Need Color Space Help! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/03/2007 05:30:24 PM · #1

Ok, this is driving me semi-bonkers. And I know that similar things have been discussed in the past, but I can't find anything that's solving my problem.

I just installed Photoshop CS3, and when I use "Save for Web & Devices," the colors are markedly different between the save for web preview and the image I've been working on.

I've made sure that the color space is set to sRGB, and this is happening whether I open a RAW image, a JPG or even if I use "print screen" and paste a screen capture. I've tinkered with some of the settings, but I seem to always end up with the same result.

Here's a shot of my color settings, and an example of how the shots look different while using Save for Web... any advice is muy appreciated :)

brownsm

Canon EOS-5D

10/03/2007 05:40:47 PM · #2

what do you have for your proof settings? I seem to remember that I had this same problem, and I needed to change that. It's under one of the menu items to the right of Filters (don;t have Photoshop at work to check.

10/03/2007 05:54:06 PM · #3

edit > convert to profile. -w black point compensation checked

i'm guessing your proof set up is set to sRGB. but that's a soft proof. it doesn't actually convert the color space, just lets you preview what the colors will look like if converted to that space or of it's a printer profile you're soft proofing - what it will look like coming out of the prtinter.

at least thats the path i follow from an adobe RGB RAW file to an sRGB web image.

Message edited by author 2007-10-03 17:54:47.

10/03/2007 05:58:26 PM · #4

A-ha! I believe this was the culprit. I saw mention of "proof setup" elsewhere, but I couldn't find it under "View." I had to fish through menus, and select "Show all menu items" to make that available. And it was set to "Working CMYK." So I set it to "Monitor RGB."

Is Monitor RGB the appropriate setting... I also see "Windows RGB"...?

Originally posted by brownsm:

10/03/2007 06:02:15 PM · #5

your working space is already set to sRGB

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/03/2007 06:02:24 PM · #6

The 'save for web' dialog box also has a 'mystery menu' under a small right pointing diamond, somewhere at the top middle right of the page (up top, but on the right hand side) where you can set the proof colourspace used to preview the output.

Often that can be set incorrectly and cause the problem you describe too.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

10/03/2007 06:06:19 PM · #7

Yeah, I found that, too, and unchecked the "convert to sRGB" option.

Now I'm finding that the settings aren't "sticking." In other words, I'm having to go through these menu options each time I open an image.

Just shoot me.

Originally posted by Gordon:

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

10/03/2007 06:07:33 PM · #8

I use monitor RGB and it comes out the same :0)

10/03/2007 06:19:09 PM · #9

maybe i am all wrong, but when i open an image that has been shot in Adobe RGB - saved as a TIFF from RAW - and then opened in cs3. before it opens i then chose to keep the native color profile - vs convert to working space.

so - the image i am editing is still adobe RGB. this, i would think, gives you optimal latitude for using the image for different purposes.

if i am going to save as for web, i proof it in sRGB, and if it looks good - convert it to sRGB - resize and sharpen.

if i want to make a print file for my printer, i can undo the sharpen - resize - color settings and then proof the file in the printers' profile.

no?

10/03/2007 06:35:59 PM · #10

ARGH!

So I thought all was well... the Save For Web and my working image were looking the same... so I was confident that I had everything figured out.

But then I uploaded a shot to DPC and it looks significantly different in Photoshop. Should it really be this difficult?

I just accidentally stuck a carton of ice cream into the microwave... I'm going goofy!

10/03/2007 06:48:29 PM · #11

it probably shouldn't be - but it is.

no-one seems to fully comprehend the workings of color space. at least as far as photographers go ;}

stdavidson and dwoolridge? seemed to be pretty educated about it.

and i bet Gordon knows more than both of us combined...

10/03/2007 07:06:05 PM · #12

from here: //www.computer-darkroom.com/ps10_colour/ps10_1.htm

Document Specific Color
Just like its more recent predecessors Photoshop CS3 continues to use document specific color settings, Actually, the Working Space that's chosen in the Color Settings dialog has a direct bearing on only three types of document, viz.: -

The default color space of new documents created via the New command found in the File menu

Existing documents without an embedded ICC profile

Imported documents with no embedded ICC profile (i.e. untagged documents), which might include scanned documents or those emanating from digital cameras.

so if you're shooting in adobe RGB - you need to convert to the sRGB space for web output before saving for web. your working space settings have no bearing on that file unless you throw out the embedded profile upon opening.

Message edited by author 2007-10-03 19:11:43.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/03/2007 07:17:48 PM · #13

Originally posted by soup:

so if you're shooting in adobe RGB - you need to convert to the sRGB space for web output before saving for web. your working space settings have no bearing on that file unless you throw out the embedded profile upon opening.

I keep the camera set on sRGB... never had an issue with CS2. I've been back & forth with Steve a couple times (thanks for the help!) and this is where I am, in case anyone has any additional insight:

There are three areas where the image appears...

1. The image as I'm editing it in PS CS3.
2. The image as it appears in the "save for web" dialog.
3. The image as it appears in a browser.

I can get 1 to look the same as 2, or 2 to look the same as 3, but I just can't get 1 to look the same as 3!

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

10/03/2007 07:17:56 PM · #14

Everytime I have this problem it is from not checking View Proof and having it on Monitor RGB....

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/03/2007 07:28:17 PM · #15

Hmmm... ok... I set the Color Proof thing on Monitor RGB, and everything seemed to match up in a test shot I tried (from what it looked like editing it, to save for web, to the browser).

BUT how do I keep the "Proof Colors" thing checked? It un-checks it every time I open a new image.

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Everytime I have this problem it is from not checking View Proof and having it on Monitor RGB....

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

10/03/2007 07:40:04 PM · #16

Originally posted by alanfreed:

how do I keep the "Proof Colors" thing checked?

You don't... although you can probably set a keyboard shortcut to save trips to the menu. Note that if you're set on Proof> Monitor RGB and you then convert color spaces (Adobe RGB > sRGB, for example), you'll have to go back and check Monitor RGB again.

JulieG

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

10/03/2007 07:43:40 PM · #17

I'm so glad I came across this thread. I have the same problem, I think, since I switched to CS3. It's OK if I remember to view proof then monitor RGB for each image I edit, but if I forget to check that it turns out completely different. Even doing the view proof thing doesn't exactly match what I will get when I save the picture, but it is a lot closer. Anyone else have any info? It never happened to me in CS2 either and I haven't changed any of the default settings in CS3.

LanndonKane

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

10/03/2007 07:46:44 PM · #18

Just make sure you're editing your shots in Adobe RGB. When you use save for web itll automatically convert to sRGB, which is what web browsers use.

Message edited by author 2007-10-03 19:48:12.

JulieG

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

10/03/2007 07:47:01 PM · #19

Oh so you just have to remember to do the proof thing every time you open a new image?