Building Printer/Output Profiles - Color Management for Photographers - page 241

Fig. 6-38 Opening a CxF
file measured from my
light box in Eye-One Share
allows an inspection of the
spectral distribution. The
right circle shows the
spikes seen in this figure,
which is typical of the
spectral response of a
fluorescent tube. The circle
to the left is daylight.
nating large areas. If your goal is to view a 44-inch ink-jet print, you can
build a very affordable viewing area using simple tools and off-the-shelf
products (see the sidebar, “Building Your Own Joseph Holmes SoLux Light
System”). If the budget permits, have both a standard fluorescent daylight
light box for compatibility with outside service providers and a SoLux
setup for large prints or viewing daylight simulations. Both types of
systems may need tuning to produce the right intensity to match a display.
Fluorescent light boxes can be purchased with dimmers that lower the
intensity while maintaining the original color temperature (CCT).
Sidebar
Building Your Own Joseph Holmes SoLux Light System: Color geek expert and fine art
photographer Joseph Holmes (http://www.josephholmes.com) has a recipe for producing an
awesome lighting system using SoLux builds and off-the-shelf components. His recipe follows.
When Joseph mentions Color Rendering Index (CRI), it is a measure of the quality of color light,
devised by the (CIE). Keep in mind that a CRI of 100 is considered perfect. SoLux bulbs have
virtually perfect CRIs of over 98 and 99. You can read more from Joseph in Chapter 10. In
Joseph's own words, here's his recipe:
My favorite viewing light solution costs only about one seventh as much as desktop
light box with dimmers, takes up no desk space, doesn't flicker, and has colorimetri-
cally better quality light, as well as good color temperature, but it is not very useful
for viewing transparencies. The print viewing light consists of the following items:
1. One SoLux 4700K, 50 watt, 12 volt, 37 degree beam angle, halogen spot (MR16
type). Go to SoLuxtli.com for more information. Retail price $15. This is the best
quality artificial light that I know of in the world and has a CRI of 99 + in the
main part of the beam. Or call Tailored Lighting in Rochester, NY, which created
this wonderful lamp, at [phone].
2. One length of Halo brand track (basic, single circuit type). Mine is parallel to the
wall behind my monitor and positioned 21 or 22 ≤ off the wall (my 19 ≤ monitor
is twisted at a 20 degree angle and almost touches the wall). My track is hard-