Color Space in RAW

[ejwebb]

Last night I read an Elements 3.0 review and am a little disappointed that apparently the RAW conversion feature does not allow you to assign color space. If that is the case, I am wondering how that will affect file conversions with the program. While I do not shoot RAW now I intend to start learning it.

While no one probably knows the answer since the software is not out yet, any thoughts on how it is likely to deal with the color space in conversion? Does it automatically use sRGB or does it convert with an untagged or unassigned color space? If it assigns no color space, does that affect how Elements presents the file on the monitor? In my experience under Elements 2.0 the presentation a file with an "untagged RGB" color space is different than the same file with sRGB designation which is frustrating in printing.

Also, does the Canon File Viewer Utility allow you to select color space when converting? I am at work and can't check the software at the moment.

Just curious if I need to re-think my pre-order of the software if this will be a big issue. Thanks.

[maderito]

In RAW conversion, some color space has to be assigned - whether it is explicit or not. Given that Elements is bundled with so many different cameras, it is a pretty safe bet that the assigned or assumed color space will be sRGB.

Doesn't Elements only permit editing in sRGB space anyway? Not sure since I don't have it.

[ejwebb]

Thanks, Maderito. The new, soon to be released version recognizes color spaces (but won't change them) supports 16 bit for some functions and has a RAW converter. I am trying to decide if it will suit my needs or if I need to invest $250 more for CS. I know I should get CS but just purchased the camera, new printer and various other stuff recently and have a hard time justifying it for my "hobby".

Currenly, I am using 2.0 which does recognize color space. However, if I take a JPEG from camera and convert it to a 8 bit TIFF (using a separate program) but do not assign a color space it shows up in Elements with color space "untagged RGB". If I open the original JPEG from the camera in Elements it shows up with a color space of "sRGB". On the monitor in Elements the two images look different and the "sRGB" version more closely matches the print version.

My concern is that I purchase Elements 3.0 partly for its RAW converter but it leaves the color space undefined and I end up with files like the "untagged RGB" files described above which will not be as close matches to my printed product.

[Jesper]

Photoshop Elements has limited colour management - it recognises ICC profiles and knows how to use them, but unfortunately the Photoshop CS commands Assign Profile and Convert to Profile are missing.

So the program that you use to convert the JPEG to TIFF does not preserve the colour space information that was stored in the JPEG - that's why they show up as "untagged RGB" in PS Elements.

Search the Internet for software that can assign a profile or convert from one to another colour space (sorry, I don't have a suggestion myself right now). If you find something like that, you can use PS Elements 3.0 for your editing and do the colour space assignment / conversion with the other program, so you won't need to buy PS CS just for that feature.

[ejwebb]

These Company's know just how to get you with the features, don't they? Same goes for Canon!!