Does “Color Science” even matter?

Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
See this:

 
Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
I believe you and Jim have a different concept of "color science." You did not answer my question about what you mean by "color science," but I assume you mean the initial look in the post-processor (which depends on the post-processor used, profiles, in-camera WB, the camera's firmware, etc.).

Jim probably means science when he talks about "color science."
If we're going to get technical, I consider color science a branch of psychology, and what most people call color science, I'd like people to call color engineering. In that regard, I'm with Jim King of Adobe, who passed out buttons with "I'm a color engineer" written on them at a SPIE conference. I still have mine around somewhere.

But I've lost that battle, and except when I'm being pedantic, I will use color science for both.
 
Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
I believe you and Jim have a different concept of "color science." You did not answer my question about what you mean by "color science," but I assume you mean the initial look in the post-processor (which depends on the post-processor used, profiles, in-camera WB, the camera's firmware, etc.).
Yes, by color science I mean the color science applied in the camera to SOOC jpegs and the initial look in PP without touching any of the processing sliders.
IMHO once you start processing the RAW file the color science of the camera no longer matters
It still matters. But not as much as the raw development.
and I am assuming almost everyone buying into multi-K MF systems does some post processing of colors and in that sense I was asking if in-camera color science even matters (this assumes you are a hobbyist with unlimited time to process the RAWs to your liking)
Jim probably means science when he talks about "color science."
Jim is always talking science and I respect and admire that deeply. IMHO science should be his middle name 😊
 
Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
I believe you and Jim have a different concept of "color science." You did not answer my question about what you mean by "color science," but I assume you mean the initial look in the post-processor (which depends on the post-processor used, profiles, in-camera WB, the camera's firmware, etc.).
Yes, by color science I mean the color science applied in the camera to SOOC jpegs and the initial look in PP without touching any of the processing sliders.
FYI, the tools modify the original data (provided by the camera) when they show you the initial raw (without touching any of the processing sliders). Only JPEG's colors are mainly determined by the camera.
So the in-camera color science only matters for SOOC jpegs?
No, the camera's spectral response matters, too.
Once the RAW is opened in LR/C1the in-camera color science is lost? Sorry I still don’t understand how exactly color science works but this makes me wonder why people rave about Canon or Hasselblad color science?
 
to me it matters a lot how color comes out of camera and raw converter.

for example from x1d/x2d or my Leicas it comes much to my liking without having to spend much time in post processing.

Canon looks fine to me, with Nikon I sometimes struggled with some kind of yellowish tint.
How were you doing white balance?
loan a x2d and shoot some portraits and you know what I mean.
 
I've never seen accurate skin tones from any Sony straight out of the camera, so I'm skeptical.
With Adobe Color Profile, there's not a whole lot of difference in the Caucasian skin tones of Sony, Nikon and Fuji.

 
What is "Color Science?"

My thoughts that may be relevant to your question:

Many photographers are not very proficient in post-processing, especially when modifying colors. The way the colors look initially is important to them.
You mean they use SOOC jpegs?
No, they use raw.
But if they use RAWs they must be processing colors to their liking, right? Unprocessed RAWs look pretty flat and boring.
See my paragraph below. The ability to process the colors to one's liking is very difficult.
If you're serous about color photography, you ought to learn how to do it.
Agreed, the same goes for optimal exposure and other post-processing techniques.
Hence the need for post-processing professionals or presets and film simulations.
Working with HSL, Color Grading, and Calibration sliders to get the expected result is not easy, especially if you do not have the talent for judging colors. Dodge and burn are much easier. Still, very few master that.
 
Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
I believe you and Jim have a different concept of "color science." You did not answer my question about what you mean by "color science," but I assume you mean the initial look in the post-processor (which depends on the post-processor used, profiles, in-camera WB, the camera's firmware, etc.).
Yes, by color science I mean the color science applied in the camera to SOOC jpegs and the initial look in PP without touching any of the processing sliders.
IMHO once you start processing the RAW file the color science of the camera no longer matters
It still matters. But not as much as the raw development.
So would you consider raw development and PP a significant first order effect for determining final color output and in camera color science as a minor second order effect? I am still trying to grasp where color science comes in order of priority when choosing a system.
and I am assuming almost everyone buying into multi-K MF systems does some post processing of colors and in that sense I was asking if in-camera color science even matters (this assumes you are a hobbyist with unlimited time to process the RAWs to your liking)
Jim probably means science when he talks about "color science."
Jim is always talking science and I respect and admire that deeply. IMHO science should be his middle name 😊
--
https://blog.kasson.com
 
What is "Color Science?"

My thoughts that may be relevant to your question:

Many photographers are not very proficient in post-processing, especially when modifying colors. The way the colors look initially is important to them.
You mean they use SOOC jpegs?
No, they use raw.
But if they use RAWs they must be processing colors to their liking, right? Unprocessed RAWs look pretty flat and boring.
See my paragraph below. The ability to process the colors to one's liking is very difficult.
If you're serous about color photography, you ought to learn how to do it.
Agreed, the same goes for optimal exposure and other post-processing techniques.
D'accord.
 
Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
I believe you and Jim have a different concept of "color science." You did not answer my question about what you mean by "color science," but I assume you mean the initial look in the post-processor (which depends on the post-processor used, profiles, in-camera WB, the camera's firmware, etc.).
Yes, by color science I mean the color science applied in the camera to SOOC jpegs and the initial look in PP without touching any of the processing sliders.
IMHO once you start processing the RAW file the color science of the camera no longer matters
It still matters. But not as much as the raw development.
So would you consider raw development and PP a significant first order effect for determining final color output and in camera color science as a minor second order effect? I am still trying to grasp where color science comes in order of priority when choosing a system.
I consider raw development and PP a first order effect for determining final color output and in camera spectral sensitivity as a second order effect. The minor/significant part is situational. It is not necessary or useful -- in my opinion -- to use the term color science in that sentence, although the spectral sensitivities are determined by color engineers.

--
https://blog.kasson.com
 
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Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
I believe you and Jim have a different concept of "color science." You did not answer my question about what you mean by "color science," but I assume you mean the initial look in the post-processor (which depends on the post-processor used, profiles, in-camera WB, the camera's firmware, etc.).
Yes, by color science I mean the color science applied in the camera to SOOC jpegs and the initial look in PP without touching any of the processing sliders.
FYI, the tools modify the original data (provided by the camera) when they show you the initial raw (without touching any of the processing sliders). Only JPEG's colors are mainly determined by the camera.
So the in-camera color science only matters for SOOC jpegs? Once the RAW is opened in LR/C1the in-camera color science is lost? Sorry I still don’t understand how exactly color science works but this makes me wonder why people rave about Canon or Hasselblad color science?
The camera contributes to color science, as do the tools. You may have read that many prefer the colors from Phocus to colors from Adobe, even though the camera (X2D) is the same.

You may have also read that you can equalize the colors and looks across cameras with enough effort. However, it is always better if you can start with good colors.

And finally, few have the skills to "equalize" the colors.
In my book using the term science for the initial look is like using the word genius in Apple stores ;-). However, it is important that we agree on what it means.

To me, this is what color science is about:

https://blog.kasson.com/category/color-science/
IMHO once you start processing the RAW file the color science of the camera no longer matters and I am assuming almost everyone buying into multi-K MF systems does some post processing of colors and in that sense I was asking if in-camera color science even matters (this assumes you are a hobbyist with unlimited time to process the RAWs to your liking)
Jim probably means science when he talks about "color science."
Jim is always talking science and I respect and admire that deeply. IMHO science should be his middle name 😊
 
Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
I believe you and Jim have a different concept of "color science." You did not answer my question about what you mean by "color science," but I assume you mean the initial look in the post-processor (which depends on the post-processor used, profiles, in-camera WB, the camera's firmware, etc.).
Yes, by color science I mean the color science applied in the camera to SOOC jpegs and the initial look in PP without touching any of the processing sliders.
FYI, the tools modify the original data (provided by the camera) when they show you the initial raw (without touching any of the processing sliders). Only JPEG's colors are mainly determined by the camera.
So the in-camera color science only matters for SOOC jpegs? Once the RAW is opened in LR/C1the in-camera color science is lost? Sorry I still don’t understand how exactly color science works but this makes me wonder why people rave about Canon or Hasselblad color science?
The camera contributes to color science, as do the tools. You may have read that many prefer the colors from Phocus to colors from Adobe, even though the camera (X2D) is the same.

You may have also read that you can equalize the colors and looks across cameras with enough effort.
if two cameras were color calibrated and white balanced would the color outputs be close enough that they can be matched with marginal effort?
However, it is always better if you can start with good colors.
Yes, agreed.
And finally, few have the skills to "equalize" the colors.
In my book using the term science for the initial look is like using the word genius in Apple stores ;-). However, it is important that we agree on what it means.

To me, this is what color science is about:

https://blog.kasson.com/category/color-science/
IMHO once you start processing the RAW file the color science of the camera no longer matters and I am assuming almost everyone buying into multi-K MF systems does some post processing of colors and in that sense I was asking if in-camera color science even matters (this assumes you are a hobbyist with unlimited time to process the RAWs to your liking)
Jim probably means science when he talks about "color science."
Jim is always talking science and I respect and admire that deeply. IMHO science should be his middle name 😊
 
Found this interesting video on color science.

https://fstoppers.com/education/wha...hould-it-actually-matter-photographers-298843

I didnt know Sony colors were accurate and that Canon colors were pleasing but inaccurate. I agree with the conclusion that one should choose a camera based on features and the workflow and color science shouldnt be a deciding factor. I would add the quality of glass as a deciding factor as well. After all the lens is the “eye” of the camera and an imperfect eye cant create a perfect vision.

What do you folks think about color science?
I’m for color science, if for no other reason than it got me paid well for 6 years.
Yes, but in todays age of digital cameras and RAW processors would you have chosen color science as a top priority over other aspects of choosing a system?
I believe you and Jim have a different concept of "color science." You did not answer my question about what you mean by "color science," but I assume you mean the initial look in the post-processor (which depends on the post-processor used, profiles, in-camera WB, the camera's firmware, etc.).
Yes, by color science I mean the color science applied in the camera to SOOC jpegs and the initial look in PP without touching any of the processing sliders.
FYI, the tools modify the original data (provided by the camera) when they show you the initial raw (without touching any of the processing sliders). Only JPEG's colors are mainly determined by the camera.
So the in-camera color science only matters for SOOC jpegs? Once the RAW is opened in LR/C1the in-camera color science is lost? Sorry I still don’t understand how exactly color science works but this makes me wonder why people rave about Canon or Hasselblad color science?
The camera contributes to color science, as do the tools. You may have read that many prefer the colors from Phocus to colors from Adobe, even though the camera (X2D) is the same.

You may have also read that you can equalize the colors and looks across cameras with enough effort.
if two cameras were color calibrated and white balanced would the color outputs be close enough that they can be matched with marginal effort?
It is possible, but frankly, I do not know as I never did go to that trouble. It is best to pick a camera with the initial colors that suit you. If you do not like the initial colors, convert it to B&W. Just kidding ;-).

It has been shown that photographs of the same scene in the same light can be calibrated to look the same. I wonder if that process has to be redone for every image where the scene and light are different.

In practice, nobody tunes Sony images to look like Leica's, nor Fuji images to look like Hasselblad's.
However, it is always better if you can start with good colors.
Yes, agreed.
And finally, few have the skills to "equalize" the colors.
In my book using the term science for the initial look is like using the word genius in Apple stores ;-). However, it is important that we agree on what it means.

To me, this is what color science is about:

https://blog.kasson.com/category/color-science/
IMHO once you start processing the RAW file the color science of the camera no longer matters and I am assuming almost everyone buying into multi-K MF systems does some post processing of colors and in that sense I was asking if in-camera color science even matters (this assumes you are a hobbyist with unlimited time to process the RAWs to your liking)
Jim probably means science when he talks about "color science."
Jim is always talking science and I respect and admire that deeply. IMHO science should be his middle name 😊
 
I've never seen accurate skin tones from any Sony straight out of the camera, so I'm skeptical.
With Adobe Color Profile, there's not a whole lot of difference in the Caucasian skin tones of Sony, Nikon and Fuji.

https://blog.kasson.com/nikon-z6-7/z7-a7riii-and-gfx-color-accuracy-with-adobe-profiles/
Yep, Adobe Color is the "great equalizer" if shooting raw. There may be subtle differences but you can use pretty much any brand.

What I'd like know is, what color profile does MacOS use? Seems to me like it might be Adobe Color, but not sure. If I click on a raw file and press the spacebar for a quick look, the embedded jpeg is displayed. If I open in Preview, a color profile is applied and the image looks different. Opening the file simultaneously in Lightroom and applying Adobe Color, then comparing to Preview... very similar.
 
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If we're going to get technical, I consider color science a branch of psychology, and what most people call color science, I'd like people to call color engineering. In that regard, I'm with Jim King of Adobe, who passed out buttons with "I'm a color engineer" written on them at a SPIE conference. I still have mine around somewhere.

But I've lost that battle, and except when I'm being pedantic, I will use color science for both.
After all that has been stated, what if one is colorblind in one of the four ways??? And another thing, what about chromotherapy?
 
to me it matters a lot how color comes out of camera and raw converter.

for example from x1d/x2d or my Leicas it comes much to my liking without having to spend much time in post processing.

Canon looks fine to me, with Nikon I sometimes struggled with some kind of yellowish tint.
How were you doing white balance?
loan a x2d and shoot some portraits and you know what I mean.
I usually use either auto or daylight. Since I allways shoot raw + jpg its easy to adjust wb later in case it doesnt look right. I am not talking about wb differences, more about overall color, given that wb is ok.
 
If we're going to get technical, I consider color science a branch of psychology, and what most people call color science, I'd like people to call color engineering. In that regard, I'm with Jim King of Adobe, who passed out buttons with "I'm a color engineer" written on them at a SPIE conference. I still have mine around somewhere.

But I've lost that battle, and except when I'm being pedantic, I will use color science for both.
After all that has been stated, what if one is colorblind in one of the four ways???
Then color management won't work for you.
And another thing, what about chromotherapy?
That is unrelated to the topic under discussion, I think.
 
to me it matters a lot how color comes out of camera and raw converter.

for example from x1d/x2d or my Leicas it comes much to my liking without having to spend much time in post processing.

Canon looks fine to me, with Nikon I sometimes struggled with some kind of yellowish tint.
How were you doing white balance?
loan a x2d and shoot some portraits and you know what I mean.
I usually use either auto or daylight. Since I allways shoot raw + jpg its easy to adjust wb later in case it doesnt look right. I am not talking about wb differences, more about overall color, given that wb is ok.
How can you have an overall yellowish tint if the WB is right?
 
I've never seen accurate skin tones from any Sony straight out of the camera, so I'm skeptical.
Did you see my examples earlier in this thread? And which Sony?
What?!?!?!? Was it the cameras firmware?? Viewing the same photo taken with a Canon A80 some years ago, the rendering looked way better in M'Soft's photoviewer as opposed to Canon's software. What you view is a function of the software under which you're viewing.
 

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