Macbeth
ColorChecker.
Whether
digital photography
or film-based
photography, you
still need the
traditional gray
card and color
charts. Even though
Kodak has a color
card, Macbeth
has been able
to provide professional
photography with
an international
standard reference
card, both for
colors and for
gray scale.
Macbeth
has gone
through
several
corporate
changes;
I know
them best
as a (former)
division
of the
Kollmorgen
Instruments
Corporation.
Macbeth
is now
allied
with a
prominent
Swiss
company,
Gretag.
The new
combined
company
is GretagMacbeth
(no space
between
the words).
Image
at the
right
is a 6th
century
Tiquisate
bowl from
Guatemala
(in the
Museo
Popol
Vuh).
This is
a raw
picture
in order
to reveal
how often
color
correct
is required.
Weak electricity
in many
countries
causes
color
temperature
shifts
in the
tungsten
lights
(as does
age).
Result
is bad
color.
The
MacBeth
card allows
figuring
out how
to restore
the color
to the
proper
original
hues and
balance. |
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Absolutely
ideal
for field
photography
is Macbeth's
mini-color
reference
card (at
the left).
Being
stiff
it is
much stronger
than the
color
card of
Kodak
(at the
right).
And, being
about
2x3 inches
in size,
the mini-Macbeth
fits easily
into your
pocket.
The Kodak
color
card is
long,
thin,
and crumples
easily.
Despite
corporate
name-change
for the
parent
company,
Macbeth
itself
is evidently
still
located
at 405
Little
Britain
Road,
New Windsor,
NY 12553-6148,
tel 1
800 622
2384),
1 800
COLOUR
(Canada).
Fax in
USA is
(845)
565-0390.
web site
is gretagmacbeth.com
Image
at the
left is
a quickie
snapshot,
raw (uncorrected).
In the
hands
of a capable
graphics
artist
or digital
photographer
the presence
of these
cards
will allow
color
correcting
to the
original
8th century
color
of this
ancient
Maya vase. |
Munsell Color
is a division
of Macbeth. Munsell
Color is the
international
scientific reference
for the colors
of artifacts.
All the Maya pottery
of Tikal was recorded
with Munsell color
references.
comprehensive
directory of outside
links for
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imaging, dye sub,
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giclee Fine Art
Printers, RIPs
extensive
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imaging, camera
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tips, reviews,
recommendations
Most recently updated July 3, 2003.
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