X-RITE COLORCHECKER

Formerly the Gretag ColorChecker, this chart has long been used by photographers who insist on accurate colors. A board composed of 24 different color swatches, the ColorChecker can be used to perform calibrations with scanners, or more often as an aid in retouching and color correction. Set up your lights and then capture an image with the ColorChecker; you’ll have a basis point for matching colors on subsequent shots. Simply correct colors to match the correct color values for the chart, and apply those corrections to any other image under the same lighting. It’s possibly one of the best investments in photography, at an amazingly low price. For the traveling photographer, a mini version fits into the smallest camera bag but provides the same accuracy.

Retail price: $60 (mini) or $75 (large)
Further information: www.xrite.com