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Participating Frequently
October 31, 2007
Question

Photoshop CS3 color management "Save for Web" problem

  • October 31, 2007
  • 680 replies
  • 62091 views
This problem is getting the best of me.......

After spending 3 full days researching this problem, I am no closer to finding an answer than when I started. I still cannot produce a usable image through the "Save for Web" feature of Photoshop CS3. I have read web page after web page of "Tips, Tricks and Recommendations" from dozens of experts, some from this forum, and still I have no solution... I am exhausted and frustrated to say the least. Here's the simple facts that I know at this point.

I have a web design project that was started in PS CS1. All artwork was created in photoshop and exported to JPG format by using "Save for Web". Every image displays correctly in these browsers (Safari, Camino, FireFox and even Internet Explorer on a PC).

I have recently upgraded to PS CS3 and now cannot get any newly JPG'd image to display correctly. My original settings in CS1 were of no concern to me at the time, because it always just worked, and so I do not know what they were. I have opened a few of my previous images in CS3 and found that sRGB-2.1 displays them more or less accurately. I am using sRGB 2.1 working space. Upon openning these previous image files, I get the "Missing Profile" message and of course I select "Leave as is. Do Not color manage". CS3 assumes sRGB-2.1 working space, opens the file, and all is well.

The problem is when I go to "Save for Web", the saturation goes up, and the colors change. The opposite of what most people are reporting. Here's another important point... new artwork created in CS3 does exactly the same thing, so it's not because of the older CS1 files.

I have tried every combination of "uncompensated color", "Convert to sRGB", "ICC Profile", etc. while saving. I have Converted to sRGB before saving, and my monitor is calibrated correctly.
I have tried setting the "Save for Web" page on 2-up and the "original" on the left is already color shifted before I even hit the "Save" button. Of course, the "Optimized" image on the right looks perfect because I am cheating by selecting the "Use Document Color Profile" item. Why do they even have this feature if doesn't work, or misleads you?

Does anyone have any ideas what could be happening here? Why is this all so screwed up?
CS1 worked fine out of the box.

Final note: I do have an image file I could send along that demonstrates how it is possible to display an image exactly the same in all 4 of the browsers I mentioned with no color differences. It is untagged RGB and somehow it just works.

I am very frustrated with all of this and any suggestions will be appreciated

Thanks,
Pete
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    680 replies

    November 29, 2007

    "...or get a more sRGB compatible one"

    So I guess you have to look at the specs of different monitors to find out which one is closer to sRGB?

    Participating Frequently
    November 29, 2007
    > I'm returning a high color monitor because photoshop is unable to provide a solution for browsers that are unable to deal with this.

    hmm...

    hmm....x2
    jefbak
    Known Participant
    November 29, 2007
    This thread got off on the monitors direction, but we are having this problem when updating gif images created in photoshop cs1 which are then edited in CS2 or CS3.

    All versions are installed with their default settings. The color of the CS2 and CS3 images look different then CS1 versions.

    All on the same mac pro and 30" apple monitor...

    Is there a settings change to get CS2/3 images to match CS1?
    Participating Frequently
    November 29, 2007

    You're right, I'm back.... I edited my other message... I'm not trying to piss anyone off, I'm just really annoyed with the experts that will not understand my dilemma. I have been screached at for a long time in here, and finally the realization that my monitor is fine, but the majority at large just isn't compatible.

    Turns out I do not have a cheap, crappy monitor with a bad profile.

    Gee... sorry Pete, wow, we've all learned a great deal throughout this whole thing. Well, now you have a decision to make, keep the wide gamut monitor or get a more sRGB compatible one. Interesting stuff... hope this helped... good luck!

    But no.... Hmmmmm......

    November 29, 2007
    "hmm..."

    Can you elaborate?
    November 29, 2007
    I think I would rather have a monitor that has a gamut that is closer to AdobeRGB then sRGB. One of the places that makes my Giclee prints has me use the AdobeRGB profile. As far as saving images to the web, I can deal with the workaround fine...

    "Thanks to all... it's been great... bye!!!!!!!!!!"

    You'll be back... Blind

    Participating Frequently
    November 29, 2007
    Well thanks for the help, I don't know what else to do then. I will return the monitor and move on. Maybe one day I will re purchase a full spectrum monitor (or whatever you call it).

    I just think PS should offer some kind of solution or help, maybe a warning message, or a special calibration button or whatever.
    Participating Frequently
    November 29, 2007
    >> I'm returning a high color monitor because photoshop is unable to provide a solution for browsers that are unable to deal with this.

    hmm...
    November 29, 2007
    To go one step further in defense of Photoshop...when I select my calibrated profile before closing the Display Preferences window - Photoshop displays an oversaturated image. Once I close the Display Preferences window (committing to the monitor profile), the image desaturates to a more normal appearance, suggesting that Photoshop is recognizing that the gamut is "too wide" and compensates for that to display "correctly". Same with colour-managed Safari.

    I don't know if I'm quite right there, but it's making sense to me right now.
    November 29, 2007
    Peter M., I hear what you're saying although I'm not sure that it's a Photoshop issue. Colour managed images display correctly, whether in Photoshop or in Safari...it seems that methods of dealing with un-tagged or non CM images are lacking. My two cents.