x-rite color checker passport

[Steveathome]

I confess to not yet having the passport hardware, but I do have the original Xrite credit card sized colour checker, of which looks identical to me.

I ran old old file through the new software and came up with this. I have totally relied on the profile for colour balance, as I'm assuming that as it has a grey scale that this would be taken into consideration when performing the profile? I am more than happy to be corrected on this.

Before on the left and xrite on the right. Maybe the xrite is more pleasing, but the original is more accurate, I really need to evaluate more after taking a break, but post the comparison for your convenience.

I have ordered the passport and look forward to performing perhaps a more valid test in the near future.




Edit: After further reading elsewhere that the profiled image still needs WB, I have made further separate WB corrections to the right hand side image and replaced.

[frank]

The colorpassport is a bit oversaturated in some cases.
But I find the colors to be more accurate on most shots.

[MarcoD]

Isn't it the best way to first set your custom whitebalance on the grey card part, and then shoot the session and the colorchecker with that custom white balance? Maybe that helps to get the ultimate result.

[Steveathome]

New test, both images from the same file.

Top one direct from CS3 acr white balanced only
Bottom one using xrite profile in CS3 and white balanced

note: I use the "WhiBal" for white balance, I find that if you compare the grey-scale on the xrite, each square is inconsistent - according to the color sampler tool in CS3, of which baffles me a little.

The profiled version is definitely richer in colour and better resembles the colour card I hold in my hand.

I'm sure the more photographically educated here can add more or advise accordingly.

Hope this is of use.

[Eero Makela]

http://www.xrite.com/support_doc.aspx?Line=32&SupportID=5010

This is what confused me in the above procedure

"You do not need to perform a white balance;"

However I think they mean that to create the DNG profile you don't need to do a WB , however to get the photo accurate you need to do a WB as well

NOTE: based on my understanding you do not need to use the Passport as the Classic target can also be used. The only thing you do not get with the Classic  is the extra squares for making custom adjustments.

[frank]

I always also perform a white balance setting after I load the profile.
But still the dE on the colorcheckers is off, but it's a lot more in balance than using the PS profiles.
When you want a very low dE you will need some serious work and in the end result the difference will be at best noticeable.

[Anders_HK]

Hi Frank,

Indeed interesting read, and the colors look much more intense and much pleasing so.

1) Do you know if it works with Capture One 5.1 ? I use Aptus 65.

2) For landscape photography, the point is not necessarily to get natural intense colors, but to get appealing intense colors. To me colors of Velvia 50 remain true magic, thus... instead of achieving natural, do you have any idea or consideration for using the color checker to create profiles from a slide/film shot of the color checker?

Much kind thanks!

Regards
Anders

[frank]

Hi,
No ICC support yet so no for C1 I'm afraid.
Would love that.

You can ofcourse scan the colorchecker and make your scanner profile from that.
Or just like digital put it in the frame when shooting and profile your film.

[Eero Makela]

The following shot was with BX400 strobe set at power 5.0 and 60" softlighter about 5-6 feet from model. Hair light was set to 2.0 with 20 degree grid.

1. No color checker just custom WB on 18% gray card                                                                          2. Color Checker profile added

[telles75]

Hey Frank... I bought my Color Checker in January and I started using it right away. As you pointed out I also find the colors are more saturated after applying the custom profile. I do find the skin tones are more accurate and overall the yellows are stronger. I am curious to see how the profile will help me out with the sky colour once I start doing location shoots this summer.

Here are some comparison pics I did between using the Camera profiles (Standard,Portrait,Neutral), Adobe Standard, Color Checker and a final pic after doing some colour tweaking in Lightroom.

[Eero Makela]

Hey Frank... I bought my Color Checker in January and I started using it right away. As you pointed out I also find the colors are more saturated after applying the custom profile. I do find the skin tones are more accurate and overall the yellows are stronger. I am curious to see how the profile will help me out with the sky colour once I start doing location shoots this summer.

Here are some comparison pics I did between using the Camera profiles (Standard,Portrait,Neutral), Adobe Standard, Color Checker and a final pic after doing some colour tweaking in Lightroom.

I really like the way you made the combined images with all 6 into one image.

I notice that the last one in each (the LR Tweak) shows the model a lot more pale the other ones

The camera profiles are close, however since the Color Checker also takes into account the lens used for the shot and the actual light , it should always be the most accurate.

I find that most of the  CC profiles I created so far are all the very close to the same even though they were created with different light source.

[frank]

I use the colorchecker mainly to get a good balance in the shots I like.
I think that when you would measure the colors with a spectrum meter there still will be a considerable dE error but on the other hand I have to honestly say that even with the Leaf Aptus backs the colors are much more "pleasing" and natural looking than without (using a whitebalancing card).

[Wills]

Frank where in your workflow are you using the colorchecker is it acr/lightroom since you are Aperture and C1.

[frank]

At the end, when I go to photoshop.

[telles75]

I notice that the last one in each (the LR Tweak) shows the model a lot more pale the other ones

I guess personal preference, I find the colours too saturated right out of camera and after the ColorChecker profile has been applied. I also find myself changing the Oranges tint to a more yellow look for some model skins. I've been doing this by pure experimentation, and that is the reason why I am looking forward to Frank workshop in New York, cause I want to do it the right way