ProPhotoRGB vs. Adobe RGB vs. sRGB...

[Michael Fryd]

Camper there is no extra effort in either space, I use a 16 bit driver and process on an i7 with good amount of ram .... it really make little difference even working with 16 bit files from a 50+ MP camera. However because I stick to a 16 bit workflow and master storage , all in a high gamut profile, I am assured that as the process evolves and monitors and printers improve, I will still have relevant files.

Once you convert to 8 bit, how do you make any last minute edits or changes after seeing output , my files remain at the highest all the way , and as software, my abilities, and styles change so the files are still ready to be rejigged.... many are still in layered format and a sensitive adjustment could remain as an "smart" layer so that every adjustment is variable. I much prefer to go to the horse race when I can change my bet after the race !

Your comment of if only as much care was invested in the creation of the original image.... I applaud, and do find that often the most vocal in theorised knowledge tend to dwell there because they never worked out how to make things work in the other more important areas of the art !

For many people 16 bit workflow is extra effort. File sizes are doubled. This doubles file transfer times, and can double the amount of memory used.

Sure, if you have a high end computer, the extra time may be small, but not everyone has that luxury. If you have extra money in the budget, it may not be a problem to spend twice as much on storage space.

A lot is going to depend on your final product. If you are delivering a print to the client, then you may have complete control of the workflow. On the other hand, if you are delivering a file to the client, they may place constraints on what they want. The client may request an sRGB file. If your final product is going to be an sRGB file, why work in a wider gamut workspace, only to readjust the colors at the last minute? In my opinion, if the goal is to provide an sRGB file, you are better off working in sRGB. That way all of your aesthetic decisions are being made in the final colorspace.

I am also someone who works in layers. I like the flexibility to be able to go back and redo early adjustments without discarding later work.

However, I do know many photographers who have a clear image of what they want. They don't need layers. They commit to their changes and don't look back. It's a different style of editing, and requires a different mindset. It's not how I work, but that doesn't mean it isn't the right workflow for some people. After all, if you know before the race which horse is going to win, there is no need to change your bet after the race.

 

[Waldemar]

Ken60 wrote:..............

Once you convert to 8 bit, how do you make any last minute edits or changes after seeing output........

I make my white balance and color adjustments at the start of my workflow when opening the raw file. I rarely tinker after processing. I do not soft proof and find the exercise close to useless. On rare occasions I print a small proof and may make subsequent adjustments. If the proof falls substantially short of expectations, I would typically start over. My workflow is pretty quick and starting over typically gives much better results than trying to tinker with a previously poorly done post processing attempt.

Jim, aka camperjim
http://www.specialplacesphoto.com

If you use an Epson pro series printer, I recommend to try the "Epson Print Layout" software. It makes printing very easy and basically foolproof, but the best feature is that it automatically shows a softproof, that is amazingly close to the final print.

The difference between what I see on my monitor in the editing software and what I see in the softproof (and the print) are sometimes very small, but sometimes quite striking, especially with color shots. Same with b/w prints using matte paper. Sometimes I have then to adjust the image for a better print result, but the peace of mind (WYSIWYG) is also worth a ton, considering the cost of paper and inks. I never used to softproof before, but now I can´t imagine not to anymore.


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Waldemar

 

[jrkliny]

....If your final product is going to be an sRGB file, why work in a wider gamut workspace, only to readjust the colors at the last minute? In my opinion, if the goal is to provide an sRGB file, you are better off working in sRGB. That way all of your aesthetic decisions are being made in the final colorspace......

Exactly, if you are going to post sRGB fines online or use a printing service that prints from sRGB, then process in sRGB. I do a lot of printing and the color space is close to Adobe RGB so that is what I use. My printer also accepts 8, not 16, bit files so again that is how I process. There seems to be a myth that it is somehow better to use Prophoto and then convert for final use.

 

[jrkliny]

Waldemar wrote:

If you use an Epson pro series printer, I recommend to try the "Epson Print Layout" software. .....

No thanks. I will continue to use Qimage Ultimate. It is all but fool proof and has a lot of advantages. I print from templates so all the printer settings including paper specific settings and ICC profiles are handled automatically. The files are automatically optimized for my printer and even print size specific sharpening is performed automatically.

QU will certainly do soft proofing if needed. I rarely bother unless on rare occasions I am using matte papers which will kill the contrast, dmax and color saturation.