I'm trying to figure out the best way to process/display web images and ever since getting a wide gamut monitor and not knowing how bad Internet Explorer is at color management, then finding Firefox I have been mulling the issue over in my head. The two main issues were how the browsers manage color and how the better graphics monitors see color (and how to set them up best for web). After the idea posted by Stan "the man" Rose, where he said a few things including:
"IMO, if you are trying to optimize it for web viewing, you should try to present it so it looks best on the type of monitor most people are going to view it on"
This clicked with me.
I always do my web images as separate "test runs" for my prints anyways (the fine art gallery prints being priority #1) so...
I am now doing this:
Calibrate my monitor twice. Once in the regular/narrow gamut/SRGB mode (for the web work) and then once in the wide gamut/Adobe RGB mode for the prints.
When doing the web images I am now simply processing them in SRGB from the get go. This is a huge change for me. It makes sense to me now to process them in the space that they are going to be and stay in...
When I process the web images I also keep my monitor in the narrower/regular space (not wide gamut). Also, when I view other photos on this forum (or other forums) I am now keeping my monitor in the regular/normal space/SRGB (and calibrated).
Also, I am now sold on Firefox.
BTW, I tried out this new web workflow/viewing method today and for the first in a while I saw NO notable difference between Internet Explorer and Firefox. Previously it had been radical!
The PRINTS, on the other hand, will always be developed with the wide gamut monitor mode (Adobe RGB) and special careful calibration compensating for the luminosity differences between prints vs displays...
So the break down:
Process web images in SRGB 16 bit out of raw. Stay in SRGB in PS. Finish by embedding SRGB into the Jpeg (so that color managed browsers render them correctly).
When processing these SRGB web images DON'T have your monitor in a wide gamut mode. Always calibrate well.
Still use Firefox or another well color managed browser like Safari.
Any and all feedback or comments is gladly welcomed.
Mark, I think you've hit on a great plan here. I might add a second monitor if I set up this way: a $79 cheapo LCD from WalMart set at 1024x768, uncalibrated. Might as well see it the way many folks will too.
Thanks Paul. That brings up another great idea. Just have two side by side of the same quality monitor, one in narrow gamut calibrated for web, the other in wide gamut calibrated for print. That way you don't have to flip back and forth in the profiles or do excessive calibration...
Posted by Paul DeCesare on July 22, 2011 at 12:35 PM
"Honey, I need two 30" Apple Cinema displays... it's really important."
Sure, Mark, that'll work. I do all my serious work on a PC that isnt even connected to the internet, and my web work on a laptop thats only minimally calibrated. Occasionally Ill check everything out on a variety of monitors (work,library etc) just to make sure nothing is awry. Im glad you brought these issues to the forefront cause i think color management is something we all struggle with.
So the breakdown again in case people don't have the patience to read all the above:
Process WEB images in SRGB 16 bit right out of raw. Stay in SRGB in PS. Finish by embedding SRGB into the Jpeg (so that well color managed browsers render them correctly).
When processing these SRGB web images DON'T have your monitor in a WIDE GAMUT mode. Always calibrate well!
Still use Firefox or another well color managed browser like Safari.
I am thinking this as as good as it gets for web ("shooting for the middle of a very wide barn door" as Bruce Fraser put it) then let the chips fall where they may as the images go out to the public.
Discussion
5 repliesI'm trying to figure out the best way to process/display web images and ever since getting a wide gamut monitor and not knowing how bad Internet Explorer is at color management, then finding Firefox I have been mulling the issue over in my head. The two main issues were how the browsers manage color and how the better graphics monitors see color (and how to set them up best for web). After the idea posted by Stan "the man"
"IMO, if you are trying to optimize it for web viewing, you should try to present it so it looks best on the type of monitor most people are going to view it on"
This clicked with me.
I always do my web images as separate "test runs" for my prints anyways (the fine art gallery prints being priority #1) so...
I am now doing this:
Calibrate my monitor twice. Once in the regular/narrow gamut/SRGB mode (for the web work) and then once in the wide gamut/Adobe RGB mode for the prints.
When doing the web images I am now simply processing them in SRGB from the get go. This is a huge change for me. It makes sense to me now to process them in the space that they are going to be and stay in...
When I process the web images I also keep my monitor in the narrower/regular space (not wide gamut). Also, when I view other photos on this forum (or other forums) I am now keeping my monitor in the regular/normal space/SRGB (and calibrated).
Also, I am now sold on Firefox.
BTW, I tried out this new web workflow/viewing method today and for the first in a while I saw NO notable difference between Internet Explorer and Firefox. Previously it had been radical!
The PRINTS, on the other hand, will always be developed with the wide gamut monitor mode (Adobe RGB) and special careful calibration compensating for the luminosity differences between prints vs displays...
So the break down:
Process web images in SRGB 16 bit out of raw. Stay in SRGB in PS. Finish by embedding SRGB into the Jpeg (so that color managed browsers render them correctly).
When processing these SRGB web images DON'T have your monitor in a wide gamut mode. Always calibrate well.
Still use Firefox or another well color managed browser like Safari.
Any and all feedback or comments is gladly welcomed.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing!
Process WEB images in SRGB 16 bit right out of raw. Stay in SRGB in PS. Finish by embedding SRGB into the Jpeg (so that well color managed browsers render them correctly).
When processing these SRGB web images DON'T have your monitor in a WIDE GAMUT mode. Always calibrate well!
Still use Firefox or another well color managed browser like Safari.
I am thinking this as as good as it gets for web ("shooting for the middle of a very wide barn door" as Bruce Fraser put it) then let the chips fall where they may as the images go out to the public.