I own a calibrated, wide-color gamut monitor (BenQ SW2700PT) which displays the full AdobeRGB color spectrum. However, I have tried numerous photo viewing applications, and all seem to render the colors differently in my images; even ones that say they make use of the monitor's color profile.
The default Windows 10 Photos application doesn't appear to be color corrected at all. Photoshop, FastStone Image Viewer, Fast Image Viewer, and the older Windows photo viewer all seem to render the images closer to reality. However, they all are slightly different! Can somebody please tell me why this is so?
I am looking for a quick, lightweight, and preferably free photo viewer which renders the photos in the exact same way Photoshop does. Any suggestions
I would read over your monitor manual & as well, check the monitor's software settings. Next, you need to explain more about your images & color management. It is not enough to say that your monitor is AdobeRGB capable & that is it. As well, you haven't said if you have chosen the factory default *.icm profile(s), which is NOT Adobe RGB, as your Windows SYSTEM profile. The other software, if they are color managed, will work of the Windows System profile. Normally, one does this via Color Calibration Hardware & Software, which creates a *.icm monitor profile that one can custom name & the software places it in the System folder for the OS & applications to use. Monitor profiles are DIFFERENT & not interchangeable with image profiles. Sorry if you know that.
Having said that, it doesn't sound like you know much about color management & so you are not clear on how to use AdobeRGB, or sRGB. Why not do a Google Search or a search of these forums for Color Management or monitor calibration tutorials. As well, you could search YouTube. All the info is here already, you just need to look for it. Also search for threads & links to "Digidog" or Andrew Rodney, as he has some great info on his website.
Just having a factory calibrated monitor & turning it on isn't going to solve all your problems. Most of the time you are going to be using the monitor in sRGB mode & NOT AdobeRGB. You will use the latter mode ONLY for image editing in Photoshop or Lightroom after that, you'll most of the time output the edited image to sRGB for browser or web viewing or printing. My point is, that it's a big topic & you are just starting your learning curve.
So, read the monitor manual & look for other documents & tutorials from the manufacturer, look for tutorials online by using Google Search & also check out this forum & YouTube. Also, do some research on color calibration hardware & software, which you should buy & learn how to use. It will solve some problems for you & keep your monitor profiles current, as monitors do age & degrade over time, so your factory calibration is time limited, sort of like breaking in a new pair of shoes, which will change over time from new.
Search first, ask questions later.
