monitor caliration strip

[Tom Callahan]

can someone explain the purpose of the monitor calibration strip at the bottom of the screens?
Thanks

[Fabs Forns]

Tom, it is so you can judge it you can see the whole tonal range in your monitor to be able to judge if blacks and whites are rendered properly in an image.

[Blake Shadle]

Exactly. You should be able to see a different shade in each block from black to white. If not, it's time to calibrate the ole' monitor!

[Tom Callahan]

Thanks folks. nice idea.

[Jim Poor]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the calibration tested here only applies to brightness, not color, yes?

[Blake Shadle]

You are correct. When you're looking at an image and you're trying to gauge whether the whites are too bright, or the blacks lack detail, it's important to have a properly calibrated monitor.