On the Nikon D2X there are a choice of 2 colour space settings, one "sRGB" and the other "AdobeRGB" I read what the book says about them but don't see and difference using either, can anyone explain it a little more. Thx

This is a big, big subject! Simplest way of looking at it is that if you shoot for publication then use the Adobe rgb colour setting, otherwise you might want to choose sRGB. If you are using Photoshop then their help (especially on-line) may be interesting. Take a look at www.robgalbraith.com too.

Generally I would say shoot in Adobe RGB - and convert into sRGB for on screen/web viewing. On the D2X I shoot in Adobe RGB Mode III (rich colours).

To try and explain without jargon, and I admit I'm no expert on these things, Adobe RGB supports a wider range of colours in the file - and therefore will produce a nicer final printed file once converted to CMYK. sRGB is more in tune with computer monitors and looks better on screen, particularly in uncolour space managed software.

But the difference is pretty small and not worth getting too worried about (expect that you want to convert out of Adobe RGB before using save-for-web in photoshop.

If you were shooting entirely for on screen purposes then you might want to shoot in sRGB. But generally most shoot in Abobe RGB and convert to sRGB when they need too.

Alex

Hi Alex

There was a fascinating discussion on robgalbraith recently about web browsers and colour profiles. It seems that some DO utilise colour profiles to adjust display output (Apple's Safari and some versions of IE although in IE it needs to be turned on). Most browsers do not and the consensus seemed to be that as you point out sRGB is best for web/monitor use.

I'm with you in that I use Adobe RGB but this can sometimes make monitor images look rather flat depending on how users have set them up (I've seen this myself!).

I suspect that you are right in saying that its not worth getting overworried about and I'd add that 'if it works for you then leave well alone'.

Agreed. Just checked an Adbobe RGB file in Safari and it looks great. But the problem is that save-for-web in photoshop/image ready strips the details of the profile from the file - although leaves the signature of the profile. This is what causes the washed out look of Abode RGB originating files - as the browser doesn't know what the file is and therefore assumes (incorrectly) that they are sRGB.

Alex

I'll try and dig out some examples.

Right, quickly did an example. The original file is in Adobe RGB.

This version is saved with "Save_As" with the Adobe RGB profile embedded:



And this version of the same file is saved with "Save_For_Web" from the Adobe RGB file. Save for web strips the profile information. Then the browser assumes it is sRGB and the file looks washed out:


If you download the second one of these and open it up in Photoshop in an Adobe 98 RGB working colour space then it should look like the first file does in the browser.

Alex

p.s. I should add that in browsers that can't read colour profiles, both files will look washed out.

Yep. I have just checked that. In the old version of IE on my computer both files look washed out.
Alex

Hi Alex

Spot on - I'm using Safari and the first image is indeed vibrant whilst the second does look washed out. Firefox doesn't support colour spaces either apparently.

The joys of computing.......

Thanks good example, I'll have to look into this more, I always save for the web in adobe, looks like I'll have to experiment now

When shooting RAW you don't need to worry about the color space the camera is set to.

... yet another reason to always leave the camera set to RAW

That's a good point. That's my understanding as well.
However, creating a RAW file is seldom the end of the process for most. If you're interested in either uploading to the web or printing your photographs color space is an issue and you will want to embed a color profile of some sort. The concerns raised above will still apply. That said, it's nice to now you can worry about in post processing rather than before shooting.