Color Management For Precision Digital Negatives

[donbga]

I've noticed that when opening the PSD files included with PDN in PS CS I am presented with a dialog box warning of Embeded Profile Mismatch. I assume that one should use the embedded profile.

Any comments?

Thanks,

Don Bryant

[sanking]

I've noticed that when opening the PSD files included with PDN in PS CS I am presented with a dialog box warning of Embeded Profile Mismatch. I assume that one should use the embedded profile.

Any comments?

Thanks,

Don Bryant

I am fairly certain you are right. I used the embedded profile when I opened that file.

Sandy

[Les McLean]

I've noticed that when opening the PSD files included with PDN in PS CS I am presented with a dialog box warning of Embeded Profile Mismatch. I assume that one should use the embedded profile.

Any comments?

Thanks,

Don Bryant

Surely it depends on the profile that is embedded at the time of making the scan. I always use Adobe RGB (1998) and have my scanner set up to embed that profile but I do sometimes receive files from clients with different embedded profiles.

[donbga]

Surely it depends on the profile that is embedded at the time of making the scan. I always use Adobe RGB (1998) and have my scanner set up to embed that profile but I do sometimes receive files from clients with different embedded profiles.

Hi Les,

In this case we aren't talking about a scanned image, rather about some custom calibration files created by Mark Nelson for user's of his book 'Precision Digital Negatives.'

But in the context of your answer yes you are certainly correct.

Thanks,

Don Bryant

[Les McLean]

Hi Les,

In this case we aren't talking about a scanned image, rather about some custom calibration files created by Mark Nelson for user's of his book 'Precision Digital Negatives.'

But in the context of your answer yes you are certainly correct.

Thanks,

Don Bryant

Don,

Sorry for my ignorance, I'm not up to date with this latest development but it is on my want to buy list.

[donbga]

Don,

Sorry for my ignorance, I'm not up to date with this latest development but it is on my want to buy list.

Les,

You may wish to visit Mark's website for more information.

http://www.precisiondigitalnegatives.com/

Don

[philsweeney]

Hi Les,

In this case we aren't talking about a scanned image, rather about some custom calibration files created by Mark Nelson for user's of his book 'Precision Digital Negatives.'

Don Bryant

Hi Don,

I am still using imagesetter negatives. I have successfully created curves for silver gelatin papers and have recently created a curve for kallitype on COT-320. I develop curves. I do not use other's curves and modify.

My methods are based on "no color management" per Dan Burkholder's methods. Though I have not purchased the PDN package, I cannot imagine why one would want to use profiles. For my own interest I printed a digital step tablet to imagesetter with a grayscale profile and the results were different than using no profile. I am thinking most importantly one would want to be consistent across the board with processing, so all test negatives and final image negatives are processed the same!

So if you discover you need to not use profiles open the image and drop the profile. If you elect to use profiles, drop the original profile and "assign" the profile you need to use. Never "convert to profile" as that changes the image information (I have no understanding of when one would want to use that, but then I only use the computer for hybrid process).

For my work I drop all profiles from scanners and dropped the profile from "ole_gray.tif" (from Dan's CD) for all curve tests.

phil

[philsweeney]

Don,
just an afterthought: I assume PDN is uses a form of "spectral density negative." So I guess your printer is a RGB device and your file needs to be RGB. If you are starting with RGB files, I suggest dropping the profile (will become untagged RGB) and setup your print space "same as document" and specify no color controls in the printer.

After dropping or assigning profiles make sure you verify with the eyedropper the original densities. For example when opening ole_gray.tif there is a profile. Drop the profile (i.e., do not color manage). This file has a step tablet, so verify the original densities: after that you should be confident your files are not being "juggled." If you manage the documents this way the only effect on the data is "your" curve!

phil

[donbga]

Don,
just an afterthought: I assume PDN is uses a form of "spectral density negative." So I guess your printer is a RGB device and your file needs to be RGB. If you are starting with RGB files, I suggest dropping the profile (will become untagged RGB) and setup your print space "same as document" and specify no color controls in the printer.

After dropping or assigning profiles make sure you verify with the eyedropper the original densities. For example when opening ole_gray.tif there is a profile. Drop the profile (i.e., do not color manage). This file has a step tablet, so verify the original densities: after that you should be confident your files are not being "juggled." If you manage the documents this way the only effect on the data is "your" curve!

phil

Thanks Phil. Mark's method doesn't rely on a cookie cutter approach for creating digital negatives, whether creating an imagesetter or inkjet negative. With Mark's method one develops their own specific "spectral density negative" (your phrase) for inkjet negatives. I need to read again his book to surmise his intend about using color profiles embedded in the included PSD files, or perhaps more properly I will probably e-mail Mark and get his input.

Don

[Jeremy]

Don,
I just got my copy of Mark's book today and whenever it asks about embedded profiles the book says that you are to avoid the profiles which I take to mean if you ahve to make the choice, choose ignore.