Datacolor User to User Support Group.

>>Since the "shadow detail" adjustment has be maxed out, the only thing I can think of to open the shadows more is to work out some kind of curve to do this in Photoshop, and then add the curve to profile-making process.

Yes, that will certainly work, though it begs the question: why do you need so much shadow adjustment in your prints? Is your display too bright? Do you just prefer detail to punch in the shadows? Personally, about five points of shadow opening is all I need on a matte Moab paper.

>>How should I go about constructing the curve?  I think there *should* be a way of using the colorimeter to measure the output I am getting for some kind of standard image, and then at least estimating the necessary curve corrections.   Are there instructions somewhere online that would help?

The colorimeter has already produced it's best guess at a smooth density curve from paper white to ink black. What you want seems to be significantly different. So you will need to create that response curve yourself. Open Photoshop's curve creation tool, and in the global curve add a few points to keep the highlights and mid tones nailed down. Then use a point to create an upside down dipper (long straight handle, curve of the dipper going up, not down, to open the shadows). You may need to add one or two more points to adjust the shape of the dipper. Save this curve, then apply it to your image, and print. If it's not what you wanted, open the saved curve, adjust, and try again. When you get just what you want, import the curve into Print SR, and incorporate it into a copy of your profile.    

C. David Tobie
Global Product Technology Manager
Digital Imaging and Home Theater
Datacolor inc. 
cdtobie@datacolor.com
www.datacolor.com

On Nov 7, 2010, at 7:59 AM, "gochatunbdotca" <goch@unb.ca> wrote:

> Since the "shadow detail" adjustment has be maxed out, the only thing I can think of to open the shadows more is to work out some kind of curve to do this in Photoshop, and then add the curve to profile-making process.
> 
> How should I go about constructing the curve?  I think there *should* be a way of using the colorimeter to measure the output I am getting for some kind of standard image, and then at least estimating the necessary curve corrections.   Are there instructions somewhere online that would help?