Which Color Space do you use

[silvex]

There is pretty much two choices for color space for canon bodies. Which do you use and which format RAW ? JPEG? RAW+JPEG I think I had originally Adobe, but somehow I switched to sRGB.

[NZDoug]

sRGB for commercial, if not otherwise specified.

[Damo77]

sRGB for everything. I used to use Adobe RGB, because I'd read it was the "professional" thing to do, but it's simply not necessary in my circumstances (mainly publishing, and canvas printing).

[jnev]

I shoot and edit in adobe rgb and then convert to srgb for uploading to the web.

[Tee Why]

I use sRGB b/c most monitors are set up for it as well as online sites. This way I don't have to go back and forth when processing b/c I post online, may print at home and at a lab (which I hear mostly use sRGB), and since my monitor's default setting is for sRGB IIRC.

[tim]

Anyone asking this question should use sRgb for *everything*, to avoid messing things up.

[gcogger]

I use AdobeRGB because I can see no reason not to! If I want to post an image on the web, I'll have to resize it anyway so I convert to sRGB at the same time.

[tzalman]

I use Chrome 2000 D 65 RGB which is larger then AbobeRGB but only slightly larger than my print profile in most dimensions. I use two RAW converters, DPP and Raw Therapee, and edit and print in Picture Window Pro. If I convert in DPP, I output in WideGamut RGB and convert to Chrome 2000 in PWP. From RT I can output directly in Chrome 2000.

[Pete]

sRGB. I've never needed to do anything to a high enough standard to warrant using Adobe (or any other) colour space.

[rfreschner]

You're only limited to the 2 you show if you're shooting in JPEG. For RAW, your color space isn't determined until conversion. I use ProPhoto RGB until I convert for Web use when I switch it to sRGB.

[hannaxt]

I use Adobe RGB (that's not sRGB)
or ProPhoto RGB

ProPhoto RGB when I know I will be printing to the new Epson printers using the new inks and papers I shoot RAW and embed ProphotoRGB.

When shooting images that I know will go to press I edit Adobe RGB and convert to CMYK.

sRGB is not a workflow for me unless I will use images on the web and I simply "convert" via the Image menu.

[Keith R]

I shoot RAW, and - because I hardly ever print - use sRGB.

[René Damkot]

Depends on usage: AdobeRGB, ProPhotoRGB, WideGamut RGB, sRGB

[zagiace]

Like many,
I shoot in AdobeRGB then I back up the originals and convert to sRGB for Web and Printing. That way when my printer catches up to AdobeRGB I won't have to worry.

[ChasP505]

sRGB. I like not having to convert and my tired old eyes really can't see the difference anyway!

[mij]

You're only limited to the 2 you show if you're shooting in JPEG. For RAW, your color space isn't determined until conversion. I use ProPhoto RGB until I convert for Web use when I switch it to sRGB.

I was going to say exactly the same as Rick. Only it would have been in a sexy British accent.

Michael.

[cvt01]

I have a question:

I use sRGB only because the viewers I have (Irfanview and ACDSee) will display washed out colors if the image is in AdobeRGB colorspace. As I understand it is because those softwares have no colormanagement. Bridge and Lightroom are not really in the same league with those two above when it comes to quick full screen image viewing.
Is there a silmpy to use software with colormanagement?

[eesparx]

Ditto to what rfreschner said.

[Az2Africa]

Adobe RGB

[zagiace]

Hey cvt0,
Many programs will convert to sRGB for you if you want ot capture in AdobeRGB. DPP that comes with many Canon DSLR's will do a fine job. As will photoshop if you have it.

[tmcman]

I shoot in Raw then have ACR
output to CS2 in ProPhotoRGB.

[Riff Raff]

sRGB in camera. Converted to Adobe RGB for the occasional print.

[Damo77]

Shawn, I can't think of any good reason to convert from a smaller colour space to a larger one ...

[Alistair Watson]

My camera bodies are set to Adobe RGB. Photoshop colour space is Adobe RGB. Monitor is calibrated. Print in Adobe RGB and convert to sRGB for web uploads.

[tzalman]

Shawn, I can't think of any good reason to convert from a smaller colour space to a larger one ...
While the conversion itself would not give you anything, it could make room to selectively increase the saturation of some colors in subsequent editing. I think you would have to be very careful of banding, however.

[chase2378]

COuld someone explain to me the differences between the 2?? I was shootin in sRGB until one of my assistants suggested that I shoot in Adobe. I'm not sure what's the diff??? Thanks!

[Damo77]

Adobe is a bigger space (can contain more colours). However, it requires a little more knowledge of colour management to use correctly.

If you have to ask the question, you're best off sticking to sRGB.

[Damo77]

While the conversion itself would not give you anything, it could make room to selectively increase the saturation of some colors in subsequent editing. I think you would have to be very careful of banding, however.

Agreed.

I just hope Shawn's not converting to Adobe RGB for printing just because "someone said that's how to do it" ...

[Riff Raff]

As far as I recall, the Canon ICM profiles for the Pro9000 printer are based on Adobe RGB color space. I could certainly be wrong though, I've had the printer for all of a week now. But I'm happy with the output thus far. Also, all of my more recent photos are in RAW anyway so they're exported directly to Adobe RGB. It's mostly the older JPEGs that were shot with sRGB.

[Damo77]

Fair enough, but it's not necessary to convert to Adobe RGB just because the printer profile is based on it. A conversion happens during the print process anyway, there's no point in doing unnecessary extra conversions.

[freddyco]

I print, therefor I shoot in Adobe RGB.

I discovered two weeks ago that defaulting PS workspace color to Pro Photo RGB gives me more natural looking sRGB for web JPEG's. I can only assume that the pro photo RGB gamut is much much wider than the Adobe RGB gamut. The differences after destructive edits of photos are pretty significant compared to just using Adobe RGB.

[gcogger]

As far as I recall, the Canon ICM profiles for the Pro9000 printer are based on Adobe RGB color space. I could certainly be wrong though, I've had the printer for all of a week now. But I'm happy with the output thus far. Also, all of my more recent photos are in RAW anyway so they're exported directly to Adobe RGB. It's mostly the older JPEGs that were shot with sRGB.

The printer profile should be just that - a printer profile. It is completely independent of the working space (AdobeRGB).

[Red Dot]

I always use Adobe RGB because I print photos

[chase2378]

Damo, I recently read a link that explained the diff between sRGB & Adobe. So, I guess since I shoot mostly RAW and the use of my images by clients ranges from making prints, to being printed in brochures, Adobe may be the way to go to utilize a larger group of available colors. But if I shoot large fine jpgs in Adobe also, can I convert in CS to be able to use on the web?

[JAcosta]

Anyone asking this question should use sRgb for *everything*, to avoid messing things up.


Haha thank you for this post. I literally laughed out loud.

[Damo77]

Damo, I recently read a link that explained the diff between sRGB & Adobe. So, I guess since I shoot mostly RAW and the use of my images by clients ranges from making prints, to being printed in brochures, Adobe may be the way to go to utilize a larger group of available colors.

If I'm providing images to clients for their use, I almost always give them sRGB files - because I don't know if they have colour management knowledge.

If they try to get prints at a local lab, or print in a brochure or whatever, but they or their printers don't understand colour management, it's reasonable to assume that sRGB images will still turn out ok. But if I give them Adobe RGB images, there's a chance that they'll print terribly, and that might make me look bad.

Of course, if they contact me to complain, I could explain the difference, but the damage would already be done, and they might not use my services again. I'd rather play it safe.

Of course, if the images are ones that need the extra gamut of Adobe RGB (eg floral photos), then of course I'd do so.

Edit: I forgot to mention: I'm not suggesting you shouldn't shoot in Adobe RGB. If you want to, that's fine. I'm just recommending you convert to sRGB before handing off the files to the client.

But if I shoot large fine jpgs in Adobe also, can I convert in CS to be able to use on the web?

Yes, of course - in fact, it's built in to the "Save for Web" dialog.

[FlyingPhotog]

aRGB for shooting and processing
sRGB for the web

[René Damkot]

Yes, of course - in fact, it's built in to the "Save for Web" dialog.

Only in CS3 it is ;)