Federico Chiesa
When did you first understand the importance of color to the photographic process?
As soon as i started working after my degree i realized that color management is one of the most critical part of the workflow. Being a photographer and a retoucher its mandatory to stop guessing you are doing it right. You need to be sure that what you see on your devices is what your clients will see.
What is the most important aspect of color management that an aspiring photographer should know?
I think that a photographer should know at least the basics of it. Even photographer that only use simpler retouching software as lightroom need to have the proper monitor settings. Also is important to know how profiles work to make sure that your output images will be seen rin the right way.
Give an example of the ways in which a solid knowledge of color management (or an accurate color environment) helped you – on a project? In a consultancy situation?
When Im printing a project with a calibrated system and client approve them for a final proofing(usually done by an external service) I’m sure that there will not be any color shift. I see many people that send images to proof withwonrg profiles or bad calibration and that starts a long process of guessing who is wrong, with clients that become usually mad.
Why are you committed to using X-Rite products?
X-rite is the standard in color management. There’s just one software for retouching, photoshop, and there’s just one company for calibrating my devices, period.
How important are the latest color management tools in today’s industry? Why?
I think they should be mandatory. Everyone should learn how to use calibration tool and make the world an easier place!
What does the (near) future hold for the photo industry, in your opinion? Do you think color management will be more or less important – why?
I think that in the future we will be more used to calibrate even our small devices, like iphone and ipads.
Hopefully calibrating a monitor will be the first step we’ll do on our monitors.
How is color management related to your artistic process?
I spend a lot of time retouching so i need to know that what I’m doing is right. even the tiniest change on an image will impact on my final product. So i think that calibrating is a strong part of my workflow.
Its a scientific process that allow me to be comfortable with my artistic ideas.
Do you see color management as an advantage for saving money?
Of course.Nobody wants to print 10 expensive proofs because you have a wrong profile right?