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Workflow (Nikon RAW, Photoshop CS2, Canon, ColorVision)

Workflow (Nikon RAW, Photoshop CS2, Canon, ColorVision)

2006-12-08 by colorolf

Hi

I would like to discuss the best workflow for color management on a 
step by step basis. May I start with a proposal?!

I am working with
- Nikon Capture (or any RAW-converter)
- Photoshop CS2
- ColorVision Spyder2Pro
- ColorVision PrintFixPro
- Canon iP8500
- Nikon D2x

Step 1
Color calibration of the computer screen with ColorVision Spyder2Pro; 
ADOBE gamma deactivated in the start-up menu (Windows XP); Result: 
Screen shows colors perfectly calibrated

Step 2
Define color space of the fotographs to be taken (Adobe RGB); shoot 
RAW.

Step 3
Transfer fotographs from the camera to the computer; verify that 
information of the selected colorprofile (step 2) remains unchanged.

Step 4 (based on Nikon Capture)
Make the basic picture adjustements (like white balance); Optional: 
Change colorspace; Save final files as jpeg (within the preferred 
colorspace).

Step 5
Calibrate your printer/paper-combination with PrintFixPro;

Step 6
Open jepg-files (step 4) in Photoshop CS2; make the final 
adjustements.

Step 7 
(1) In Photoshop, define the printer profile from step 5 to the 
picture to view it on screen in the colors of the printer output.

(2) Make the final adjustements.

(3) Print by letting Photoshop determine the color management of the 
printer and choose again the printer profile (step 5) as the relevant 
color management.

(4) Verify that the Canon software chooses not automatically a 
default color profile (manuell / deactivated Canon-ICM-profiles of 
the printer)

(5) Print

I think most of you will agree on step 1 to 6.
As far as I can see, step 7 makes us most of the problems. Is this  
workflow really the "king's road"? I am asking that because there are 
many ways to create systematic errors – and I am still not convinced 
by the results I am getting by this procedure.

Kind regards
Rolf

Re: [colorvision_group] Workflow (Nikon RAW, Photoshop CS2, Canon, ColorVision)

2006-12-08 by CDTobie@aol.com


In a message dated 12/8/06 5:26:15 AM, colorolf@... writes:


Hi

I would like to discuss the best workflow for color management on a
step by step basis. May I start with a proposal?!


Okay...

I am working with
- Nikon Capture (or any RAW-converter)
- Photoshop CS2
- ColorVision Spyder2Pro
- ColorVision PrintFixPro
- Canon iP8500
- Nikon D2x


All sound reasonable, as long as you aren't printing B&W images for show or sale...

Step 1
Color calibration of the computer screen with ColorVision Spyder2Pro;
ADOBE gamma deactivated in the start-up menu (Windows XP); Result:
Screen shows colors perfectly calibrated


Okay...

Step 2
Define color space of the fotographs to be taken (Adobe RGB); shoot
RAW.


Good good choices...

Step 3
Transfer fotographs from the camera to the computer; verify that
information of the selected colorprofile (step 2) remains unchanged.


Okay...

Step 4 (based on Nikon Capture)
Make the basic picture adjustements (like white balance); Optional:
Change colorspace; Save final files as jpeg (within the preferred
colorspace).


Sad choice to limit to low bit jepgs at this point; any further changes will require rejpegging, which lowers quality even further. I'd save High Bit Tiffs, and live with the space costs...

Step 5
Calibrate your printer/paper-combination with PrintFixPro;


Right...

Step 6
Open jepg-files (step 4) in Photoshop CS2; make the final
adjustements.


See above

Step 7
(1) In Photoshop, define the printer profile from step 5 to the
picture to view it on screen in the colors of the printer output.


Soft Proof using Photoshop's Custom Proof Setup, Yes...

(2) Make the final adjustements.


Further adjustments to a Jpeg... such a waste!

(3) Print by letting Photoshop determine the color management of the
printer and choose again the printer profile (step 5) as the relevant
color management.


Correct...

(4) Verify that the Canon software chooses not automatically a
default color profile (manuell / deactivated Canon-ICM-profiles of
the printer)


This isn't the normal way to print without driver color management. Usually there is a setting called "no color adjustment" or "ICM > None" that is used for this purpose. Just deactivating the default profiles is not the same as turning of color adjustment in the driver...

(5) Print

I think most of you will agree on step 1 to 6.


Other than the Jpeg choice, yes...

As far as I can see, step 7 makes us most of the problems.

Only if you do it wrong, or have a printer that makes it difficult...

Is this
workflow really the "king's road"? I am asking that because there are
many ways to create systematic errors – and I am still not convinced
by the results I am getting by this procedure.


I'm not convinced that your proceedure is even correct...


By the way, great workflow analysis! Not many people are willing to take the time to present a full case, with most of the info already in place in their first post.


C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@...

www.colorvision.com

Re: Workflow (Nikon RAW, Photoshop CS2, Canon, ColorVision)

2006-12-11 by colorolf

Dear David

Thank you very much for your support and comments.

First of all, I shall change now my workflow towards Tiff's (as I 
would get an even worser result on the jpeg-route since I use Neat 
Image as well sometimes).

Second, I shall try to find the correct printer setting to print 
without driver color management. With this printer, it is - at least 
for me - not the easiest thing to do. I think now that there is the 
rub...

With kind regards
Rolf


--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, CDTobie@... wrote:
>
> 
> In a message dated 12/8/06 5:26:15 AM, colorolf@... writes:
> 
> 
> > Hi
> > 
> > I would like to discuss the best workflow for color management on 
a
> > step by step basis. May I start with a proposal?!
> > 
> Okay...
> > 
> > I am working with
> > - Nikon Capture (or any RAW-converter)
> > - Photoshop CS2
> > - ColorVision Spyder2Pro
> > - ColorVision PrintFixPro
> > - Canon iP8500
> > - Nikon D2x
> > 
> All sound reasonable, as long as you aren't printing B&W images for 
show or 
> sale...
> > 
> > Step 1
> > Color calibration of the computer screen with ColorVision 
Spyder2Pro;
> > ADOBE gamma deactivated in the start-up menu (Windows XP); Result:
> > Screen shows colors perfectly calibrated
> > 
> Okay...
> > 
> > Step 2
> > Define color space of the fotographs to be taken (Adobe RGB); 
shoot
> > RAW.
> > 
> Good good choices...
> > 
> > Step 3
> > Transfer fotographs from the camera to the computer; verify that
> > information of the selected colorprofile (step 2) remains 
unchanged.
> > 
> Okay...
> > 
> > Step 4 (based on Nikon Capture)
> > Make the basic picture adjustements (like white balance); 
Optional:
> > Change colorspace; Save final files as jpeg (within the preferred
> > colorspace).
> > 
> Sad choice to limit to low bit jepgs at this point; any further 
changes will 
> require rejpegging, which lowers quality even further. I'd save 
High Bit 
> Tiffs, and live with the space costs...
> > 
> > Step 5
> > Calibrate your printer/paper-combination with PrintFixPro;
> > 
> Right...
> > 
> > Step 6
> > Open jepg-files (step 4) in Photoshop CS2; make the final
> > adjustements.
> > 
> See above <G>...
> > 
> > Step 7
> > (1) In Photoshop, define the printer profile from step 5 to the
> > picture to view it on screen in the colors of the printer output.
> > 
> Soft Proof using Photoshop's Custom Proof Setup, Yes...
> > 
> > (2) Make the final adjustements.
> > 
> Further adjustments to a Jpeg... such a waste!
> > 
> > (3) Print by letting Photoshop determine the color management of 
the
> > printer and choose again the printer profile (step 5) as the 
relevant
> > color management.
> > 
> Correct...
> > 
> > (4) Verify that the Canon software chooses not automatically a
> > default color profile (manuell / deactivated Canon-ICM-profiles of
> > the printer)
> > 
> This isn't the normal way to print without driver color management. 
Usually 
> there is a setting called "no color adjustment" or "ICM > None" 
that is used 
> for this purpose. Just deactivating the default profiles is not the 
same as 
> turning of color adjustment in the driver...
> > 
> > (5) Print
> > 
> > I think most of you will agree on step 1 to 6.
> > 
> Other than the Jpeg choice, yes...
> 
> > As far as I can see, step 7 makes us most of the problems. 
> > 
> Only if you do it wrong, or have a printer that makes it 
difficult...
> 
> > Is this 
> > workflow really the "king's road"? I am asking that because there 
are
> > many ways to create systematic errors â€" and I am still not 
convinced
> > by the results I am getting by this procedure.
> > 
> I'm not convinced that your proceedure is even correct...
> 
> By the way, great workflow analysis! Not many people are willing to 
take the 
> time to present a full case, with most of the info already in place 
in their 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> first post.
> 
> 
> C. David Tobie
> Product Technology Manager
> ColorVision Business Unit
> Datacolor Inc.
> CDTobie@...
> www.colorvision.com
>

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