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kcophoto
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October 14, 2024
Answered

Thumbnail photo color is weird, open the photo it’s correct?

  • October 14, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 521 views

I have some photos I took, uploaded to Lightroom on my iPad, moved to Photoshop to work with generative fill, exported to a file, (the option to return to Lightroom was gone) and sent via text on an iPhone. When the photo comes in the message, it is a bit green. When you open the photo it is correct.. This seems to be the only time it was an issue as it printed fine with a professional printer. Now, my friend is trying to use snapfish or something of the like, and it will only open in that green color. 
What the heck is happening?

Correct answer Matthijs-Clasener

This is likely an issue related to color space. The pictures color mode is Adobe RGB. Here's a breakdown of what might be happening and why:

1. Adobe RGB and Device Compatibility

  • Adobe RGB is a wider color space used for professional workflows, but many consumer devices (like iPhones, text messaging apps, and online printing services like Snapfish) are designed to work in the sRGB color space.
  • If an image is exported in Adobe RGB but viewed in an application or on a device that assumes sRGB without proper color management, the colors may look incorrect—like the green tint you're describing.

2. Viewing Photos in Text Messages

  • When you preview the image, the finder might display the preview without fully understanding or converting the Adobe RGB color space. This could lead to an inaccurate preview (the greenish tone).
  • However, when you open the photo in a photo viewer (like the default iOS Photos app).

3. Snapfish and Other Online Services

  • Online photo services often assume that the image is in the sRGB color space. If you upload the file in Adobe RGB and Snapfish doesn't recognize or convert the color profile, it will misinterpret the colors, resulting in the greenish cast.

1 reply

M
Community Expert
Matthijs-ClasenerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
January 19, 2025

This is likely an issue related to color space. The pictures color mode is Adobe RGB. Here's a breakdown of what might be happening and why:

1. Adobe RGB and Device Compatibility

  • Adobe RGB is a wider color space used for professional workflows, but many consumer devices (like iPhones, text messaging apps, and online printing services like Snapfish) are designed to work in the sRGB color space.
  • If an image is exported in Adobe RGB but viewed in an application or on a device that assumes sRGB without proper color management, the colors may look incorrect—like the green tint you're describing.

2. Viewing Photos in Text Messages

  • When you preview the image, the finder might display the preview without fully understanding or converting the Adobe RGB color space. This could lead to an inaccurate preview (the greenish tone).
  • However, when you open the photo in a photo viewer (like the default iOS Photos app).

3. Snapfish and Other Online Services

  • Online photo services often assume that the image is in the sRGB color space. If you upload the file in Adobe RGB and Snapfish doesn't recognize or convert the color profile, it will misinterpret the colors, resulting in the greenish cast.
    NB, colourmanagement
    Community Expert
    NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 20, 2025

    @Matthijs-Clasener "If an image is exported in Adobe RGB but viewed in an application or on a device that assumes sRGB without proper color management, the colors may look incorrect—like the green tint you're describing."

    Personally I've never seen an AdobeRGB (1998) colorspace image get a green tint when sRGB is assumed. I've certainly seen large changes to colour saturation (AdobeRGB images lose saturation when sRGB is assumed).

    Do you have an example AdobeRGB (1998) colorspace image that goes green when sRGB is assigned (in Photoshop) please?

     

    I hope this helps neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right' google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.

     

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