Color loss when flattening image

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/18/2009 02:27:51 PM · #1

I tried to do a search on this but I cannot seem to find a good answer. Recently I noticed I was having problems with color loss while flattening an image in photoshop 7. I've been applying a gradient layer of color to a layer, changed the mode to overlay, and everything looks vibrant. Then I flatten the image and all the colors are dull. I'm working in RGB color settings but not sure what else is going on. I'm not that knowlegable about the technical terms of using photoshop because I've mostly been a hands on learner - so I'm thinking I did something wrong. Can anyone help?

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

06/18/2009 02:55:23 PM · #2

Sometimes layer blending and/or effects get lost when you merge layers, but if you are actually using the flatten image command, you shouldn't lose anything. Try this: before flattening, select all (CTRL+A), copy all layers (CTRL+SHFT+C), paste onto new layer (CTRL+V) and see if that new composite layer's colors are ok. Then flatten and see if it is still ok.

06/18/2009 05:50:01 PM · #3

Thanks Art! I will try this soon. It's just odd to me because I've never had a drop in vibrance like this before BUT I don't often use the overlay mode either. I'll let you know if it works. :)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/18/2009 08:12:47 PM · #4

Well, it didn't work :( It loses it's vibrancy still... not sure why this is different this time... oh well, thanks anyway!

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

06/18/2009 08:45:22 PM · #5

Do you lose it if you don't flatten it and just Save As jpg or Save for Web (check the preview)?

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

06/18/2009 08:52:12 PM · #6

ok this is interesting - I did something new. I've tried saving it as a jpg before and yeah, had the color loss. So I thought I'd give it another try. There is this option there called "format options" and the "baseline optimized" was selected. So I chose the progressive option and bumped it up to 5 and that worked.

So what did I just do? lol I don't even know what this feature means.

edit... ok it did not totally work but there was less loss of color

Message edited by author 2009-06-18 20:53:24.

muckpond

Nikon D200

06/18/2009 08:54:03 PM · #7

try working in the sRGB color space instead. either convert it to sRGB before you save, or check the convert to sRGB box when you are saving for web.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/18/2009 08:56:25 PM · #8

Originally posted by colorcarnival:

It's just a different format of jpg - I'm not up on the technical details - but when I find something that works (or works a little better) I just go with it. You could also bump up the saturation before flattening - I find I have to do that for images I post on DPC - bump by at least 10 or 20 to get it to maintain the color vibrancy.

Pentax SMC-DA * 16-50mm F2.8 ED/AL (IF) SDM

06/18/2009 09:02:29 PM · #9

Originally posted by muckpond:

try working in the sRGB color space instead. either convert it to sRGB before you save, or check the convert to sRGB box when you are saving for web.

I made a mistake earlier when I said RGB - I'm already working in sRGB :( I feel so clueless lol

The only time I have run into this was when I used this overlay mode on a layer. Any other time I bump the saturation in normal mode, it's not been a problem. I found someone who had posted the same question in flickr but they did not get a good response. I think I shall just work with what I have and live with it :)

Thank you both for your help!

benjikan

Pentax K-5

06/25/2009 03:08:12 PM · #10

I think I know what your problem is. I am certain that you are working in CMYK (CMYK stands for Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Key/Black) and converting to RGB. Or going from RGB to CMYK This is a classic problem that confronts pre-press. Pre-press generally asks for 4 color CMYK files and ask that you convert from RGB for them. However many print houses have dedicted software for doing this and more often than not today, they will do the conversion. The classic result is a loss of vibrancy and saturation. However, if your calibration has been set up perfectly, you should see little to no change when toggling between the two in PS. When you flatten the image it is probably defaulting to the setting in your PS parameters.

Message edited by author 2009-06-25 15:09:57.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/25/2009 03:52:03 PM · #11

The gamut of the CMYK color model is only about 7000 colors, with many whole ranges (especially vibrant blues) completely irreproducible.

If you are going to have something printed by the CMYK process, you should at least do a trial conversion yourself, even if you intend for the printer to make the final conversion, so you won't be too shocked if some colors seem to shift markedly.

Also, Photoshop has a lot of settings/controls which determine how the RGB > CMYK conversion is made -- check with your printer to see what settings they recommend. These will refer to things like "Black Generation," Total Ink Coverage, etc.; these will be somewhere in the Preferences ...