2019 iMac screen brightens for editing

[igilphoto]

Hi so I'm not sure if there any editors/photographers here but worth a try.
I'm a wedding photographer and couple of months ago I bought the new iMac , 27' after working with an old 2011 iMac until now .

The new iMac is a beast and I love it but I've encountered a problem I wasn't expecting - The screen is amazing, sharp colourful and much brighter and I'm still getting used to it .
I was used to put the brightness all the way up on the older model (and it was still dark) but now its feels too bright at dark room.
On the other hand, if I try to turn it down a bit it also affects the contrast/colour and doesn't represent the true final image.

Should I just get used to it?

I've had a lot of work so it kind of threw me off for a while because suddenly I wasn't sure about my edits, and if its to bright or dark.


Now I try to dim it at smaller steps ( if you press cmd+shift) for about 0.75 stops from full brightness and also sending a few images to print to check how it looks in the end and checking with other photographer friends before sending out to clients .

Is this happened to anybody or am I the only crazy one?

Is there a "correct" setting or tips that I should know?

I was also thinking about calibrating the screen but Ive never done this on my mac and always thought about iMacs as pretty accurate straight from the box so it feels unnecessary.

What do you think?

Thank you

 

[wardie]

I’m just amateur photographer enthusiast but I would recommend getting a calibration device. you will be surprised how much the screens can be off and they also change over time. Part of the calibration process allows you to set the brightness correctly based on your normal working ambient light conditions. I use a Datacolor Spyder 5 Pro which I got on some internet offer a while back. Other brands are available...

 

[AndreeOnline]

An iMac on full brightness sounds WAY-WAY-WAY to bright.

In a dark room I guess you should land below half full strength. But like you imply: your screen is emitting light. Turning it up will increase 'punch' and 'intensity' —and conversely—when you turn it down you will feel like you're "losing something". At least fir the first few minutes, since that is your relative impression.

If you're doing commercial work, I think a base calibration is important. There are cheap devices out there. Maybe you can even rent one for a weekend. If you are doing physical prints even more so. Consider that printing on a paper (that is reflecting light) is a totally different medium than a screen emitting light. Many pro photographer that mainly edit for print work on monitors the most casual users would find appalling: dim and lacking contrast and saturation.

Also, turning the brightness down a bit will be much easier on your eyes long term.

 

[igilphoto]

Hi guys,
thank you for your replies!

That's interesting, half of full strength?
I'm trying this right now but it feels very dim.Maybe I'm just not used to it...

But now that I'm thinking about it, I did had much more headaches and sore eyes after editing sessions lately and it also was harder for me to work and now its much more easier on the eyes.
Just figured that more is better/precise and was trying to stay in the upper power level .

I will check about the calibration devices, any special recommended for mac(except the spyder 5 pro) or doesn't matter?

What it actually does? Can I just borrow it and setup the screen or is it something you need to do regularly?


I admit I never bothered with it with my old mac and as I said the brightness there was on full power and the prints came out good so I felt there wasn't much to play around with.