How to correctly calibrate your iMac or MBP

Last year I wrote a short and simple tutorial on how to correctly calibrate your iMac or MBP for photo editing. This is also valid for video editing in case you don't have already a dedicated external REC.709 display. The iMac can't compete with a USD 2000,- NEC or Eizo display but once its correctly calibrated it's amazingly good for most tasks!

I wrote this tutorial because I saw many colleagues that don't calibrate at all or do it totally wrong. Maybe this information is useful for anyone here too.

http://www.schweinert.com/blog/files/bc34bebc3fdd23b0543895bf6f622293-44.html

For PC (in my case) with dual monitor system I use the Spyder4 system (by Datacolor). It really is an awesome little tool. Of course it also helps depending on what you are shooting with to get correct white balance or shooting as "flat" as possible. Of course if shooting RAW one can get away with murder and fix quite a bit in post.

In my tutorial I can't recommend the Spyder 3 or 4 at all (avoid it at any cost!) because it just doesn't work great with Apple's LED displays. Can't say anything about PC but on a MAC you have to use a X-Rite i1 Display Pro.