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8 - Color Spaces & Photoshop Elements

Perform the following three steps.

Step #1 -

Photograph's Color Space

Determine the color space of the photograph.

sRGB and Adobe RGB are the two most common color spaces.

Most photographers should use the sRGB color space.

That's because:

• Most monitors can't display the Adobe RGB color space.

• Photoshop Elements doesn't do soft proofing, which attempts to depict your photograph on your monitor like the printed version.

• Few labs accept photographs using the Adobe RGB color space.

You can check the photograph's color space with one of the following three methods.

Method #1 -

Check with Your Camera

Your camera is probably set, by default, to the sRGB color space.

Check in the camera's menu for the color space setting.

Look for sRGB or Adobe RGB.

Method #2 -

Check with Photoshop Elements

In Photoshop Elements, go to File > File Info.

Look for sRGB or Adobe RGB in the metadata.

Method #3 -

Check with Photoshop Elements

1) In Photoshop Elements, go to File > Print, or press Ctrl + p.

2) Look for the Color Management section.

In earlier versions of Photoshop Elements, you must select Show More Options.

3) Look for Source Space.

4) Look for sRGB or Adobe RGB.

Step #2 -

Photoshop Elements

Is Set to the Same Color Space

The color space for the photograph—and for Photoshop Elements—must be the same.

The photograph and Photoshop Elements must both be sRGB.

Or, they both must both be Adobe RGB.

Go to Edit > Color Settings.

If your camera is set to the sRGB color space, select Always Optimize Colors for Computer Screens.

If your camera is set to the Adobe RGB color space, select Always Optimize for Printing.

Step #3 -

One Color Manager, Not Two

When printing from Photoshop Elements, you must turn off the color management done by the printer.

You want Photoshop Elements to do the color management, alone.

There are two tasks.

Task #1

1) In Photoshop Elements, go to File > Print, or press Ctrl + p.

2) Look for the Color Management section.

In earlier versions of Photoshop Elements, you must select Show More Options.

3) Look for Color Handling.

4) Change it from Printer Manages Color to Photoshop Elements Manages Color.

Task #2

1) In Photoshop Elements, go to File > Print, or press Ctrl + p.

2) Click Page Set Up > Printer > Properties.

Look for the section concerning color management.

This section is often abbreviated as ICM (Integrated Color Management).

Make the selection for no color management by the printer driver.

This may be designated by the phrase, Same As Source.

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