Minimalist Dabchick - colour issues again

1D Mk iv, 600mm x 1.4, 1/800s, f5.6, iso 200

With that lens combination, it won't be a surprise that I tend to favour big in frame. However, conditions were ideal on this occasion with flat water and low sun illuminating the reeds. The birds kept there distance and I liked the resulting overall picture. I used manual focus as I find the peripheral sensors much less accurate than the central one, especially when the lens is at water level. Honest opinions appreciated.

ps. I've no idea what I am doing wrong, but the colours again on the small version are totally wrong, whereas the larger version is more like it. I am the only one to have this problem? If so, I'll need to look again at my workflow. Monitor is newly calibrated too!

Nice shot, Ian, especially on the larger version. You are not the only one to notice differences in colours between small and large versions. If you look at my recent sanderling posting you will see the same thing. The small version looked a bit blue, whereas several comments said the large version was fine, yet the small version was simply the large one reduced in size and with no other alterations. I wonder if it is simply our perceptions of colour varying at different sizes.

David

Hi David

Thanks for the comment

I wonder if it is simply our perceptions of colour varying at different sizes.

I don't think so, because I am comparing them side by side on screen and the small one has a copper appearance, whereas the original has a warm gold tone. Maybe a glitch in the website software? Certainly haven't had the problem before.

I think it is the fact that the smaller versions can't show the full range of colour due to resolution and compression. When you think about it they have to squeeze more ito a small space ( Thats technical !!) As I,ve said before it wouldn't worry me if they removerd the small version option anyway
This to me is the best of the whole pool series so far. Just my opinion others will think differently no doubt.
Cheers
JR

Nothing to do with size, compression or the forum software guys, it's simply down to the way you've saved the images.

When I check your two images in Photoshop it looks like you have saved the smaller image without any colour profile embedded in it, while the larger would appear to be saved in the Adobe RGB colour space.

- Colour aware browsers (such as Safari) will handle that by using some 'generic srgb' colour profile for the unassigned one, and by showing the big one correctly.
- Colour unaware browsers (usually Internet Explorer!) will just assume a generic sRGB profile for both and won't show either image correctly.

So to get it right, when you save the images make sure you convert them both to sRGB first and that you embed the colour profile when you save them. If you're using Photoshop's 'Save for Web' then make sure you've ticked the 'Convert to sRGB' box, if you're just using 'Save As' then you'll need to convert to sRGB first (Edit->Convert to Profile and pick sRGB as the destination) and then make sure you check the 'Embed Color profile' box on the save dialog box. If you're using Lightroom or some other program, then check the export settings - it'll be in there somewhere!

- That way, colour aware browsers know what the colours are and show them as you see them.
- Browsers that don't handle colour profiles simply show their best approximation (which is usually somewhere within the sRGB colour space).

large is a cracker, i too have had colour issues and i am converting to srgb for all jpegs ...

I love long lens landscapes and that large version is an absolute beauty

I have also noticed that the outer points on the MKIV are less accurate than the centre point when using my 500f4. Less of an issue with the 3002.8 & 70/200f4. Maybe a 1DX will cure it

Bob

Let's see if I've sorted it...


Nope! and it's sRGB.

And again..

Nope - it's beyond me and I've been posting for years

Ian...

First off love the image... works very well.

At the moment I am viewing on a very stringently calibrated and profiled iMac using Safari and I can see the difference in your original post due to the different profiles as Nick has explained. the last image posted however matches the large version...

I will have to look tomorrow on my system at work...(2 high end Eizo's one of them checked on a weekly basis) will let you know...

Neither of the last two versions has an embedded colour profile in them. They may be sRGB, but the web browser/photoshop can't tell from the file.

So we can help you a bit more...

1) What software are you using to process & save the images?
2) What steps are you taking in 1) to actually save the image?

A few NPN articles that might help...
Matt Hagadorn on Image Output for the web
Darwin Wiggett has an article on using Elements here
Tim Grey on Color Management here

Hi Nick

I use cs4, file>save as>jpeg, ticking the embed profile box. I've tried again - could be a glitch in my system.

Still off! Although my computer says it is embedding the profile (sRGB) it appears not to be.

Update - am I going mad, I've just received a second email, allegedly from me, containing the comment written from PhilH, which I received earlier.

Try using the save for web option instead and see if that makes any difference. When you've saved it, re-open the newely saved file and check the profile via 'Edit->Convert to profile' If it worked (should say sRGB), then try uploading it and reposting it.

By the way, check Tim's article (referenced above) on color management as he gives some good 'working space' defaults to set up.

Last try before bed!

No better. Definitely says profile is sRGB. I'll give up for now.

Sent you a message. I've also run the above image through Photoshop and set it's profile to sRGB then attached it below as a check....

Are you converting to sRGB before using 'save as'? It should then work with the ICC profile box checked...

Phil

Are you converting to sRGB and 8bit?

Solved!!