TIFF setting questions

[Sgt_Strider]

What should my TIFF settings be to retain the most quality when I export a file from LR as a TIFF? Does it matter which compression method to use?

Right now I'm using 16 bits/component for bit depth and LZW for compression. Should I still use sRGB because I plan on uploading it to the web, where almost all pictures uses sRGB, and for saving as a master file for further edits in the future?

 

[Kiwigeoff]

I wouldn't use sRGB if you want to do edits later on, you are reducing the colour gamut available.
Now when you want to put image on the web, why not just export jpegs direct from LR and discard them once uploaded - at that point you select to export them at the size that works for you and in sRGB.

 

[Sgt_Strider]

What if I want to do noise reduction with it? LR doesn't work with plugins like noise ninja.

What are your recommended TIFF settings then?

 

[Kiwigeoff]

I've always used LZW compression.

 

[Sgt_Strider]

Are the rest of my settings ok?

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Yep 16bit is ok but I would use a wider colour space than sRGB for the TIFFs then use sRGB for the jpegs only.

 

[Sgt_Strider]

Ok, so which one is better? Adobe RGB or Prophoto RGB?

 

[Sid-EOS]

16 bit Prophoto RGB is the best choice to preserve color details in LR.

Take a look at the [preferences - external editing] page in LR 2.2, you get a description of the options as you change them.

Output files [export dialog]:
Adobe RGB is technically the better choice for jpeg i.e. your converted images, it incorporates more colours, giving finer gradients than sRGB.

But if your final image is for use on the Web use sRGB.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

So in summary, use 16-bit, ProPhotoRGB Tiff for any retouching work, and then you've got a highest quality version in case you want to do anything else with it later.

When you're ready to put the files on the web, export that Tiff as a low res sRGB jpeg file, which you could always throw away once you've uploaded.