Eye-saving low blue-light monitor mode impact on photography (August, 2023)

Photographers and their professional customers usually use calibrated monitors with a minimal gamut of 100% sRGB. True-color monitors are becoming more affordable and are finding their way into offices and homes, allowing a wide audience to share the same color palette with photographers. Unfortunately, using a bright monitor is not very comfortable and may cause eye strain and harm, as well as issues with sleep. Monitor manufacturers and operating systems offer an eye-saving low blue-light mode, and many users, including myself, make use of it. Removing the harmful blue light gives the screen a slightly orange tint.

Now, there is a question: How many of our esteemed customers, microstock, and Gushots public use the low blue-light mode? If it is more than 50%, we may need to consider stopping the use of calibrated monitors and switch to low-blue light when editing. Alternatively, we may need to create dual beautiful photos that work well in both true color and the low blue-light mode.

How to create a photo that plays well on a monitor with incorrect colors? Well, it is very simple – drawing inspiration from the film era, use fewer colors and apply split tones. So much for progress.