saving files for the web

[TXForester]

Thanks to the latest discussions about photoshop, I downloaded the "leaked" CS2. It seems pretty close to CS3 that I've tried. However, I saved a test "for web," but when I look at file side by side (cs2 window next to browser window), the image in the browser looked a little overexposed and with less contrast.

Does anybody have settings suggestions for saving files for internet display? I know my laptop isn't calibrated (my model requires 3rd party software and a device to read the light coming off the screen), and can't control calibration on viewers computers. It seems like the two images should look alike on my screen regardless of how accurate my calibration is set.

Thanks

 

[daveleo]

I believe that two programs (say a we browser and an image editor) will never show exactly the same image character on the screen. They use different (I think it's called) graphics rendering engines.

 

[TXForester]

You could be right. But I thought that is what the "save for web" option was for.

 

[finguanzo]

while working on your file, change to "view/proof setup/ monitor rgb... "
When doing web work, I use this to view what it will look like online,.. Less color, less contrast, what you will see on save for web..

 

[ZeissFan]

Why don't you save the same file as a Web JPG using both programs and then preview each file using a non-Adobe file viewer. Then you will know if each program produces different Web JPGs.

That is, eliminate the variable of viewing the same photo in two different programs.

 

[Dwig]

Most, but not all, modern browsers and OSs support embedded color profiles. I recommend that you embed the "sRGB" profile in the original PS file using the "Convert to Profile..." menu option. Also, use the "File Info..." menu option to enter your copyright claim and some basic contact info so no one can legitimatly claim that they couldn't find you and therefore can treat the image as public domain.

Then export via the "Save for Web..." being careful to select the options to retain the color profile and the EXIF data (at least the copyright and contact info). The "Save for Web" has advanced through the versions and I skipped CS2 or CS3 (I jumped from CS to CS4) so I can't say exactly which options are present in those versions.

As always, proof your work in one or two browsers and, preferably, on more than one computer. There is no way to make the display match on all users' machines. You can't correct for their poor display adjustments.

 

[shadowfox]

Here's a practical tip.
Collect shots that you see on the web (flickr, google, whatever) whose quality just blow you away.

Every time you are about to upload your photos, compare it with these good ones in terms of brightness and contrast (and colors when it applies). When you're happy with the relative comparison, off they go on the web.