Skip to main content
Participating Frequently
October 31, 2007
Question

Photoshop CS3 color management "Save for Web" problem

  • October 31, 2007
  • 680 replies
  • 62136 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 7, 2007

    "If you set a html page color to 8a4545"

    Okay, which one of these boxes match the background? 8a4545 test

    Participating Frequently
    November 7, 2007
    I think for most users the short answer is:

    1) Calibrate monitor to 2.2 gamma, D65/6500.

    2) Convert Photoshop color to sRGB before Save For Web (manually or by CS3 default).

    3) Do not check ICC Profile option (strip the profile).

    4) Use High or higher JPEG setting.

    If you get an unnatural shift between untagged sRGB and tagged sRGB in Safari, your monitor profile is likely the problem.

    Or in Photoshop with an sRGB file, if you get an unnatural shift in View> Proof Setup> Monitor RGB, your monitor profile is likely the problem.

    To rule out the monitor profile, go into System Preferences> Displays> Color and set sRGB for the monitor profile, reboot, and retest.

    If the problem persists using sRGB as the Monitor RGB, then test in a new user account (your install or hardware is flaky). Defective calibration pucks/software are notorious for causing these kinds of color issues. Setting a canned sRGB profile will rule out the puck.

    +++++

    Lastly,

    Working in SoftProof mode (View> Proof Setup> Monitor RGB) for web work is only confusing and slowing you up. Photoshop is already displaying sRGB accurately if we have a good monitor profile (and the calibrated monitor space is unique) -- which is my point.
    Participating Frequently
    November 7, 2007
    Tagging web images:

    If you set a html page color to 8a4545 (for example), and fill a Photoshop box with 8a4545 and SFW with sRGB embedded profile -- does the box match/blend in with the page in managed web browsers like Safari?

    The page color is unmanaged, applying MonitorRGB, the JPEG is Managed, applying sRGB so I don't think they would match.

    If you slice a JPEG in 10 pieces, does that add 10 more profiles to the page.
    I know adding 10 more tagged JPEGS will add on 10 more profiles to the page.

    If you add each logo, graphic with embedded profiles on top of that, the profiles are bloating the page with data.

    My point is I don't think embedding profiles in web images is a good idea for most users.

    Embedding one profile in a web page IS a good idea, but that doesn't work yet...
    Ramón G Castañeda
    Inspiring
    November 7, 2007
    Larry,
    >then whether 'Proof Colors' is on or off is involved in the CS3 printing issue?

    YES; but that's a different issue. The soft proof profile should NOT affect printing, but it DOES in this version of Photoshop 10 because the Polaschek team managed to mess up the printing engine.

    But you also have to set it in the Photoshop PRINT dialog box:

    Ramón G Castañeda, "Printing: The infamous TechNote ID: kb400878 is a major screw-up!" #5, 8 May 2007 8:41 pm

    We have gone over this several times before.

    > I should have it on and set to my target printer paper when I'm looking to print an image?

    YES, absolutely, of course! Otherwise you don't know what it's going to look like in print and cannot make appropriate corrections.

    You really, really should buy the Schewe "From Camera To Print - Fine Art Printing Tutorial" video tutorials:

    http://www.luminous-landscape.com/ (scroll down a bit)
    Participating Frequently
    November 7, 2007
    Ramon - Concerning your post 154. Then whether 'Proof Colors' is on or off is involved in the CS3 printing issue? I should have it on and set to my target printer paper when I'm looking to print an image?

    I agree with MO this is all getting out of hand and overly complex.

    Let's do a group confession to Adobe and ask for compassion so that we can be forgiven and they will give us back the ability to get anything out of Photoshop. That is Photoshop is designed to create images that usually are printed or shown on the web. Even the Bridge slide show is hosed. So the program is essentially hosed. There is virtually nothing working as far as output from Photoshop. Am I overreacting???
    Ramón G Castañeda
    Inspiring
    November 7, 2007
    :/
    Participating Frequently
    November 7, 2007
    I left my virtues in the confessional...

    bless me Father for I have sinned.
    Ramón G Castañeda
    Inspiring
    November 7, 2007
    Yep, that's an admirable virtue, Mike.
    Participating Frequently
    November 7, 2007
    Oh - piss Jeffy off?

    ;o)

    big deal....

    The whole problem is all of us retards (everyone) needs to get along one day and learn a simple thing called tolerance.
    Ramón G Castañeda
    Inspiring
    November 7, 2007
    LOL @ Mike!

    It looks like after the incident with John Nack, picked up by a respected photo and Photoshop guru we all know and whose book on ACR we eagerly await, I've been put on Adobe's black list.

    If I tried to lobby Adobe to listen to you, it would be counter productive.