Color Management Questions

[caren]

Hi, I am trying to set up an account with whcc.com to use their online printing services. I do not have photoshop so I am wondering how to do color management in LR2 to get my files ready for whcc to print. Their instructions for preparing files via photoshop are:

"1. Open Photoshop
* Mac OS X Users
* Go to Photoshop in the Menu Bar > Color Settings
* Windows Users
* Go to Edit in the Menu Bar > Color Settings
2. Select a Working Space for RGB Files. You should select either sRGB IEC61966-2.1 or Adobe RGB (1998). If you are unsure, you probably want sRGB IEC61966-2.1.
3. Select “Convert to Working RGB” next to RGB under Color Management Policies.
4. Check “Ask When Opening and Ask When Pasting” next to Profile Mismatches

Whenever you open a file that is saved and tagged in a color space other than your working space, Photoshop will prompt you to convert to the working color space. If you would rather have Photoshop do this automatically for every file, you can uncheck the “Ask When Opening” box next to Missing Profiles. Photoshop will then assume every file not tagged with a color space is in your working space.

When you save your JPEGs out of Photoshop, make sure to check the “Embed Color Profile” checkbox in the Save dialog box. Without this checked, we do not know the colorspace of your files, and you will have unpredictable color in your prints."

Can I do this in LR? If so, can someone point me to where the color settings reside? I am totally new to LR.

Thanks!

 

[Brad Snyder]

caren, welcome to the forums.

For this purpose, you would choose 'sRGB' as the Color Space, under the File Settings panel in the Export Dialog. Lr will take care of the space conversion and profile embedding automatically.

If you're not under a deadline, I'd try just a few test prints, to get your feet wet, and make sure the process meets your needs. While this should get you going, there's a good deal more to color management in Lr and digital photography in general. We'll be here, if you have further questions.

 

[caren]

Thanks for the help Brad. I am not under a deadline, just giving myself a chance to get familiar with Lr and get some test prints made. I'll be back with more questions later, I'm sure. Appreciate that you all are here!

Caren

 

[Bruce J]

It appears to me as if your printer is using the embedded profile in the image and can handle either sRBG or Adobe RGB (1998), so I would try sending them a photo w/ Adobe RGB selected in the export dialog instead of the sRGB that Brad suggested. Perhaps send the same image twice, one w/ sRGB selected and one w/ Adobe RGB just to see if you can see any difference. The Adobe RGB should show a wider color gamut, if the printer can show it. Experiment and enjoy. Cheers,

 

[Brad Snyder]

Good point, Bruce. It's possible WHCC can do more with AdobeRGB. I'd be interested in the result.

 

[caren]

thanks, Bruce. Before setting up an account, I can send up to five files to whcc, which they will print and send to me for free. So I may try both to see what the difference looks like. Not only am I new to Lr, I have to admit I am new to using online printing services so it's a bit daunting, but I'll get through it and laugh about it later.

 

[RikkFlohr]

Make sure you give them distinct names that help you ID the color space used. I did that once and called the WHCC Test 1,2,3, etc. without keeping track of what I'd done to the photos. That was in the pre-LR days.

 

[Brad Snyder]

LOL, I know I've done that too. Try to make sure you can absolutely tell the images apart, or if they get mixed up in the print envelope, you'll be back to square one. Some shops print the file name on the back, but not all.

 

[Bruce J]

[quote author=caren link=topic=87'1.msg5868'#msg5868' date=1261594935]
thanks, Bruce. Before setting up an account, I can send up to five files to whcc, which they will print and send to me for free. So I may try both to see what the difference looks like. Not only am I new to Lr, I have to admit I am new to using online printing services so it's a bit daunting, but I'll get through it and laugh about it later.
[/quote]

I like your attitude! Do let us know how it turns out. Cheers,