Spyder5 family: the Spyder5Express, Spyder5Pro and Spyder5Elite.

The Express version is the least costly of the three at around £100, and it will do a quick and simple job of calibrating your screen in just a few minutes. If you are a regular printer, you should consider going for either the Pro or Elite versions, but naturally these will add more to your bill for their more advanced options and ability to read ambient light settings too. In my opinion, regularly checking your screen with any version is a good idea – but if you can afford the extra, go for the Pro or Elite versions.

Whichever device you choose, the task is easy to do. The Spyder5 software leads you through the process, so if you thought calibrating your screen was complicated, it’s not. You don’t need to be a computer geek to get it sorted, so there are no excuses. Good luck, Horace: I’m sure that whichever option you choose, it will make a difference to your prints.