Gamma Was 1.8, Should Be 2.2?

The gamma of 1.8 is a legacy of the publishing industry. Namely, the PC gamma default was set to be the average gamma of CRT-based monitors (2.5) so that you have a 1:1 relationship and don't need correction. Not that all monitors are the same, but it's pretty close. That eventually became 2.2 when the sRGB colorspace was introduced and PC graphics card and drivers startedd making corrections -- the impetus for that being 2.2 was the gamma found on common analog video recording equipment and if you wanted to display or work with video, that was going to get the truest result.

The Mac default setting of 1.8 matched the gamma of offset printers and was chosen specifically so that the color on the display was corrected to match that of the print medium. However, today many printers perform corrections for color spaces and publishers frequently use D65 G2.2 (which has gamma 2.2).

But here's the rub: the optimum gamma correction is actually dependent on the type of display (LCDs and CRTs are much different) and the display luminance, and also whether you are attempting to match a particular medium (printer, display, or video).

There's no "correct default" and the variations in color and brightness won't be fully corrected for by simply changing the gamma setting. For LCD-displays, a lower gamma value is probably more correct, particularly at full brightness.

"Still, is it best to leave my iMac's gamma set to 1.8, the same setting that it was shipped with?"

Pick one of the following:

1. If you're working with images for publication, it should match the output device as closely as possible.

2. If you just want it to look good for the best viewing experience, set it to where it looks best for you.

That's it.

If I told you a gamma of 2.2 was best but it looked too bright to you, would you leave it there anyway just because i said so?

I want my iMac's display to be in-line with all the other computers in the World.

I have some bad news for you. All the other computers in the world are not in line. The best setting for your computer is the setting that you like the best.

"basically, I want my iMac's display to be in-line with all the other computers in the World. The majority. I don't want to be seeing things looking brighter or more washed out than they're supposed to be."

That's my point... what you said is a contradiction. The majority of computer users, Mac or Windows, don't know what gamma is and they dont care. Why would you want to be like them?

If you don't want to be seeing things looking brighter or more washed out than they're supposed to be, you'll set your monitor/gamma where it looks best for you and you won't worry about all the other people that are seeing images that look brighter or more washed out than they're supposed to be.

You will NEVER have a perfect image, because every moment your monitor is on the picture quality changes. After a year it won't be anything like what it is today.