> Do I really need a new monitor?
Well so far I have bought a new puck, Spyder3, to cope with the wide gamut monitor, and ColorEyes software.
I'm getting ever more confused on this.
My plan was/is to use Andrews test image, compare the native image to the image with softproof enabled, then adjust the white point in Photoshop (rather than in the monitor profile), then later to transfer the adjustments as a baseline to my images.
Proof setup: RelCol, +BPC, +simulate black ink, +simulate paper color
Softproof disabled to begin with.
1-When I open Andrews test image by double-click, it opens in Preview. The White field in the step wedge reads 255-255-255 in the DigitalColorMeter.
2-When I open the image in Photoshop, the White reads 187-187-187 in the DCM, and the visual impression is accordingly. PS Info shows 255-255-255.
??
3-When I leave the image open, but click in the Finder window so PS is not active, the DCM, too, shows 255 for the White field. --?
Now with soft proof enabled, the white field reads 174-176-182; with the image still open in PS, but PS not active, the values are 237-240-249.--??
Before I had discovered the difference between these latter 2 readings, I had used the latter triplet as input in an adjustment layer curves, setting output to 255, and got a real nice match between the proofed image and the native image opened in PS.
Still, I feel I need to understand better what is going on before I proceed. In particular, the difference between Preview and Photoshop puzzles me.
I understand that softproofing the white of glossy/OBA papers like "my" Epson Premium Glossy is questionable, and am prepared to have to modify these adjustments later.
Hoping for your help.