What Monitor Does Scott Kelby Recommend? Let’s Find Out
Honestly, I’ve spent more time researching monitors than I care to admit. Years, probably. All for that perfect screen, the one that doesn’t make you squint or curse the glare.
Got burned. Oh boy, did I get burned.
So, when people start asking ‘what monitor does Scott Kelby recommend’, I get it. They’re looking for that shortcut, that trusted voice cutting through the noise. I’ve been there, staring at spec sheets that read like ancient hieroglyphics, wondering if I’m buying a display or a spaceship.
Let’s just say my journey involved more than a few expensive paperweights before I figured out what actually matters.
Scott Kelby’s Monitor Philosophy: What He Actually Says
Scott Kelby, bless his photogenic heart, isn’t exactly shouting from the rooftops about one specific monitor model like it’s the holy grail of pixel pushing. And frankly, that’s good. Because the ‘perfect’ monitor is as subjective as your favorite flavor of ice cream, and Scott knows that. He talks a lot about workflow, about what helps him get the job done efficiently, and that’s where you find his recommendations, buried in the context of his overall setup and advice.
He often emphasizes color accuracy and consistency, which, if you’re doing any kind of photo editing or graphic design, is non-negotiable. I remember buying a monitor years ago that was touted as ‘vibrant.’ Vibrant, it was. Accurate? Not even close. My reds looked like they’d been through a rave, and my blues were… well, they were a different shade of sad entirely. After my third attempt to calibrate it, I finally admitted defeat and bought something that promised less ‘wow’ and more accuracy. It cost me $350 that I’d rather have spent on pizza.
Beyond the Brand Name: What to Look For
Forget the hype about the latest refresh rates unless you’re exclusively a pro gamer who cares about ghosting more than accurate skin tones. For most of us, the real magic happens in the panel type and color coverage. Kelby, like any sane professional, would steer you towards IPS panels for their superior viewing angles and color reproduction. TN panels are faster, sure, but they look like a cheap carnival prize if you move your head an inch.
Think of it like this: you wouldn’t ask a Michelin-star chef to cook your steak with a butter knife, would you? Similarly, don’t expect pro-level results from a monitor that cuts corners on color. The numbers you should actually care about are sRGB and Adobe RGB coverage. Scott often mentions aiming for 99-100% sRGB, and if you’re deep in the Adobe ecosystem, then hitting a high percentage of Adobe RGB becomes important too. It’s the difference between looking at your image and truly *seeing* it. (See Also: Does Samsung Monitor Syncmaster 2333sw Support Hdmi )
This monitor I’m currently using? It covers 99.8% of sRGB. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t have RGB lighting that pulses to music. But when I edit a photo, the colors I see on screen are the colors I get when it’s printed. That peace of mind? Priceless. Or, you know, around $400.
He also talks about screen real estate. More is generally better. A 27-inch or 32-inch monitor, especially a 4K one, gives you room to spread out your tool palettes, your layers, your reference images, without everything feeling cramped. It’s like going from a cramped studio apartment to a spacious loft – you can actually move around.
What Monitor Size Is Best for Photo Editing?
For most photo editors, a 27-inch or 32-inch monitor strikes a great balance between screen real estate and desk space. Bigger isn’t always better if it means your head has to swivel like an owl.
What Resolution Should I Get?
Aim for 4K (3840 x 2160) if your budget allows, especially on larger monitors. It provides significantly more detail than 1080p or 1440p, which is crucial for inspecting fine details in your images.
How Important Are Color Gamuts?
Extremely. For photo editing and anything visual, you want a monitor that covers at least 99% of the sRGB color space. If you work with professional printing, look for high Adobe RGB coverage too.
What About Refresh Rate?
Unless you’re a serious gamer, a standard 60Hz or 75Hz refresh rate is perfectly adequate. Higher refresh rates are mainly for smoother motion in fast-paced games, not for static image editing.
Is Hdr Necessary for Photo Editing?
While HDR can enhance certain visuals, it’s not a primary requirement for most photo editing workflows. Standard SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) is still the norm for most output and editing purposes. (See Also: Does Samsung Gear S3 Classic Monitor Sleep )
Should I Get a Curved Monitor?
Curved monitors are generally a personal preference. For photo editing, a flat IPS panel is typically recommended for consistent viewing angles across the entire screen.
The Kelby Weisheit: What He *doesn’t* Recommend
This is where my own battle scars come in handy. Scott, in his wisdom, often implicitly steers clear of certain traps. He doesn’t go for the cheapest option just because it’s cheap. He doesn’t get swayed by marketing fluff about ‘millions of colors’ if those colors aren’t accurately represented. Everyone says the cheapest 4K monitor is ‘good enough.’ I disagree, and here is why: you’ll spend hours correcting what the monitor got wrong in the first place, wasting time and potentially ruining images with wildly inaccurate color casts. It’s like trying to build a house on sand.
He’s also not one for overly complicated settings or menus. A monitor should work for you, not the other way around. If you’re spending ten minutes fiddling with sliders to get something that looks remotely right, that’s not a tool; that’s a hobby in itself. I once had a monitor where the ‘auto-adjust’ feature would randomly decide to crank up the brightness to blinding levels mid-session. It felt like a disco ball had taken up residence on my desk.
And don’t even get me started on built-in speakers. They’re a joke. A marketing ploy. If sound quality matters to you, buy actual speakers. The ones built into most monitors sound like they’re coming from inside a tin can being shaken by a squirrel.
My Take: Bridging Kelby’s Advice and Your Wallet
So, to directly answer what monitor does Scott Kelby recommend? He recommends a monitor that helps you do your best work, which usually means one with excellent color accuracy (99%+ sRGB), a good resolution for your needs (27-32 inches, 4K is a sweet spot), and an IPS panel. He’d probably tell you to look at brands like Dell (their UltraSharp line is often cited), BenQ, or sometimes HP, especially in their professional or creator-focused ranges. But he’d also tell you to do your research based on your *specific* workflow.
For example, if you’re purely editing jpegs from your phone for social media, a super-high-end Adobe RGB monitor might be overkill. But if you’re printing large format or doing serious color-graded video, you absolutely need that wider gamut. It’s not just about the brand; it’s about the panel’s performance.
I’ve found that monitors in the $300-$600 range often hit that sweet spot for serious hobbyists and semi-pros. You get significantly better color coverage and build quality than the budget options, without venturing into the $1000+ territory that’s usually reserved for the most demanding professionals or niche applications. A reputable reviewer like rtings.com can give you objective data on color accuracy and panel uniformity, which is just as important as any expert’s opinion. (See Also: Does Samsung 4k 28 Inch Monitor Have Speakers )
What Monitor Does Scott Kelby Recommend for Beginners?
For beginners, Scott would likely advise a good quality 27-inch IPS monitor with at least 99% sRGB coverage. Brands like Dell UltraSharp or BenQ are often solid choices that offer good value for their accuracy.
Does Scott Kelby Recommend Specific Monitor Models?
He doesn’t typically name one single model as *the* definitive recommendation. Instead, he focuses on the *qualities* to look for: color accuracy, IPS panel, appropriate resolution for the size, and good viewing angles. He might mention series like Dell UltraSharp or BenQ SW series as examples of what fits those criteria.
Where Can I Find Scott Kelby’s Monitor Advice?
His advice is often found within his photography and Photoshop courses, books, and on his blog or YouTube channel. Look for discussions about his workflow, setup, or gear recommendations for photographers and designers.
Is a 4K Monitor Really Necessary for Photo Editing?
While not strictly ‘necessary’ for everyone, a 4K monitor on a 27-inch or larger screen offers substantially more detail and screen real estate, making it easier to see fine details and manage your workspace. It’s highly recommended for serious photo editing if your budget allows.
What’s the Difference Between Srgb and Adobe Rgb?
sRGB is the standard color space for the web and most consumer electronics. Adobe RGB has a wider gamut, meaning it can display more colors, particularly greens and cyans, making it better for professional print work where those colors are important.
Should I Calibrate My Monitor?
Absolutely. Even the best monitors will drift over time or out of the box. Regular calibration with a hardware calibrator (like a Spyder or X-Rite device) is crucial for maintaining color accuracy, especially for professional work.
Conclusion
So, when you’re sifting through the endless options and wondering what monitor does Scott Kelby recommend, remember it’s less about a brand name and more about performance. He’s advocating for tools that get the job done right, which means color accuracy, good panel tech, and enough screen real estate to breathe.
Don’t chase the buzzwords. Focus on the specs that actually matter for your work. Spend a little extra time researching and you’ll save yourself the headache, and the hundreds of dollars, I wasted.
My honest advice? Pick a reputable brand known for professional displays, check reviews for color accuracy data (99%+ sRGB is your baseline), and make sure the resolution and size fit your desk and your eyes. Your future self, editing photos without squinting or cursing, will thank you.
Recommended For You
