Skip to main content
D
defaultjcts71jqpv5n
Participating Frequently
August 13, 2021
Answered

unsupported color space - cannot open grayscale tiff

  • August 13, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 4669 views

I have a growing set of grayscale tiff files which open fine in Photoshop CS3, but do not in Photoshop 2021. When I try to open them, I get an error message: 'Could not open "*.tif" because the TIFF file uses an unsupported color space.' The problem only occurs with these specific images. Other grayscale tiff files open without problem, even though they do not seem to have an embedded color mode. From reading this forum, I've figured out that I can open them by using Camera Raw, but that slows everything down. I'm wondering if there is a way to add a color space, or change some setting, or...

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer D Fosse

OK, good.

 

In any case I would strongly advise against working with untagged grayscale. It's a minefield. Grayscale requires that you take full control over the use of profiles, otherwise the result seen in other applications is totally unpredictable. Other applications generally have very little support for grayscale profiles at all - which means you need to use one that basically matches the characteristics of the destination (monitor, print). If not, the tone curve will be all over the map.

 

Monochrome sRGB is a lot safer. If you must use grayscale, Gray Gamma 2.2 should keep you on dry land most of the time.

4 replies

K
KATHARINE237890610hlu
Participant
June 2, 2022

I was able to fix my same issue of "unsupported color space" by doing the following:

  1. Open file in "ColorSync Utility" on Mac
  2. Select Assign Profile on the bottom left and choose the file's color profile I needed.
  3. I saved the file and then I was able to open it in Photoshop.
    NB, colourmanagement
    Community Expert
    NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 17, 2021

    I entirely agree with D.Fosse,

    using untagged grayscale images is an accident waiting to happen

    Monochrome (unsaturated) RGB files [where R=G=B] - saved with an embedded RGB profile - are far safer. 

    I hope this helps
    neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer
    google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management
    [please only use the blue reply button at the top of the page, this maintains the original thread title and chronological order of posts]. 

    D Fosse
    Community Expert
    D FosseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 13, 2021

    The example TIFF opens just fine here, in Photoshop 22.4.3. It doesn't have an embedded grayscale profile, so it opens as "untagged".

     

    For now, I suggest you open through ACR and resave them from Photoshop. ACR will assign Gray Gamma 2.2 as a grayscale profile, and Photoshop will then save it with that profile.

     

    I have a suspicion that the problem is actually in your monitor profile - it may be a little off-spec and unable to handle untagged grayscale source material correctly. If you're not using a calibrator, you're probably getting manufacturer monitor profiles through Windows Update, and these profiles are very often bad in various ways. Everything you see on screen in Photoshop goes from the document profile through your monitor profile, and then to screen. Both profiles need to be in order.

     

    But before concluding with anything - have you made any changes to the Photoshop Color Settings? If you have, what specifically?

     

     

    D
    defaultjcts71jqpv5nAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 13, 2021

    You are correct. I thought my Photoshop was updated, but it wasn't. Now that it is, all of the files open as they should. Thank you for your reply!

    D Fosse
    Community Expert
    D FosseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    August 13, 2021

    OK, good.

     

    In any case I would strongly advise against working with untagged grayscale. It's a minefield. Grayscale requires that you take full control over the use of profiles, otherwise the result seen in other applications is totally unpredictable. Other applications generally have very little support for grayscale profiles at all - which means you need to use one that basically matches the characteristics of the destination (monitor, print). If not, the tone curve will be all over the map.

     

    Monochrome sRGB is a lot safer. If you must use grayscale, Gray Gamma 2.2 should keep you on dry land most of the time.

    gener7
    Community Expert
    gener7Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 13, 2021

    I can suggest Irfanview (since you are using Windows) to open and resave the file to a standard color space.

    https://www.irfanview.com/

    D
    defaultjcts71jqpv5nAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 13, 2021

    Since I can open the files in Photoshop using Camera Raw, would using Irfanview save any time? The fastest thing is actually to use the old computer with old Photoshop, really.

    D
    defaultjcts71jqpv5nAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 13, 2021

    The problem seems to have gone away with the Photoshop update, so that is a relief.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices