sRGB or AdobeRGB - which and why

[DonSchap]

Ok, by default, most cameras shoot in sRGB ... which may be fine for the web positings, but if you are going for real and wider color in your shots (who isn't) ... you should use a bigger gamut of color to start with, not a limited one. That would be "AdobeRGB."

It should be in your camera selection and just use it, for better, truer images.

I suggest, if you haven't already done so ... in the menus of your digital, select "AdobeRGB" as your default color space under picture styles. It will provide far more colors for your images to matchup with, when shot ... and you can always trim them down, later, if necessary.

Like they often say in Photography: "A picture is worth ... money"

Here's a side-by-side visual comparison as to how much MORE color you get by using AdobeRGB vs sRGB The curve represents all visual light perceived by the human eye. The triangles are what the sensor can see when you set its color space to AdobeRGB or sRGB.

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Definitely better greens, cyans and blues. Why would you want to miss that in your originals? Improve your output and go with AdobeRGB ... and do it now.

In other words, when it comes to color selection ... "Go BIG or stay at home."

[erichlund]

This is really good advice if you shoot RAW, as I do. It gives you the proper starting point for editing photos with the best color palette available. However, if you shoot jpg, and you want to avoid as much post processing as possible, then there are reasons to shoot the other color spaces.

For instance, in Nikon cameras, sRGB has a smaller color gamut, but Nikon balances it differently in two different color Modes, for the type of shooting you will be doing. Shooting people, use Mode I. Shooting landscape, use Mode III. Mode II is only for adobeRGB. If you are only shooting for web display, use sRGB to avoid later conversion.

[TheObiJuan]

I agree with Eric.
When I shoot JPEG only I hate having to convert and lose all that data just so people on the web can see my oranges as I see them and not boring.

Browsers don't recognize the color space, unless something has changed over the years.

[DonSchap]

Conversion back to sRGB is rather simple with Adobe Photoshop CS2/3. I will investigate if Adobe Photoshop Elements will do this, also, but when you restrict your images to a smaller gamut ... you, in effect, lose part of the image and can never have it back.

You can always go to a smaller gamut FROM the original to a copy for posting purposes. The originals are the real treasure.

EDIT: It appears that Adobe Photoshop Elements only has a Color Management Mode via use of the ICC files. It is available under the "Edit" drop down menu, under "Color Settings ..." A "Color Settings" window will open, probably with "No Color Management" selected by default. To use the AdobeRGB gamut you selected in your camera and to get it clearly represented on your print, you should click on the "Full Color Management" selection, which will use the default ICC profile file for your selected printer. Click "OK"

It's not nearly as descriptive as the CS2/CS3 aspects of gamut use, but it should make things look richer in the green, cyan, and blue colors of your future prints.

[erichlund]

I agree with Eric.
When I shoot JPEG only I hate having to convert and lose all that data just so people on the web can see my oranges as I see them and not boring.

Browsers don't recognize the color space, unless something has changed over the years.

Actually, they do. Open a photo in your browser from with adobeRGB set, and open the same photo with sRGB set. You will notice the adobeRGB looks much duller.

I forget all the time to convert photos to sRGB for web deployment. It's not a huge thing, but it does make a difference. If I were on a deadline and shooting for web, I would definitely shoot sRGB and jpg. Since I never find myself in that deplorable situation, I shoot RAW(nef) and adobeRGB.

[fionndruinne]

Already there, Don.:D

I use AdobeRGB 90% of the time. As soon as I saw "saves more color data" in the manual, I went for it.:cool:

[r3g]

Good stuff done.. That option was deep in the menus I never would have thought to change it lol.

[TheWengler]

Good advice. Thank you.

[TheObiJuan]

Actually, they do. Open a photo in your browser from with adobeRGB set, and open the same photo with sRGB set. You will notice the adobeRGB looks much duller.

I forget all the time to convert photos to sRGB for web deployment. It's not a huge thing, but it does make a difference. If I were on a deadline and shooting for web, I would definitely shoot sRGB and jpg. Since I never find myself in that deplorable situation, I shoot RAW(nef) and adobeRGB.

That's what I meant Erich. The photos do not display properly, they lack pop and brightness but in PS they are better looking than sRGB; this is why I keep them in sRGB.

[droopy1592]

What about Adobe Lightroom. How does it display and export AdobeRGB files?