Color Profile conversion and color shift question

02/22/2008 01:42:45 PM · #1

brad's thread on Making CS2 Color space (proofing) sticky ! got me thinking I should see if there is an easier solution that I missed to color shifts when converting a file's color profile. I shoot and edit in Adobe RGB and save copies for printing in this color space, but when I save for the web I convert the color profile to sRGB, which causes a color shift in the picture even when proofing that file in that color space. I have just been adding a new hue/sat adjustment layer and tweaking to try abd get it back to the original color before conversion. The problem with this, other than it's a pita, is that sometimes it's hard to get back to the color before conversion. I have to be missing something here and I figured there are those of you who have a work around or solution for this issue. Thanks for any help on the matter. Trevor~

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/22/2008 01:46:11 PM · #2

convert the profile before you go to 'save for the web' if you aren't already doing that.

You shouldn't see any significant colour shift, aside from for out-of-gamut colours. If you see very noticeable shifts
across the whole image, you are going about it the wrong way.

Post the settings you are using the 'convert to colour profile' dialog (hopefully you are not using the 'assign profile' option which doesn't do any conversion, just a direct map.

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

02/22/2008 01:58:43 PM · #3

What I do is: I open the edit tab, drop down to convert to profile and choose the sRGB option. I have a choice of flattening the image and I usually do since I'm done editing anyway. I then switch the proof profile over to the same profile, which is for monitors. Usually it seems to shift the photo to a more red tone, is this just an out-of-gamut issue or I'm I screwing something up?

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

02/22/2008 02:04:03 PM · #4

This was exactly what led to my frustration and finding a way around always remembering to set the sRGB color space when I started the editing in CS2. I was working on MKIII and Nikon images that were not shot in sRGB to begin with and always noticed the faded look when trying to save for web (as so many "Help! - my colors are all washed out.." threads mirror)
Problem is, that even after finishing the editing, then shifting to Proof in sRGB, the wash-out was always noticeable. In every case, I had to boost saturation then save for web. Only other work-around was in the RAW conversion in say DPP, where the preferences are set in the conversion process to sRGB, but that won't help if you want the Adobe RGB for your printing.

Frustrating huh?

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/22/2008 02:12:47 PM · #5

for me, I start out tweaking in Lightroom, then open in Photoshop in ProPhotoRGB. My working space is 16-bit ProPhotoRGB
and I'll output to 8bit AdobeRGB for print or 8bit sRGB for web. I very rarely see any significant colour shift for the
web, more so for out of gamut colours with printing.

Basically, I do all the edits/ layers etc in 16-bit ProPhotoRGB. Once finished editing, I'll flatten the layers,
then resize, then ConvertTo sRGB, then down sample to 8-bit, prior to opening the save for web dialog.

I don't see any loss in saturation in this flow (which you get when you do an explicit assignto (not convert) to SRGB, or
you go straight into save for web (which does an implicit assignto sRGB).

the other problem people sometimes have is that the monitor/ soft proof profile in Save for Web is set incorrectly,
that might not be helping. The drop down to set it permanently is somewhat obscure to find (it's just a black diamond
at the top of the save for web page)

Not sure what's specifically frustrating about it though, when it is setup it is all pretty much automatic.

Message edited by author 2008-02-22 14:17:02.

02/22/2008 02:58:21 PM · #6

Gordon, you convert to profile before downsizing to 8-bit, I do it after. I'm curious if that could be one of my issues. I don't see anything other than that which seems much different than my flow for saving for the web. I just upgraded to Lightroom and just started working with the ProPhotoRGB profile, but still noticed the same issue last night on one of my pics with that new color profile. I'll give a run at converting before downsizing to 8-bit, that seems like it could be a source for my problem. Thanks for the help. Trevor~

Bebe

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/22/2008 03:05:18 PM · #7

Gordon - I never noticed the monitor/ soft proof profile in Save for Web before. Mine is set to "uncompensated color". What do you set yours to?

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

02/22/2008 03:32:05 PM · #8

Originally posted by trevytrev:

When you downsize to 8-bit before conversion you are throwing away some information, so that could be an issue. Also make sure you are Converting to sRGB not just Assigning to sRGB. In the Photoshop Menu: Image>Mode>Convert to Profile and NOT Image>Mode>Assign Profile

02/22/2008 03:39:40 PM · #9

Just did a quick trial and still an issue. I do convert to profile and not just assign a profile. I'm a bit stumped as it seems that it isn't a problem for some, I must be doing something wrong.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

02/22/2008 03:42:39 PM · #10

Is your monitor calibrated? Did you set Photoshop Menu>View>Proof setup > Monitor RGB?

02/22/2008 03:59:06 PM · #11

Originally posted by doctornick:

Is your monitor calibrated? Did you set Photoshop Menu>View>Proof setup > Monitor RGB?

My monitor is calibrated, and I set up the proof setup to Monitor RGB. What seems to be happening more than anything is that yellows tend to receive a reddish tint and reds will appear oversaturated.

ETA: Some photos, usually those lacking in yellows and reds, don't see a significant shift at all.

Message edited by author 2008-02-22 16:01:28.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

02/22/2008 04:02:19 PM · #12

Hmmm I'm stumped.

One more thing to check, did you get rid of Adobe Gamma? That can interfere with your colour management.