When did you first understand the importance of color to your workflow?
I started my career in the commercial printing industry so I would say that colour has played a role in my life from my first day at work. I have always used some form of colour management but I would say that I really got serious and passionate about it when I had to try figure out what was wrong with the reds on my HPz3100.
How is color management related to your artistic process?
I have a lot of clients who spend a considerable amount of money on their products, printing and CI. They expect this level of colour accuracy to be carried through into their photography.
Give an example of the ways in which color management has made a difference in your work. What value did it bring?
An easy example was that I was the only photographer who could get a particular client’s paintings photographed so they looked the same as they did in real life. To me it was just another job but I was astounded at how many photographers don’t even employ basic colour management.
How important are the latest color management tools in today’s industry? Why?
I think they are critical. We have a lot of people entering the industry who don’t have the historical experience and who don’t understand the basics. This means that we need colour management tools that can do the work for someone who has little or no knowledge.
What is the most important aspect of color management that an aspiring photographer should know?
If you don’t know what your image looks like and how to fix it when you are wrong, you are essentially playing Russian roulette.
Why are you committed to using X-Rite solutions?
I have always been exposed to the X-Rite systems because of my printing background. I like the fact that the solutions are part of a greater system and philosophy, not just a collection of stand-alone products and I like the fact that X-Rite has taken its high end technology and made it accessible to the man on street.