How does Adobe RGB affect workflow unlike sRGB?

Hi,
I'm new to color spaces. I've read about Adobe RGB providing better color range in prints, that is if you export the raw file as Adobe RGB. But why do people speak of workflow? I use Lightroom. I thought a file is RAW until you apply a color space to it, but only when you're ready to convert it into a JPEG....

This is the kind of thing I read online:
"Adobe RGB requires special software and painstaking workflow not to screw it up."

Luigi, I think you'd better stick with your previous thread, even if you have additional questions on color spaces.

People are missing you there.

agedbriar wrote in post #18246235
Luigi, I think you'd better stick with your previous thread, even if you have additional questions on color spaces.

People are missing you there.

As was said, your previous thread has a ton of "stuff", wade through it!

It should be said that as we saw there are areas of "differences" in workflow preferences, those are things to wade through. I'd just start with KISS ("Keep It Simple, Stupid" )! In your Raw processor do your Raw editing, then put out the results for the intended output! Use sRGB for most stuff, aRGB if you will be printing to a compatible printer and if your setup "works" with aRGB (or ProPhotoRGB)! But take your time, and KISS!

Until you understand color backwards and forwards, such as by reading and understanding this book, use sRgb for everything. While Adobe RGB has some small theoretical advantages it depends on your subject and output medium, and if you do something wrong in your workflow you can mess up your color and have everything look really muted and dull. There is also some small, probably theoretical loss, when converting between color spaces, so I convert directly from RAW to the color space I need. Sometimes this means one set of images in one color space for my album manufacturer and another set in sRgb for the customer.

Only using sRgb avoids problems and will greatly increase your changes of producing good prints and files.

I use ProPhoto in PS. When I use the save for web tool I have the Convert to sRGB box checked. For prints I use the Edit - Convert to Profile tool when I'm done editing. I convert to sRGB. LR uses ProPhoto and I just choose sRGB when exporting.

If you do work in Photoshop, well I learned from experience that it's not wise to keep an image in ProPhoto or even aRGB when you are saving for the Web, unless you have a very clear process to convert to sRGB! Otherwise, things can get real ugly when you post those photos to the Web! If you are going to use another color space in PS then you need a solid workflow "habit"!

1. Only go from a 16-bit space to an 8-bit space
   
2. Never ever convert from one 8-bit space to a different 8-bit space...even with a 16-bit space as the intermediate point
   

If you lost it, here's your earlier thread on the subject, best to continue the discussion here;

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1474160