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The recommended responses to respective ambient light levels 1 through 5 are as
follows:
1: Very Low
: appropriate for prepress image editing. Calibrate the display to a White
Luminance level of 85-100 cd/m^2* and a White Point of 5000K (warm white) to
compensate for the eye’s cooler response at low light levels. LCD monitors (including
laptops) can be used in this situation as well as CRT displays.
2: Moderately Low
: dim, but appropriate for photo image editing. Calibrate the
display to a White Luminance level of 125-150 cd/m^2 and a White Point of 5800K
(slightly warm white) to compensate for the eye’s slightly cooler response at
moderately low light levels. LCD displays (including laptops) can be used in this
situation as well as very bright CRT displays.
3: Medium
: appropriate for casual photo editing. Calibrate the display to a White
Luminance level of 175-200 cd/m^2 and a White Point of 6500K (medium white) to
compensate for the eye’s moderate color response at medium light levels. Only LCD
displays (including brighter laptops) can be used at this level. An example of medium
ambient lighting would be a photographer’s customer consultation area, typically not
kept as dim as the actual color correction studio.
4: High
: uncontrolled, not recommended for color critical work. Lower the ambient
light if possible, otherwise use a monitor hood and calibrate the display to the
maximum White Luminance it can produce and a White Point of 6500K or higher. An
example of High ambient lighting would be a typical office environment with overhead
fluorescent strip lights.
5: Very High
: uncontrolled, not recommended for any color managed work. Requires
a very bright display. If you must work in these conditions use a monitor hood, black
umbrella or photographer’s cloak and calibrate the display to the maximum White
Luminance it can produce and a White Point of 6500K or higher. An example of Very
High ambient lighting would be previewing digital photos outdoors on a laptop display.
CRT monitors should be used only at levels 1 and 2 since most CRTs cannot achieve a
White Luminance over 125 cd/m^2. LCD monitors with limited White Luminance