Lost Colour

First, I’m no expert, so I don’t know what I’ve done. I just purchased Scott Kelby’s Photoshop Book for digital Photographers, and it’s got a bunch of really neat info. However, when I went to the print at my local lab (twice at two locations), my images were so dull and dark and colourless, I fear I’ve messed up my whole system.

Hang on! If sRGB is the default workspace, why am I converting to AdobeRGB in the first place?

First, I’m no expert, so I don’t know what I’ve done. I just purchased Scott Kelby’s Photoshop Book for digital Photographers,

wilkie wrote:

Hang on! If sRGB is the default workspace, why am I converting to AdobeRGB in the first place?

sRGB is the default workspace for online printing services and other ‘amateur’ printing services like printshops. However, if you print yourself on an inkjet printer, or you use a professional lab, or your images are intended for publication, AdobeRGB is the better choice.

I’m afraid that is the typical Scott Kelby approach: He tells you ‘do this’ or ‘do that’, but usually he doesn’t explain why. Depending on what you do with your images, sRGB may indeed be the better choice for you.

Two more questions:

If my digital camera photos already have an embedded sRGB profile should I just use that as my work space? I seems to me the answer is yes, which would account for 99% of my files.

Two more questions:

If my digital camera photos already have an embedded sRGB profile should I just use that as my work space? I seems to me the answer is yes, which would account for 99% of my files.

Does the work space I use affect my output? Should I be doing something like changing to CMYK mode before sending my files to a lab? I normally use the corner photo shop for regular snapshots, but I use a professional lab if I want better quality prints.

On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 21:35:38 +0200, (Johan W.
Elzenga) wrote:

wilkie wrote:

Hang on! If sRGB is the default workspace, why am I converting to AdobeRGB in the first place?

sRGB is the default workspace for online printing services and other ‘amateur’ printing services like printshops. However, if you print yourself on an inkjet printer, or you use a professional lab, or your images are intended for publication, AdobeRGB is the better choice.

Interesting, the printers doing my work suggested I must use adobeRGB1998.

I’m afraid that is the typical Scott Kelby approach: He tells you ‘do this’ or ‘do that’, but usually he doesn’t explain why. Depending on what you do with your images, sRGB may indeed be the better choice for you.

Mmm Hecate, you seem to be right when you said I must
rather go for Martin Evenings version:-)

Interesting, the printers doing my work suggested I must use adobeRGB1998.

"DD" wrote in message

Interesting, the printers doing my work suggested I must use adobeRGB1998.

We use AdobeRGB1998 at my place. But IMO nothing beats a hard copy proof for color matching.

On Fri, 02 Sep 2005 02:30:23 GMT, "OcTavO"
wrote:

"DD" wrote in message

Interesting, the printers doing my work suggested I must use adobeRGB1998.

We use AdobeRGB1998 at my place. But IMO nothing beats a hard copy proof for color matching.

yah, thats it. I use whatever the printer asks me too, but in the end it dont matter much: I get a matchprint, and then they make color alterations on my file until I’m satisfied, and then they rip their plates direct-to-press from that color corrected file. i take that final matchprint to their press check and tell them, this is YOUR proof, you match it. No excuses and if it doesnt match, we’ll adjust on press as needed. Seems to generally work well.