Which image looks better on your monitor?

Both were edited from the same starting image using the same software and following the same sequence of procedures. However, the image on the left was created on a system with a rather dim monitor, as compared with the machine used to produce the image on the right. To get an acceptable image in the weaker system it was necessary to decrease image contrast by 10% and increase image brightness by 15% overagainst the settings for the other image.

If you are using a bright screen monitor (most are), then the image on the right gives the better view. To appreciate the difference you may wish to reduce your monitor's contrast and brightness settings until the image on the left is roughly equivalent to what you are seeing on the right now. However, I have not found that the limits of monitor adjustment are sufficient to accomodate the range of difference between the two system extremes. Nor does there appear to be one image brightness which will display equally well in all systems.

All the images in the discussion on scanning were prepared in a bright screen system, and have a tonal range similar to that of the image on the right. If you are using a dark screen system, you must keep this fact in mind. Although the image on the right, and the images in the scanning discussion, will look too dark to you, the images you prepare will appear washed out on a bright screen system. Increasing your monitor's brightness control to maximum and contrast control to minimum should help.