Saturated colors after "save for web"

[jng]

I hate double posters, but since I didn't get a response in the photography forum, I thought I should try my luck here.

In photoshop, I have really nice rich colors but when I do "save for web," they become muted and saturated, most evident in blues, greens, and reds.

I do have color management turned on and work in sRGB.

I've tried "Windows standard" color preset, "Macintosh standard" etc and they all look muted.

Any ideas? I'm really frustrated by it.

 

[Mr.Texor]

http://www.gballard.net/psd/saveforwebshift.html

 

[jng]

I've seen that and many similar tweaks. That's what I used to do actually on my powerbook and that trick seemed to work back in Photoshop 7.

Now I'm using CS3 on a MBP and the fix (converting to sRGB before "Saving for web") doesn't work whatsoever. I found this post/explanation here:
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00LSfj

Basically, they're saying it's Apple's fault. The MBP LCD especially has a color calibration that makes everything brighter. So when I save for web and it's in sRGB, it's as it should be: less bright, i.e. muted/saturated.

I tried changing my display's profile to "sRGB" and oh my, everything on my screen appeared blueish and ugly.

Does anyone have any other thoughts?

 

[iMeowbot]

I tried changing my display's profile to "sRGB" and oh my, everything on my screen appeared blueish and ugly.

That's true, but it's also how most displays out there are set up. Accurate color is lost cause on the Web. Try to find an (un)happy medium that's tolerable across the common profiles, that's the best you're getting.

 

[jng]

That's true, but it's also how most displays out there are set up. Accurate color is lost cause on the Web. Try to find an (un)happy medium that's tolerable across the common profiles, that's the best you're getting.

Not the answer I was looking for.

Are there any other hacks out there for mac cs3 folks?

Would it help if I bought an ACD and designed on an external monitor? For example, grassy greens are washed out in some brilliant photos and that really bothers me.

 

[iMeowbot]

People really are having some trouble finding a decent profile for the new LCD-lit MBPs, you might find a solution in this thread. Someone posted a profile that seems to work well for them, you may want to give that a shot before trying an external display.

I suspect that this, more than anything in the latest Photoshop, is behind the trouble you're having. This change was bound to happen. LEDs simply don't crank out the same light that fluorescents do. It is a little surprising that Apple didn't add a default profile that deals with it, but there it is, maybe there will be a correction in the rumored 10.4.10 release. [ed: but now I see 2.33 in your .sig, the older MBPs have quirks too but not the same ones. You may still need to play with calibration.]

 

[jng]

Thanks for the thread link. I will go give it a try.

I used photoshop 7 for years. Then the powerbook starting aging and I decided to splurge for the latest photoshop too, only to be disappointed I guess. A trade-off I guess.

 

[jng]

So apparently I have the 9C60 display. Yippee.

That thread talked about the new LED displays (which you mentioned).

I guess I'm going to try to find some calibration software first then.

 

[banjomamo]

i personally would never trust the color of a laptop since the image changes if i tilt my head slightly. the new MBP may be different but thats what i have experienced - especially the glossy ones. i proof my color on a separate display. ive been using the apple cinema displays for several years and they have served me very well.

i can totally understand your frustration though. have you ever thought about running your laptop up to an apple store, hook it up to a 23" or 30" and seeing if it makes a difference for you?

 

[radiantm3]

Just make sure you have the monitor color proof setting on while you work in photoshop. That's command-y (assuming you have your profile proof set to monitor). That should provide the accurate display color while you work.

 

[Grunze]

I found a really simple solution for the same problem...
In the save for web dialog, click the box for ICC profile. Its right below where it says jpeg and your quality level.

That's worked for me....

 

[jng]

Just make sure you have the monitor color proof setting on while you work in photoshop. That's command-y (assuming you have your profile proof set to monitor). That should provide the accurate display color while you work.

Thank you. I will try that.

My profile proof is set to "Working CMYK" though. What is it supposed to be set to? I've never set the proof before.

 

[radiantm3]

I found a really simple solution for the same problem...
In the save for web dialog, click the box for ICC profile. Its right below where it says jpeg and your quality level.

That's worked for me....

If the image is for the web, that can cause more issues. Safari uses the ICC profile while non-webkit browsers don't. So you will have color shifts depending on what browser is viewing the image.

 

[jng]

If the image is for the web, that can cause more issues. Safari uses the ICC profile while non-webkit browsers don't. So you will have color shifts depending on what browser is viewing the image.

Lovely.

I tried the ICC thing actually but didn't like it because it added 7k to a 40k image. And because I work in academia, file size matters for the old folks with old machines.

I've turned on "proof colors" but am not sure if I'm noticing a difference - yet. In the mean time, I've arranged to borrow a 20" ACD from work for the summer.

Hopefully things will be better after that.