BobD, how can you adjust the viewing conditions of your prints at your site to mimic the conditions under which the prints will be viewed? Unless you're hanging them in your own house/office or know precisely what the conditions are, it's not possible. We have no idea under what conditions someone who buys a print will be displaying it. At least not in the majority of cases. The best we can do then is get the best possible result in 'ideal' conditions and not worry about it after that. No?
Bob F:
I think I said “
I try to match the brightness of the light in which the prints are to be hung. If I don’t know the brightness of the “hanging light” then I try to attain a brightness of 250–300 lux (using the ColorMunki).
Granted it is not always possible to know the final hanging light brightness but when I am printing for a controlled hanging area like a corporate space, I will take my Munki to get an indication of the brightness.
I also said “
…most people try make monitor adjustments and print evaluation in the same room under the same light brightness.”
I think a general statement can be made that it is better to evaluate prints with a light duller than the hanging light. If your print evaluation light is too bright then your prints will lose shadow detail when viewed in a duller light.
Also, let’s not lose sight of the prize here – a good photograph is more important than exactly matching evaluation and hanging light. Remember doubling the viewing light from 250 to 500 lux is only one stop and it can only help to show more shadow detail in the print.