Color Space Question

I received this email question from Mike, a student in my last Lightroom class:  "Would it be better to use the Adobe color setting on the camera vs. the SRGB setting if everything is processed thru Lightroom?

Mike"

My reply:

Adobe LR and PS can handle each color setting equally well, from what I understand about it. Adobe 1998 and ProPhoto settings actually have the ability to show more colors or a wider range of colors than sRGB but I've never been able to tell the difference between the setting in any of my pictures though.

From what I have read, most of the top-notch pros use the ProPhoto setting although my Canon cameras don't have it available as an option.

I think the most important thing is to have the camera and all software settings the same. Every time you change the color space you may lose some information.

The problem I've had with Lightroom and less with Photoshop is that my prints tend to run darker than my monitor shows them. I do have a calibrated monitor so I'm reasonable sure that it is correct. I have to do some test prints, usually in 4x6 before I attempt to print any large prints.

In experimenting to address this issue, I tried all of the color space settings and nothing helped. I have read books by different experts, particularly Scott Kelby, who I feel may be the best writer on the LR and PS topics. His advice is to set the print settings in the software and in the printer dialog box to call for the Application Managing the color. I never had success with this. I experimneted with every option and combination I could find and now I use the Printer Manages Color setting and have good luck with it. For information, I have an HPb 9180e model printer. Other models or brands may require different settings.

Bottom line, I think Adobe products are adept at handling each Color Space option. Just be aware of the differences in color ranges between the options.

Thanks for the question, I hope this helps.

Don't do what I did!

Newer Canon cameras have the option of taking a picture without a memory card in the camera.  This is a selectable option which I had foolishly set to allow. 

I had a recent opportunity to shoot some portraits but I failed to put the memory card into the slot!  Now, let me tell you that my standard practice is to upload all images to my computer, unusally the same day I shoot them.  I then put the card(s) back into the camera and re-format them.  I then leave a card in the camera so I'm ready to go when needed. 

But this time I didn't follow my normal protocol and wound up shooting several images without a card.  I didn't realize this until much later and then further discovered that these images are not stored in any temporary memory so they were lost!  (at least I haven't found a way to retrieve them)

Fortunately, I was equipped that day with two cameras and had used both.  Of course the images weren't the same as I was using two different focal length lenses but at least the day wasn't lost.

Needless to say, I immediately changed that option to not allow the camera to operate withour a memory card!

Happy shooting!

Making Images versus Taking Images

To act like I really know what I'm doing photographically, I'm going to quote Ansel Adams.  Adams said (paraphrasing) "you don't take good photographs, you make them."

I have taken that advice to heart and will go to great lengths to try to "make" a good photo.  I have 4 cameras, not counting iPhone and iPad cameras, loads of lenses, filters, lights, radio-controlled remotes, etc.I have a really nice tripod along with a mono-pod, a monster clamp etc. to put myself in the position to "make" an image.

I spend hours in blinds waiting for birds to put themselves just right for me to take their picture.  I travel long distances to be in the right place at the right time to "make" the right image.

Then I put the image on my computer and manipulate it with Lightroom and Photoshop in search of my own Adams-like image.

But...and you knew there would be one, right?  Some of the best images I have "made, " came at a point when no preparation was possible other than having a camera handy.

this image is a perfect example.  Mary and I were on a train in the North Carolina mountains, mostly riding through woods with an occasional glimpse at a mountain vista or a farm house or creek.  So it was in this state, combined with a rocking train, fighting sleep, that I looked to my right and saw the barn that became the image below.  I had time to raise my camera to my eye, try for the best composition and press the shutter button, all in a matter of 5 seconds before my view was again of woods.  A slight crop in Lightroom, some minor PS adjustments, and this is what I "made."

Image taken with Canon 7D, EF 28-135mm, at 127mm,   at f/7.1, 1/250 sec ISO 200

This image is maybe an even better example of serendipity at work.  It was taken from a moving car with an iPhone!  Again, in the North Carolina mountains, this time in late December 2010, following an impressive snow-fall, my son and I were driving down the highway when the barn appeared.  I had my phone in my hand so I handed it to Jonathan and directed "shoot it!"  We weren't able to slow or stop so the image "made" is what you see (later cropped in Lightroom.)  I returned the next day with my cameras but the sky was different and, although I made some good images, none quite compared to this one.

Taken with Apple  iPhone 4, Exposure 1/2000 at f/2.8, ISO 80

The morale of my story is that one should make every effort to "make" a photograph but should never forego shooting when the opportunity presents, even if preparation is not possible.  Great images can be "made" that way too!