Question about Color Space

I am pretty new to printing and White House Custom Colour (WHCC) has been recommended to me. In their fact section it says they support either Adobe RGB 1998 or sRGB.

My camera is set to Adobe RGB (I was told that is the color space I should choose). Right now, CS5 is set to sRGB, should I change it to Adobe RGB (1998)? Does it really matter?

All my images have been shot in Adobe RGB and my CS5 settings have been set to sRGB, will there be any conflict there?

I read the sticky which cleared up a lot of information. But lets say that I want to change all my images that were post processed in sRGB, how do I change them to Adobe RGB, and how do I make sure that all images from now on are Adobe RGB?

I'm just really confused

As long as Photoshop doesn't try and automatically convert your photos to sRGB, It's fine. I have my color settings set to use prophoto RGB, even though I don't use it all the time, so I have "ask for profile mismatches" and "missing profiles" turned on just in case.

The only times it might be a problem is when you create a new document as it will default to the set space and if you're changing between color modes, such as changing mode to CMYK or LAB, and when changing it back it will switch to sRGB unless you change modes using the "convert to profile" feature. Otherwise Photoshop will simply ask you if you want to convert the image's color space to the one PS is using when you open an image, to which you would say no.

WHCC will convert to sRGB before printing..so there really is no point in extra effort to try to send them aRGB files.

photoshop will use sRGB as its default space but if loading an image it will automatically use the color space of the image unless you force it to do otherwise. You can convert to other spaces...I believe its in the edit menu.

As for your camera...if you shoot RAW, it really doesn't matter too much as RAW has no color space. It does affect the in camera preview image and histogram though. If you shoot JPG I would highly recommend shooting sRGB as it might be a pain trying to convert all your images to sRGB to simply post online.

pxchoi wrote in post #12063336
...But lets say that I want to change all my images that were post processed in sRGB, how do I change them to Adobe RGB,

You don't say what image format your PP'd photos are saved as, so let's assume JPG.

No, you really won't accomplish anything by converting a smaller gamut color space to a larger one... It will just remap the existing color tones but will not add anymore color data. Think of the Adobe RGB color space as a larger "container" than sRGB. It will be like pouring a pint of water into a gallon bottle. You still have only a pint of water.

pxchoi wrote in post #12063336
.and how do I make sure that all images from now on are Adobe RGB?

Uuuhhh... Don't convert to sRGB?

I shoot 99% in RAW, then convert to tiff or jpeg.

I set CS5 to notify me when the embedded space and the working space are different, and apparently most of my jpegs that were converted from raw are already in Adobe RGB. How did this happen?

pxchoi,

When you said you were told to use aRGB, was that the WHCC lab, or are you just saying "somebody said this"? If it's the latter, did they explain reasons that you made sense of? Did they explain to you the "pifalls" of the aRGB color space?

If the print lab told you it was best to use aRGB, well, that would be good to know, but it's usually not the case with print labs.

But it is also good to know that aRGB can cause you problems for different types of uses. Displaying images on the Web is a typical example -- many apps don't interpret aRGB properly and most monitors out there may have problems making an aRGB image look like it's supposed to. Sending aRGB images to friends and clients may lead to a less than pleasing result.

Knowing all this, you want to learn if and when you actually can benefit from using aRGB, or should you consider using the sRGB "space" until you can learn what's going on with things.

pxchoi wrote in post #12063787
I shoot 99% in RAW, then convert to tiff or jpeg.

I set CS5 to notify me when the embedded space and the working space are different, and apparently most of my jpegs that were converted from raw are already in Adobe RGB. How did this happen?

If you shot in Raw, then it's likely that Camera Raw is using aRGB in the Raw conversion. Look at the link at the bottom of the preview window in Camera Raw and it will show what color space it is "working in" -- that's what it will convert your image to. Click the link to change that.

tonylong wrote in post #12063810
pxchoi,

When you said you were told to use aRGB, was that the WHCC lab, or are you just saying "somebody said this"? If it's the latter, did they explain reasons that you made sense of? Did they explain to you the "pifalls" of the aRGB color space?

If the print lab told you it was best to use aRGB, well, that would be good to know, but it's usually not the case with print labs.

But it is also good to know that aRGB can cause you problems for different types of uses. Displaying images on the Web is a typical example -- many apps don't interpret aRGB properly and most monitors out there may have problems making an aRGB image look like it's supposed to. Sending aRGB images to friends and clients may lead to a less than pleasing result.

Knowing all this, you want to learn if and when you actually can benefit from using aRGB, or should you consider using the sRGB "space" until you can learn what's going on with things.

Good to know, I had it set to aRGB simply because thats what they told me to do. I didn't question it.

So, I think all my jpegs that were converted from raw are already in aRBG, does this explain why when I post on the web, images look less saturated?

So, now that i know that WHCC automatically converts to sRGB, does that mean when I sent them an image they will look less saturated after printing? And also, should I take the time to convert my images into sRGB?

sRGB is generic and so it's "safe" for pretty much any "general" use. There are comercial applications that have different requirements, but those are specialized.

So yes, the pics you've posted on the Web look off becase of the aRGB profile -- in Photoshop get them back in and convert to profile sRGB in the Edit menu and you should see a good difference.

As faw as WHCC, they can handle sRGB, in fact they may work best for you if you just gave them sRGB because that way you handle any color issues without blindly trusting their aRGB to sRGB conversion.

The one area where it may benefit you to consider aRGB is when you are dealing with bright, saturated colors and you want to be able to print those colors on a printer that you know can handle them. Some imkjet printers have this capability. Otherwis, it can be more effective to tone that color down so it "fits" in the sRGB color space and so when you convert to sRGB it won't come across badly.

tonylong wrote in post #12063891
sRGB is generic and so it's "safe" for pretty much any "general" use. There are comercial applications that have different requirements, but those are specialized.

So yes, the pics you've posted on the Web look off becase of the aRGB profile -- in Photoshop get them back in and convert to profile sRGB in the Edit menu and you should see a good difference.

As faw as WHCC, they can handle sRGB, in fact they may work best for you if you just gave them sRGB because that way you handle any color issues without blindly trusting their aRGB to sRGB conversion.

The one area where it may benefit you to consider aRGB is when you are dealing with bright, saturated colors and you want to be able to print those colors on a printer that you know can handle them. Some imkjet printers have this capability. Otherwis, it can be more effective to tone that color down so it "fits" in the sRGB color space and so when you convert to sRGB it won't come across badly.

Gotcha. This is very helpful. I suppose I have a couple more things I want to clear up.

Now I set photoshop to let me know when there are 'profile mismatches,' 'missing profiles,' and 'ask when pasting'.

When I make adjustments to my raw image and then open the image I get a message saying that the imbedded profile is aRGB. Is there way to default it sRGB from now on or do I just have to change the color profile to sRGB when the notification appears.

And, I think this is the last question. For all my images that are in aRGB. That's a lot of images to try to convert into sRBG. Is there an easier way of doing this, perhaps in Lightroom?

pxchoi wrote in post #12063993
Gotcha. This is very helpful. I suppose I have a couple more things I want to clear up.

Now I set photoshop to let me know when there are 'profile mismatches,' 'missing profiles,' and 'ask when pasting'.

When I make adjustments to my raw image and then open the image I get a message saying that the imbedded profile is aRGB. Is there way to default it sRGB from now on or do I just have to change the color profile to sRGB when the notification appears.

And, I think this is the last question. For all my images that are in aRGB. That's a lot of images to try to convert into sRBG. Is there an easier way of doing this, perhaps in Lightroom?

In ACR there is text at the bottom of the image to set the bit depth and the color space. Click it and change it to sRGB if you like.

AFAIK there is no easier way to change the color space. But I'm sure there is probably a way in photoshop to make a "macro" for the process. I've dealt with this a little but not enough to direct you.

pxchoi wrote in post #12063993
For all my images that are in aRGB. That's a lot of images to try to convert into sRBG.

Are you planning to have all your photos printed at one time? I would only convert files as needed.

And of course, you DON'T convert the original file, but a copy.


And read this:

http://www.getcolorman​aged.com …pscolorsettings​/#more-407

ChasP505 wrote in post #12064186
Are you planning to have all your photos printed at one time? I would only convert files as needed.

And of course, you DON'T convert the original file, but a copy.

I do have dozens of images that I want to post to the web. It would be nice if I can convert by the batch. I guess its not that much trouble to do it one at a time.

But one thing I would like to know is if there is a way to open and image from RAW and have it automatically open it in sRGB. Mine seems to want to open in aRGB even after I have my CS5 settings are defaulted to sRBG. So, I get a notification everytime saying that the embedded color profile is different from the working profile. It would be nice to just click open image after making my adjustments in RAW and have it open right up in my desired color profile.

Also, I alway make sure to keep my RAW images.

pxchoi wrote in post #12064276
I do have dozens of images that I want to post to the web. It would be nice if I can convert by the batch. I guess its not that much trouble to do it one at a time.

But one thing I would like to know is if there is a way to open and image from RAW and have it automatically open it in sRGB. Mine seems to want to open in aRGB even after I have my CS5 settings are defaulted to sRBG. So, I get a notification everytime saying that the embedded color profile is different from the working profile. It would be nice to just click open image after making my adjustments in RAW and have it open right up in my desired color profile.

Also, I alway make sure to keep my RAW images.

First of all, for your Raw files, as SDiver mentioned all you have to do is set ACR to sRGB. Open an image or a batch of images in ACR and then click that little link below the preview and set the color space to sRGB. Then, you can process them and they will be converted in the sRGB color space. Bingo! In fact, this setting is "sticky" so that you can press Done in ACR after doing that and you are good 'till you need to do more.

For images you have already processed, it's also easy -- run the Image Processor from Bridge (in the Tools/Photoshop menu I believe). The image processor gives you the ability to resize as well as set the color space. It's a good tool for outputting something for the Web or sharing or whatnot without a lot of fuss.

You mentioned Lightroom -- if you have it it is also very straightforward -- you set the color space in the Export dialog. It also is a "sticky" setting. Plus, you can designate a color space in the Edit in Photoshop dialog and be good to go that way.

tonylong wrote in post #12064358
First of all, for your Raw files, as SDiver mentioned all you have to do is set ACR to sRGB. Open an image or a batch of images in ACR and then click that little link below the preview and set the color space to sRGB. Then, you can process them and they will be converted in the sRGB color space. Bingo! In fact, this setting is "sticky" so that you can press Done in ACR after doing that and you are good 'till you need to do more.

For images you have already processed, it's also easy -- run the Image Processor from Bridge (in the Tools/Photoshop menu I believe). The image processor gives you the ability to resize as well as set the color space. It's a good tool for outputting something for the Web or sharing or whatnot without a lot of fuss.

You mentioned Lightroom -- if you have it it is also very straightforward -- you set the color space in the Export dialog. It also is a "sticky" setting. Plus, you can designate a color space in the Edit in Photoshop dialog and be good to go that way.

Ahhh... Thanks. I think that clears up most of my questions then. Again, you guys have been extremely helpful. I will most likely use Bridge to do any conversions as I am not very familiar with LR. Now that I'm done with school and have more time available I think I may mess around with LR a bit more.