RAW Profiles for Nikon D3s

These are the instructions we use for creating camera profiles. They are
for the purpose of instructing people how to shoot an IT8 target in
order to send the raw photo to us for profile creation, but they can also
be used on your own, with other software.

First, please note that we cannot use shots of Monaco IT8 targets as
Monaco doesn't supply data for their targets in the standard IT8 format (their
data files are proprietary and encrypted). Your IT8 must be a standard IT8
such as one from Profile Prism (matte targets from Profile Prism *cannot*
be used: only Profile Prism IT8/glossy targets), one purchased from Wolf
Faust at targets.coloraid.de, a Kodak Q60, or any other IT8 for which you
can supply the target reference data (text) file.

(1) Please be sure your camera has been updated with the latest firmware.
Check the manufacturer site and the firmware version in your camera to be
sure.

(2) Set your camera to take photos in raw format and set ISO to the lowest
ISO speed possible. Also it is best to shoot in aperture priority and select a
wide aperture like f/3.5 to f/5.6 so we get a relatively fast shutter speed.

(3) Now, to set up the target, we want to have the IT8 target in direct
sunlight. The easiest way to do this is to go to a room where sun is shining
through a clear glass window (with no screen) or an open window or door.
The goal here is to have a patch of sunshine on the floor and no other light
entering the room. It is also important to use direct sunlight, so please pick
a sunny day or a day where you can get direct sunlight between times of
sun/clouds. If a cloud comes by when you shoot or you shoot in hazy
sunshine, the profile will suffer. Next, take your IT8 and place it on top (and
in the middle) of several sheets of 8.5 x 11 white paper stacked one on top
of the other: preferably regular white copy/print paper. Place the IT8/paper
in the middle of the sunny patch on the floor and stand directly over it and
shoot down at the target on the paper. When framing it, zoom or move to
the point where the 8.5 x 11 sheets of white paper cover most of the frame
through the viewfinder. That'll make the IT8 target cover maybe 3/4 of the
frame. You need only take one shot: one with the camera set to automatic
white balance as WB doesn't really matter since we can correct that here
before making the profile. Aperture priority with auto exposure is normally
fine.

Note: While the floor method is often best, it may not always be possible.
The technique here is to be in a room or otherwise darkened place where a
patch of sunlight hits the target and you (and your camera) can "hide" in the
shadows to take the shot. This completely eliminates glare and unwanted
reflections on the target because the target is so much brighter than the
surroundings.

If you shoot the target outside on a walkway, you'll be standing in sunlight
and since you are shooting the target straight-on, your reflection will be in
the target, making the shot unusable! The other important thing is to have
white paper behind the target. We stack several sheets of white paper just
to be sure none of the color underneath the paper (carpet, wood floor, etc.)
gets through. If you're not taking the picture with the target/paper on the
floor, you can tape/clip the paper and target to a piece of cardboard and
take the shot with the target up against a wall, etc..

That's it! Just send us the raw file to this address and we should be able to
get a profile back to you within a day or so and have it for sale on our web
site for others soon after.

Thank you again for your help, and of course if you have any further
questions about the process, don't hesitate to ask.

Mike