Tutorials Index

Beagle Smudge
Color Management
Color Spots
Crop Tool
FFT Action
Gradient Artifacts
Gradient Mask
Layer Mask Basics
Out of Bounds
Smooth Skin Action
Sky Replacement
Window Arrange

COLOR MANAGEMENT FOR STARTERS
(DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY)

Foreword:
This article is intended for starters and beginners only. It covers the typical workflow with its color settings and working spaces for someone using a digital camera to capture the images, post process in Photoshop and output to a website or inkjet printer at home. There are no explanations as to why, it's simply a list of recommended settings to get you started. If you like to learn more, follow the links at the end of this article.

For advanced users and someone knowing about color management. This article is not for you! You will find better information using Google to browse for online material and you will want to know why, not just see some settings and go with it because I say so ;)

In following article, I will show two different settings for each device. Go with the "simple yet effective" method to get you started and have an easy workflow. Use the "better but more advanced" method if you want to spend a few more minutes and dollars but be prepared to learn more about the subject on your own, using Google and other methods.

[Camera] Most digital cameras will give you an image "tagged" with sRGB. If you have a more advanced camera, you will have the choice between sRGB and aRGB. Your settings will only affect your JPG images, the RAW file will be whatever you choose for the output in the RAW converter.

[RAW Converter] If you follow the simple yet effective method, you don't need to convert your images and can use the JPGs straight out of the camera. For those shooting in RAW and converting with Adobe's Camera RAW converter ACR, profiling it with the help of Tom's script will give you better results.

[Monitor] Not matter if you work on a notebook, have an LCD or a CRT monitor, you need to calibrate it. The money spent on a calibration tool is well worth it but if you don't have such a tool, using the Adobe Gamma utility is still better than nothing.

[Photoshop] This is a very powerful tool and offers much more than I'm describing here. The settings below will get you started but only scratch the surface, so if you know something about it, make your own decisions. The settings can be found under Edit/Color Settings (Shift+Ctrl+K).

[Output for Web/Mail] The main concern for output to the web or e-mail is usually the size, so keep it reasonable. The color space used to view the images on a monitor is sRGB, so this is what your images should be, before you send them out or post them on the internet.

[Output to Printer] If you use your printer at home, here are some suggestions to get you started. If you send your pictures to a lab for printing, ask them what they want. If in doubt, use sRGB but be aware, this is not what the printer will use, they will convert it to whatever they need anyway.

[FAQ]

Q: I've opened a JPG image in Photoshop but it's more saturated than seen on the web.
A: You have assigned the wrong profile. Assuming it is sRGB, assign this profile to it and then convert to your working space.

Q: My images look fine in Photoshop but flat, dull or weird in another application or browser.
A: When you work in Adobe RGB or any other color space except sRGB, you need to convert to sRGB, before you send out the image or view it outside Photoshop.

Q: I have converted to sRGB but my images in Photoshop still look different than on the web.
A: Photoshop is an ICC profile aware application, whereas most other applications, including your browser, are not. Therefore, the color will never match exactly.

Q: The document does not have an embedded RGB profile, what do I do?
A: Assign the profile you believe to be correct, most likely sRGB, then convert to your working space.

Q: Should I use Gamma 1.8 or 2.2?
A: No matter if you are working on a Mac or a PC, I suggest you use Gamma 2.2.

Q: My prints look darker than the photos on my screen, should I adjust my monitor?
A: No, even though this seems to be the logical solution. Calibrate your screen as mentioned in this article but adjust your printer settings. For the best match, profile your printer and print using that profile.

[Useful Links]

Color Management:

• Colour Management by Ian Lyons
• Colour Management by Norman Koren
• Colour Management by Andrew Rodney
• Colour Management by Sean

Monitor Calibration and Tools:

• Monitor Calibration by Thomas Niemann
• Monitor Calibration by Dry Creek Photo
• Monitor Calibrators reviewed by Dry Creek Photo

Adobe Gamma:

• Adobe Gamma Knowledge Base by Adobe
• How to calibrate using Adobe Gamma by Ian Lyons

Camera Color Mode:

• Discussion by Kent Christiansen with reply from Ian Lyons

Adobe Camera RAW (ACR):

• ACR Calibrator Script by Thomas Fors
• Adobe Camera RAW calibration by Jonathan Wienke

Printing & Printer Calibration:

• Printing Without Pain by Bob Johnson
• Printer Calibration using a grayscale by Thomas Niemann
• Printer Calibration using density and color variations (action)

Thanks to 'Kent Christiansen' and 'Andrew Rodney'
Updated: November 26, 2005 (tested with PS CS2)