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Difference between revisions of "Colour Profiles"
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The most likely colour profile to encounter is for displays. As the final element to showcase an image and the reference on most, the display is essential on all scenarios. Unfortunately, due to different technologies and variation in product lineups, few displays from different manufacturers are highly comparable, yet many more will be present and used to evaluate the quality of photo creations. This is the main reason why content creators frequently choose to exaggerate their creations, particularly in colour and contrast, so that they will be able to show reasonably well on different display. | The most likely colour profile to encounter is for displays. As the final element to showcase an image and the reference on most, the display is essential on all scenarios. Unfortunately, due to different technologies and variation in product lineups, few displays from different manufacturers are highly comparable, yet many more will be present and used to evaluate the quality of photo creations. This is the main reason why content creators frequently choose to exaggerate their creations, particularly in colour and contrast, so that they will be able to show reasonably well on different display. | ||
Display colour profiles are used to define how each point in the image is to be represented on the screen and represents a computation that is applied based on the initial information supplied, such as your photo's content. Even in the absence of a colour profile, there is an implicit translation that is applied, ending with reasonable output in all circumstances. Of course, absent any particular support from the display manufacturer, this is the most likely result. However, most manufacturers ensure that computers, as they are used for editing images, are supplied with improved abilities to maintain consistency. This is the reason that displays are supplied with colour profiles which are by default installed and activated on computers nowadays, no matter if you use Windows, MacOS or even some Linux distributions. | Display colour profiles are used to define how each point in the image is to be represented on the screen and represents a computation that is applied based on the initial information supplied, such as your photo's content. Even in the absence of a colour profile, there is an implicit translation that is applied, ending with reasonable output in all circumstances. Of course, absent any particular support from the display manufacturer, this is the most likely result. However, most manufacturers ensure that computers, as they are used for editing images, are supplied with improved abilities to maintain consistency. This is the reason that displays are supplied with colour profiles which are by default installed and activated on computers nowadays, no matter if you use Windows, MacOS or even some Linux distributions. | ||
<code>''All displays conform to at least a minimum colour profile, such as sRGB, the standard that is central to the PC and web development for a long time. Note that conformation does not translate into the accuracy that you may expect and this is the flaw that you may spot most frequently, such as colours not looking right, in spite of any configuration.''<code> | |||
sRGB | sRGB | ||
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An important fact to remember is that any colour profile presented below is larger or wider than sRGB, but fewer displays may be certified to reach such a good performance. Nowadays, some display manufacturers may not mention that they certify their products for the sRGB profile, but they are certainly respecting established guidelines. This is the main reason why, despite all technological advances, sRGB is still relevant or the basic standard that you should always aim for, unless specific requirements are imposed. | An important fact to remember is that any colour profile presented below is larger or wider than sRGB, but fewer displays may be certified to reach such a good performance. Nowadays, some display manufacturers may not mention that they certify their products for the sRGB profile, but they are certainly respecting established guidelines. This is the main reason why, despite all technological advances, sRGB is still relevant or the basic standard that you should always aim for, unless specific requirements are imposed. | ||
<code>''The sRGB profile is a minimum standard that is always respected. Results may not be satisfactory in how it is implemented and, unfortunately, no display on turn-on can display images with good accuracy, as there are many settings that are wrongly made to reach what the manufacturer thought as being desirable to the public''</code> | |||
Colour temperature | |||
All colour profiles specify a colour temperature. The notion is centered around the concept of an ideal black-body or thermal radiator radiating light at a specific temperatures, with the lower temperature casting an orange glow while the higher ones showing a blue or violet appearance. In practical terms, this approximation is used to express how yellow or blue white objects look when under this light. The appearance of colour objects is also shifted towards a yellow or blue appearance. The most common colour temperature is 6500 Kelvin, which is described as Daylight, and abbreviated D65. Warmer appearances such as warm white can be reached at around 3000Kelvin while cold appearances are reached over 7000 Kelvin colour temperature. Modern LED light sources can easily create these conditions indoors, as required, and some light sources can even generated custom white light tints or colour light, which does not conform to this white light and colour temperature standard. | |||
Colour temperature is important as artificial light and natural light behave in completely different ways. Natural light colour temperature varies throughout the day, being "warmer" at sunset and sunrise, colder at midday and relatively balanced in the rest of the time. Note that the presence of clouds, fog or clear sky also alters the colour temperature, clouds and fog making the colour temperature rise while a clear sky lowers slightly the colour temperature. | |||
You may wonder why colour temperature is important. The reason is very simple: ideally, you should be able to see your image in the same condition it was taken in, and edit it while you experience the same conditions. Our eyes adapt well to different conditions while cameras, displays and any device does not do so by default or does not act as seamlessly. It is obvious that this is not possible to fully reproduce. In most circumstances, you have to consider a typical editing and image viewing condition that considers a daylight setting, at a colour temperature of around 65000 Kelvin. This means that your display must not be overly dim, have altered colour saturation or major distortions that influence the end results. For a good measure the picture has to be still visible and look reasonably well in intense and dim light situations. | |||
<code>''The 6500 Kelvin colour temperature is a standard that has to be remembered, a reference for your creations. While many devices may not have, be configured for or allow such conditions, it is expected that in places that matter, such as exhibitions, on professional equipment, you have to be experienced in reaching it.''<code> | |||
Adobe RGB and other standards | Adobe RGB and other standards | ||
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The above mention is extremely important as you do not have an out of box, simplified experience of accurate colour display even if you invested in costly or high specification equipment. You still need to adjust it to more accurately represent its capabilities. Keep in mind that this is the only way to achieve very good results and what matters is that you have a product that can reach the desired specifications instead of a cheaper one that will never be able to and offer more frustration when expected to behave accurately. | The above mention is extremely important as you do not have an out of box, simplified experience of accurate colour display even if you invested in costly or high specification equipment. You still need to adjust it to more accurately represent its capabilities. Keep in mind that this is the only way to achieve very good results and what matters is that you have a product that can reach the desired specifications instead of a cheaper one that will never be able to and offer more frustration when expected to behave accurately. | ||
<code>''DCI-P3 standard conformance on displays and specialized equipment is a good indication of high accuracy. While professional equipment is delivered with standard settings, consumer one has to frequently be reconfigured by disabling various features that alter the image to be more appealing to the public, but both can reach similar results.''</code> | |||
HDR | HDR | ||
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A new colour profile can be created, if required, by pressing the "Calibrate..." button. A couple of dialogues will appear that allow changing settings to adjust the colour profile of your display to your preferences. It is advisable to look for more information before adjusting the profile, as some settings may severely affect the accuracy of the image shown on the display more than a less suited default colour profile. These settings will be applied to all applications running on the computer, including video players and games which means it is important to understand their purpose. | A new colour profile can be created, if required, by pressing the "Calibrate..." button. A couple of dialogues will appear that allow changing settings to adjust the colour profile of your display to your preferences. It is advisable to look for more information before adjusting the profile, as some settings may severely affect the accuracy of the image shown on the display more than a less suited default colour profile. These settings will be applied to all applications running on the computer, including video players and games which means it is important to understand their purpose. | ||
<code>''The out of box or standard user experience on an Apple Mac and other Apple devices is more consistent as the user has nothing else to do but just use the equipment and it is already well-enough configured. Windows or other operating system users have to extensively configure their system to reach same results but the potential is similar.''</code> | |||
Graphics and Image Editors | Graphics and Image Editors | ||
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In many ways, Krita is an extremely popular image editor, the best open-source software for creative photo editing. It is much easier to use than GIMP, free compared with the traditional software for Image Editing, and it is available both for Windows and Linux. While not offering the same capabilities and extensions or plugins as Adobe Photoshop, the most versatile image editor, Krita fares favourably well for more experienced users, while it may be somewhat more difficult to work with for first users. However, ease of use depends on features and Krita frequently makes learning about such capabilities worthwhile. It is also possible to use Krita for basic image editing as well. | In many ways, Krita is an extremely popular image editor, the best open-source software for creative photo editing. It is much easier to use than GIMP, free compared with the traditional software for Image Editing, and it is available both for Windows and Linux. While not offering the same capabilities and extensions or plugins as Adobe Photoshop, the most versatile image editor, Krita fares favourably well for more experienced users, while it may be somewhat more difficult to work with for first users. However, ease of use depends on features and Krita frequently makes learning about such capabilities worthwhile. It is also possible to use Krita for basic image editing as well. | ||
<code>''Krita is, perhaps, the most versatile open-source, free image editing application you will encounter. While not as feature full as commercial software, getting familiar with Krita is simple and learned techniques will be valuable on any software.''</code> | |||
GIMP | GIMP | ||
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One of the features that is applied thoroughly in Adobe Photoshop, regardless of the operating system, is the ability to simulate particular colour profiles, on the fly. Such a feature is useful to determine how certain images may end up looking when printed. For instance, in the typical CMYK colour gamut of a printer, the image may look totally different from the perfectly fine and vivid in sRGB, as the colour profile used by all displays. | One of the features that is applied thoroughly in Adobe Photoshop, regardless of the operating system, is the ability to simulate particular colour profiles, on the fly. Such a feature is useful to determine how certain images may end up looking when printed. For instance, in the typical CMYK colour gamut of a printer, the image may look totally different from the perfectly fine and vivid in sRGB, as the colour profile used by all displays. | ||
<code>''Adobe Photoshop is a highly expensive commercial image editor. As it is used by professionals for decades, there is extensive documentation and tutorials to achieve just about any result. However, most editing can be done reasonably well by ambitious users in software such as Krita, that is free of charge.''</code> | |||
Web browser | Web browser | ||
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The required settings can be carefully applied in each application, following the guidelines below. Special care is required to modify only the required parameters. | The required settings can be carefully applied in each application, following the guidelines below. Special care is required to modify only the required parameters. | ||
<code>''While not obvious, web browsers, particularly on personal computers and laptops, are extremely complex programs that are poorly optimised out of the box to handle colour information well. While they operate decently in most circumstances, configuration is required for best results.''</code> | |||
Mozilla Firefox | Mozilla Firefox | ||