New color profiles to use with NX1 .srw files

In a recent thread by Luca (Luck5), who created a Dual Illuminant color profile for the NX1, we had a good discussion in solving the question of why some color profiles we create for the NX1 only work when applied to future DNG files and others only work applied to future SRW files, but not both. Since the NX1 raw files are SRW, the optimum solution is to create color profiles that always work on the SRW, and not have to convert each future raw image you shoot to DNG before applying the profile.

For those not acquainted with the color profiling process, the software that is used normally requires that a raw image of a color rendition target be converted to a DNG file for analysis and processing. A Dual Illuminant color profile like Luca created is similar to a more accurate AWB (Automatic White Balance) than the one in your camera. It requires shooting raw files of a color rendition targets at different Kelvin temperatures, convert them into DNG files, then use the software to analyze the colors and create a color profile that can be used in any light. It is very convenient, just like AWB in your camera, but usually not as accurate as a Single Illuminant color profile. A Single Illuminant is created with a single Kelvin temperature range (say 5800° K to 6600° K for sunlight), and then is applied only to images taken in sunlight. A second color profile would then have to be created for, say, Studio lights (3500° K to 3800° K), and then used with those raw files only. Just like choosing AWB vs Sunlight vs Shade etc. on your camera, using a Dual or Single Illuminant color profile is a choice based on your own preferred workflow.

What we found out in creating color profiles that work on future NX1 SRW files is that one particular step of the process is important. It is in converting the DNG file from the original SRW file taken of the color rendition chart. I had been using Samsung's DNG converter software. Ultimately my color profiles only worked on future DNG files but not on future SRW files. Luca used Adobe products to convert the target SRW files to DNG files. His color profiles then worked on future SRW files but not on future DNG files. Luca's workflow therefore was better and I have now changed my workflow to match his. Thanks Luca.

What I wondered though was how different the profiles created with the different workflows would be, if at all. I like the Samsung DNG converter because prior results to my eye tended to be more vibrant than the flatter Adobe conversions. Would this show up some way in the profile. So since I completed both workflows for Single Illuminant - Sunshine, I did some RGB/CYMK color analysis of both results with the NX1 and 16-50 f/2.0-2.8 S, 50-150 f/2.8 S and 60mm f/2.8 Macro lenses. As the following chart shows, they're pretty close. And both DNG profile and SRW profile remove the slight blue/green cast I dislike from the NX1 (After all these years, I'm still so used to "Canon Color"). The first column of the chart is the Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) JPEG file (I shoot raw+JPEG to create the targets). The second column applies the DNG profile to the raw file with no other changes. The third column applies the SRW profile to the raw file with no other changes. Since each one, DNG or SRW, has its slight strengths and slight weaknesses, the decision is yours. But the workflow for the SRW is so much easier.

As always, anyone who would like the Single Illuminant - Sunshine color profiles for the three lenses (as you can see from the chart, each profile is slightly different depending on the lens), send me a note on the Contact page of my website (link below). I'll return the profiles by e-mail.

And now I have to create new SRW profiles for 150W studio lights to replace my DNG ones.

Ed

Since there's been a huge response to my new .srw Single Illuminant Sunlight profiles, I thought I'd repeat the mini-version of the instructions in the e-mail here:

The new Single Illuminant Sunlight profiles for .srw files are attached. Images in sunlight are where they produce the most accurate results, but can be played with in other light conditions for different effects (but not accuracy of color). New profiles for .srw files shot in different light (tungsten, shade, etc.) will be coming. To use in Adobe LightRoom 5.7, 6, or CC or in Photoshop 5, 6 or CC, these .dcp files must be inserted in: C:/Users/{enter your computer name here}/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/CameraRaw/CameraProfiles on your PC. Restart Photoshop or LightRoom afterward for them to take effect. (Though the profiles should work on a Mac, I don't support Mac, so I do not know the insertion address). I hope you find these profiles useful for obtaining a clean color cast with a bit of Dynamic Range enhancement (highlights held back a bit) as a starter point when editing your .srw files shot in sunlight.

Note that these profiles will NOT work on .dng files as my old profiles did (good news, since the old ones required converting your .srw files to .dng files first.) I am ending development of the .dng Single Illuminant profiles.

Ed

Thank you.

I've enjoyed researching your work and watching your NX1 slideshow.

Thank you again for all of your hard work!

Dear Ed, I just read this post. I just wanted to tell you that I also think that your "older" profiles were a bit "warmer" and vibrant than the new ones. It'd be nice to have the same final results, but being able to use them on .srw files.

Thank you, Bubbleboy, for visiting my website and I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I enjoy the work and sharing it with others, so you're welcome.

Ed

tecnoworld wrote:

Dear Ed, I just read this post. I just wanted to tell you that I also think that your "older" profiles were a bit "warmer" and vibrant than the new ones. It'd be nice to have the same final results, but being able to use them on .srw files.

First Marco, thanks for all your help in being one of my first beta testers on my current NX color profile project. And thanks also for your continued valuable input.

Creating color profiles and sharing them with others always generates discussion. The text book process itself for a color profile has one primary purpose: to get the colors correct in relation to standard color rendition parameters. But when creating them yourself, you can always tweak the results to your own particular taste. And you have noticed it, as have others. As anyone, even without any formal color training can tell from going thru my website, my taste in images tends to be slightly warm and slightly vibrant. And vibrant does not mean saturated. My DNG profiles were built to match my taste. But that doesn't always work for everyone else when sharing. Many people just want to use a profile for its primary purpose, to get the colors "right", and then continue the process thru other tools. You'll notice the wording I've been using with the SRW profiles is "starter sets", meaning the SRW profiles are the beginning of that process.

But you are also right, in that this shouldn't stop me from building separate VisionLight profiles that create my particular "look". If not only to make my post processing easier, but for people like you who appreciate that "look". I will have to add that to the project.

Thanks again my friend for all your help.

Ed

Thank YOU for everything and now also for your precious explanation. I also like vibrant looks, especially for portraits and natural landscapes.

In the hopes of getting some direction. First, I very much appreciate the work that was put into this effort. I am wondering though how I would take the values posted in the charts above and create a usable profile I can open in ACR.

CraigVMN wrote:

In the hopes of getting some direction. First, I very much appreciate the work that was put into this effort. I am wondering though how I would take the values posted in the charts above and create a usable profile I can open in ACR.

I've e-mailed you the original profiles for both sunlight and studio light.