Scanning, histogram and levels. Oh, and color profiles...

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POSTI-Tuomo

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Hi again, people.

This time I have a scanning-related question which concerns using the histogram to adjust your images. As we all know, the histogram allows you to modify "Input" and "Output" levels. Changing either will modify the image accordingly. My question is about which sliders to use? If I intend to make a scan that would be a starting point for both web releasing and printing... Am I restricted to using solely "Input" or "Output"? Or does it matter, as long as I manage to make the image look satisfactory?

And about color profiles. I use Epson V700 for my scans, which color profile should I use? I have selected sRGB, is this correct?

So much to learn...
 
The best solution I have found to these complex inter-related problems is black and white in a darkroom 😉
 
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For colour profiles I'd select Adobe RGB as it has a wider colour gamut than sRGB which really just for web display.

For histograms and scanning I try and produce a scan that has as much info as possible ie no burnt out highlights or black shadows. I get artistic with photoshop and layers so a not to degrade the original scan which I keep as an archive.

Additionally, I'd calibrate your monitor so that your files can easily be transferred to other devices, ie printers or labs, without any mysterious changes in appearence.
 
Hi, Toby.

Thanks for your advice. It just so happens that my online lab converts the color space to sRGB, so any advantage gained with Adobe RGB would be lost, no? My monitor had a specific color profile designed for it, which I subsequently changed to sRGB... I think this will give me a good approximation of how photos will look like when it comes to actually ordering the prints from my online lab, have I gotten this part right?

Turtle: Heheh 🙂. As soon as I get my bearings right and the workflow, well, flowingI should be quite okay...
 
In reality Adobe RGB will only make rendering more complex without any advantage unless you own an extremely expensive adobe RGB compatible monitor, and most printers have a gamut that is even narrower than sRGB.
 
Work in one color space only, monitor, photoshop, and your photoprinter.

Since you can`t change the finisher, that means sRGB all the way. This is how I work. If you monitor is reasonably accurate, you will never be suprised.

My Nikon D200 output is sRGB, So the flow is not changed for that.

I scan and adjust density, and RGB curves, all four, to center for average tone subjects. If your density is right, then bring in the RBG . The density may change, so readjust that. This gets me lowish contrast but correct color scans.
Open in PS and do levels- auto levels. Then any minor adjusting from there.
 
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