Images appear lighter in Photoshop (CS2) than they actually are

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Posted By
OsamaLlama
Jun 29, 2007
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1415
Replies
18
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Closed
Images I have saved from the internet and opened in Photoshop appear in lighter shades than they are supposed to be shown. I have even opened the images in other programs to make sure they were not corrupt, and they showed up perfect.

Thank you
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chrisjbirchall
Jun 29, 2007
Photoshop is a colour-managed application. Did you customize your colour settings? Did you correctly profile your monitor?

<http://www.computer-darkroom.com> is a great place to get a handle on colour management.
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OsamaLlama
Jun 29, 2007
First off, I thank you much for replying 🙂

Well I’m not sure what all that means, but I think I have a bit of an idea. Just to make sure, are you saying that images that show up perfectly anywhere else will not show up right in Photoshop, because of the calibration settings? If so, how do I go about fixing them?
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Bernie
Jun 29, 2007
If so, how do I go about fixing them?

Start by going through the link provided by Chris
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OsamaLlama
Jun 30, 2007
Alright, here is an image viewed in Imageready, looking as it should:

And here’s the same image in Photoshop:

I assume this is some setting in Photoshop that I need to edit, but I can’t seem to find it.
L
LenHewitt
Jun 30, 2007
Osama,

are you saying that images that show up perfectly anywhere else will
not show up right in Photoshop,<<

If you have an accurate monitor profile, and an image with embedded profile, then Photoshop will display the ‘accurate’ version whereas other applications that are not colour managed will not.

If it helps you in any way here is my short "idiot’s guide to CM" <g>

The numbers in an image file do not represent specific colours. For example, 255R, 0G, 0B just means "make the brightest, most saturated red you can". It doesn’t mean a specific SHADE of red, and the red that will result will depend upon the capabilities of the device the data is being sent to (usually either a monitor or printer of some sort).

Only when coupled with an ICC profile that describes the ‘colour space’ do those numbers represent a specific shade.

There is data in a file. That data doesn’t represent specific colours UNTIL the colour space is stated (embedded profile or assign profile).

The working profile sets up the colour space you are working in, and the embedded profile allows the CM engine to convert the file data values to your working space values so those values still represent the same colour as originally indicated by the file data and embedded profile.

The monitor profile alters that data from your working space on the fly to allow the monitor to display the colours represented by the data within the working space profile.

When you print, the output profile alters the data to allow the printer to reproduce the colours represented by the data and the image profile.

The monitor profile effectively drops out of the equation when you print.

Provided the ‘translation’ from working space to monitor is correct AND the translation from working space to output device is correct, the print will match the monitor.

However, only if the translation from embedded profile to working space is also correct will the monitor and print also match the original file intentions.

For a fuller explanation, spend some 15 minutes or so over at http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps9_colour/ps9_1.htm

Also take a look at:
http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps9_colour/ps9_print_1.htm
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OsamaLlama
Jun 30, 2007
In the first step of Adobe Gamma, it says to change the contrast and brightness, but where do I do this?
KV
Klaas Visser
Jun 30, 2007
You use the brightness and contrast controls on your monitor.
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OsamaLlama
Jul 1, 2007
Well, it turned out all I had to do was do "Edit > Color Settings > Monitor Color" to fix it. Why did none of you just tell me THAT?
MD
Michael_D_Sullivan
Jul 1, 2007
Because that means that your images will be profiled for your monitor, not for a standard color space.
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OsamaLlama
Jul 1, 2007
But when I save the image in photoshop, wont it be the same as it would be anyways?

And I still don’t know where to change brightness and contrast.
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chrisjbirchall
Jul 1, 2007
Osama. I provided you with a link, back in post #1, to Ian Lyons’ excellent articles on colour management. If you’d read and digested the information therin all your questions would have been answered.

But when I save the image in photoshop, wont it be the same as it would be anyways?

It’s no good just setting things up to look good on your monitor. Two wrongs don’t make a right. The aim is to save images from your colour-managed set-up in such a way they will appear correct (as near as is possible) to the rest of the non colour-managed world.

You have no control over the state of other people’s monitors, but by colour-managing, at least you will be presenting them with a correctly colour and gamma corrected image.

I still don’t know where to change brightness and contrast.

Consult the manual that came with your monitor.
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OsamaLlama
Jul 1, 2007
So am I aiming for images shown in photoshop to look the same as they do in other apps on my computer?

If anyone would like to help me one-on-one, my MSN is – I’d consult to remote assistance 🙁
JJ
John_Joslin
Jul 1, 2007
Somebody might offer to help you individually but why don’t you just read, understand and put into practice the information already given?
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chrisjbirchall
Jul 1, 2007
Did you read the information in the link provided?
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OsamaLlama
Jul 1, 2007
Yes, I have, and I just read it again. All this is quite confusing to me. I have been trying to find help for this for a few days and have been looking all over for anything related to my problem. If anyone would help me one-on-one, it would be greatly appreciated.
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chrisjbirchall
Jul 1, 2007
Ian’s tutorial style is as good as any one-to-one help. Just come back here with any specifics you are having difficulty with.
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OsamaLlama
Jul 1, 2007
Well, for one, how do I know when I have it right?
C
chrisjbirchall
Jul 1, 2007
When you have what right? Colour Management? Monitor profiling? Workflow?

If you’re referring to profiling your monitor, you have to understand that using Adobe Gamma relies on your judgement and that in turn depends upon the viewing conditions you have created for your work station.

As you will have gleaned from carefully reading Ian Lyons’ articles, the definitive method is to use a hardware profiling solution – a spyder – to create your profile.

For what it’s worth, I use Adobe Gamma and regularly check my monitor against a known good print (the FujiFilm calibration print). But there is no doubt the most accurite way – and especially if you are inexperienced – is to use a hardware device.

Try this PDF from Jeff Schewe and Bruce Frazer.

<http://www.schewephoto.com/workshop/phscs2ip_colormgraw.pdf>

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