Setting up Colour Management, need help please

[MidKnight]

Here's the run down, i use a 10D and C1 PRO to process my RAW images, and i want to get the best colour management setup that i can. Also soon i will get myself a i9950 Printer.

So far in C1 the output working space has been set to sRGB and the colouring in my photos look just right on my screen, (i also add 7% colour sat to them in processing).

But then ive read that i should really be using Adobe RGB, so ok i try that and i find the colouring is no where as good, but i can almost fix this by applying 15 to 20% colour saturation to the image, then the processed .TIFF image is almost as good as the sRGB but still not quiet.

I also ETC Hi-Sat ICC profiles in C1 for processing too

Im only new to this part so any help would be a great help.


Thanks

[Jesper]

First of all, I don't know if you've done it already or not, you must calibrate and profile your monitor. Don't use Adobe Gamma or any other software-only solution. Get a device such as the Spyder (http://www.colorvision.com/) or EyeOne (http://www.gretagmacbeth.com/index/products/products_color-mgmt-spec/products_cm-for-creatives.htm). Your monitor must be calibrated and profiled properly so that you can be sure it displays colors as they should be. Here are some more links about monitor calibration and profiling:

Monitor Calibration and Profiling (http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/monitor_calibration.htm)
Guidelines for accurate monitor display and answers to common questions (http://www.ltlimagery.com/monitordisplay.htm)

Next, setup color management in C1 correctly. Probably you already did that too. Choose Workflow / Show Color Management Settings (that's in C1 LE, but I guess it's the same in C1 Pro). Select the monitor profile you made with your calibration and profiling software in the bottom of the dialog box. Set Adobe RGB as the Output destination. Set sRGB as the Web destination. Note that in de the Develop tab of C1 you can choose between Convert to destination and Convert to Web destination. If you set it up like I have, this will enable you to choose between Adobe RGB and sRGB.

Next, setup color management in Photoshop (or whatever other software you use for editing your images). Set Adobe RGB as the working space in Photoshop.

More info on color management:

Introduction to color management for Photographers (http://www.ltlimagery.com/colormanagement.html)
CMS for Beginners (http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/33_cmsjoe.htm)
Color management and color science: Introduction (http://www.normankoren.com/color_management.html)

For images on the web, you'll want to use sRGB, because that color space is designed to match the "average" monitor. That means if you convert your images to sRGB, you'll have the best chance that the images look as they should for most people's monitors.

The disadvantage of sRGB is that it's a small gamut color space, which means you can't have some specific, very saturated colors if your image is in sRGB. For images other than the web (for example for printing on your own printer), it's better to use a wider color space such as Adobe RGB. (Note that many online printing services expect your images to be in sRGB so you should not send them Adobe RGB images, because they will come out wrong).

For printing yourself, you have to setup the ICC profiles for your printer correctly. If you're using PS, you should turn off color management and automatic color corrections in the printer driver's setup dialog, and let PS handle the printer color management. Choose the correct profile for your printer, ink and paper combination in PS's Print with Preview dialog. One more link:

Photoshop 7 & CS Managing Colour When Printing (http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps7_print/ps7_print_mac.htm)

[MidKnight]

thanks alot for your time.

besides the monitor profiling part (i've only used the adobe gamma) all else is pretty much the way ive setup. but for some reason im not 100% sure if im happy with the results compare to when i had C1 set to process as sRGB.

But one part i find is true and im a little confused, is where the sRGB i show as much contrast in an image, but for me, i have to set the contrast to max (20%) in C1 to get a simliar match to when it was at 7% using sRGB

[Jesper]

In C1, above the preview window, there is a toolbar with a number of buttons: the color picker, magnifying glass, crop tool etc. One of the buttons is to switch color management on or off. Make sure it is on.

Normally, if you're viewing your image in a color management aware application, you shouldn't see much difference on screen between images in sRGB and Adobe RGB. However, if you're viewing the images in a non-color management aware application (for example, the Windows XP picture viewer or Internet Explorer), the images will look very different. The colors and contrast in the Adobe RGB image will look flat compared to the sRGB image.

That happens because non-color managed applications don't know how do display Adobe RGB images correctly. You don't see those problems with sRGB, because the sRGB color space is probably close to the native color space of the monitor.

I also used Adobe Gamma before I bought a Spyder, and I absolutely don't regret buying the Spyder. It works MUCH better than Adobe Gamma. Using a software-only solution and your own eyes to "measure" the way your monitor displays colors is absolutely not accurate enough. So I'd highly recommend a device such as a Spyder if you want to calibrate and profile your monitor accurately. (If you get one, remember to disable Adobe Gamma - you have to delete it from the Start / Programs / Startup menu - otherwise it will interfere with the Spyder or EyeOne software).