How to Create a Custom Camera Profile in Capture One

Steps to Achieve Perfect Colours

Introduction

Creating a custom camera profile in Capture One allows photographers to correct colours and tailor the rendering of raw files to their preference. This guide outlines the steps to create, save, and set a custom ICC profile as the default for your camera.

Understanding ICC Profiles

One of the fundamental controls over how raw files are rendered in Capture One is the Base Characteristics’ ICC Profile. These profiles are developed in-house at Capture One, balancing quantitative accuracy and visual appeal.

Using the Colour Editor

The Colour Editor is a powerful tool in Capture One, enabling extensive colour adjustments. You can learn more about its capabilities by referring to "The Colour Editor overview."

Steps to Create a Custom ICC Profile

1. **Adjust Colours:** Use the Colour Editor to fine-tune colours to your exact preference.

2. **Save as ICC Profile:** Once satisfied with the adjustments, save the settings as an ICC Profile via the dropdown at the top right of the Colour Editor tool.

Applying the Custom Profile

1. **Select New Profile:** Go back to the Base Characteristics tool and select your new profile from the ICC Profile dropdown.

2. **Reset Colour Editor Adjustments:** If the colours appear strange, reset the Colour Editor adjustments to avoid doubling the change.

Setting the Profile as Default

To set your custom ICC profile as the new default for your camera:

1. **Save as Defaults:** Click the dropdown at the top right of the Base Characteristics tool and choose "Save as Defaults for…"

2. **Automatic Application:** Any new images imported or captured via tethered connection will now inherit this new profile as the default.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can achieve more accurate and pleasing colours in Capture One, ensuring that your images reflect your vision precisely.

Calibrating Your Eizo CG2700X with Capture One

A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Calibrating your monitor is essential for achieving the most accurate colors and ensuring consistency in your workflow. The Eizo CG2700X, known for its exceptional color accuracy and wide color gamut, is a popular choice among photographers and digital artists. This guide will walk you through the calibration process using the Eizo ColorNavigator software, and how to integrate it with Capture One for a seamless color management experience. We will also explore using a ColorChecker Passport (CCP) for custom camera ICC profiles and setting up a dual-monitor configuration with a Mac Studio Display.

Calibrating the Eizo CG2700X

Using Eizo ColorNavigator Software

The Eizo CG2700X comes with a built-in calibration sensor that works in conjunction with Eizo's ColorNavigator software. Here are the steps to calibrate your monitor:

·      Install the Eizo ColorNavigator software from the Eizo website.

·      Open the software and select your Eizo CG2700X from the list of connected monitors.

·      Follow the on-screen instructions to perform the calibration. The built-in sensor will measure the display's color output and create an ICC profile.

·      Save the generated ICC profile and assign it at the macOS system level by navigating to System Preferences > Displays > Color and selecting the new profile.

By calibrating your monitor with ColorNavigator, you ensure that your display shows the most accurate colors possible, which is crucial for color-critical tasks like photo editing and graphic design.

Capture One and Monitor Calibration

Capture One, a powerful photo editing software, does not have a built-in monitor calibration tool. However, it will automatically use the ICC profile assigned at the system level. This means that once you have calibrated your Eizo CG2700X and assigned the ICC profile in macOS, Capture One will use this profile for accurate color rendition.

Using the ColorChecker Passport (CCP) with Capture One

To achieve the most precise color accuracy, especially when using a Phase One XF Trichromatic camera, you can create a custom camera ICC profile using a ColorChecker Passport (CCP). This process involves capturing an image of the ColorChecker and generating a profile using specialized software. Here’s how:

Capture a RAW Image of the ColorChecker

·      Place the ColorChecker in evenly lit conditions to avoid any color casts or shadows.

·      Photograph it using your Phase One XF Trichromatic camera, ensuring that the ColorChecker is correctly exposed and in focus.

·      Import the RAW image into Capture One.

Create a Custom ICC Profile

·      Open the image in Capture One and apply Baseline Correction to ensure a neutral starting point.

·      Export the image as a TIFF file in 16-bit with AdobeRGB or ProPhoto RGB color space.

·      Use X-Rite software (if using X-Rite's ColorChecker) to generate a custom ICC profile. Follow the software's instructions for creating the profile.

·      Import this ICC profile into Capture One by navigating to Base Characteristics > ICC Profile and selecting the new profile.

This custom ICC profile will enhance the color accuracy of your camera, ensuring that the colors you see on your calibrated Eizo monitor are as true to life as possible.

Dual-Monitor Setup: Mac Studio Display + Eizo CG2700X

If you are using a dual-monitor setup with a Mac Studio Display and an Eizo CG2700X, you can optimize your workflow for the best color accuracy and productivity. Here are some tips:

·      Set the Eizo CG2700X as the primary monitor for color grading. You can do this in macOS by navigating to System Preferences > Displays and arranging the displays accordingly.

·      Use the Eizo screen for image previewing in Capture One to ensure the most accurate color rendition.

·      The Mac Studio Display can be used for UI panels, tools, and non-critical color work, freeing up the Eizo monitor for tasks that require precise color accuracy.

Conclusion

Calibrating your Eizo CG2700X with the Eizo ColorNavigator software and integrating it with Capture One ensures that you achieve the most accurate colors in your workflow. By creating custom camera ICC profiles using a ColorChecker Passport and optimizing your dual-monitor setup, you can enhance your productivity and achieve professional-grade results. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to set up your monitors and calibration profiles effectively, and enjoy the benefits of a color-accurate workflow.

Final Notes & Summary
 

Monitor Calibration: Completed using ColorNavigator with an ICC profile assigned at the operating system level.

Capture One Settings: Utilizes the operating system-level ICC profile. The Proof Profile can be configured under View > Proof Profile.

ColorChecker Passport: Employed for creating a custom camera ICC profile, not for monitor calibration.

Dual Monitor Workflow: Your setup is correct; however, ensure that Capture One's image preview is displayed on the Eizo monitor.