Colors Inconsistent in sRGB images between applications, Adobe apps vs Chrome, etc...

[silverdoves]

I’m having issues with colors and how they appear in different applications. I’ve spent hours researching and cannot figure out what is going on and hoping I can find some help here.

I have dual displays, both the exact same model (Samsung monitors I purchased over 10 years ago). I’ve calibrated them both using a Spyder 2 Express and DisplayCal (I believe I’ve followed all necessary instructions for my calibration device). Overall I’m pleased with how colors look on my display.

I have sRGB as my working space in Lightroom and Photoshop CC and the sRGB color profile assigned to all relevant images. In the Adobe programs and in Firefox the colors are consistent, but when I view my files in the Windows Photos app, in Chrome, or on a separate mobile device, the contrast is to high and the saturation off and it’s too green/yellow.

Way back in the day I didn’t have this issue but much has changed since then, I upgraded some of the hardware in my tower (new motherboard), upgraded to Windows 10, and began using DisplayCal all around the same time. I’ve had this issue for awhile and it may have popped up after the first time I used DisplayCal. I thought that it was just a problem with my Windows Photos viewer so I didn’t bother fixing it. But I recently realized they look like that oh my phone, etc… which means it probably looks that bad on other devices when my clients view them.

If I take a screenshot of the image open in Photoshop, then paste that into a new document in Photoshop the colors change (I’m assuming because the screenshot doesn’t have a color profile assigned?) If I use the Proof Setup option in Photoshop and choose “monitor RGB” it will reflect the same colors I see in other apps (high contrast, etc..) If I convert my color profile from sRGB to the profile created by DisplayCal, it shows the contrast-y one as well. If I view the image in FastStone image viewer it’s high-contrast until I chance the color settings and check the box that says “auto detect and use monitor color profile”

I’ve read that it could be because the other apps don’t manage colors. But it seems like an extreme difference and I don’t see how many artists out there can post their work online in portfolios and they look great in Chrome or on Instagram on my phone, and yet mine look awful.

I guess what I’m wondering is which of the two I’m seeing is “accurate?” How can I tell? 

I’m attaching a screenshot comparing the results I’m getting.

I appreciate any insight I can get, thanks!

[Test Screen Name]

To me, on a cheap LCD screen, in Windows 8 Photo viewer, the Photoshop colours are dull and the others look about right. But this is very much a matter of personal taste. Consumer taste is for oversaturation, go to a TV shop and see...

[D Fosse]

It's very simple:

Some applications are color managed, and some (like Windows "Photos") are not.

Depending on the monitor, the difference can be dramatic, or it can be small.

If you use the monitor profile as document profile, that effectively turns all color management off. If source and destination profiles are the same, no change, no profile conversion, no color management. Then Photoshop behaves just like any other non-color managed viewer.

The Spyder 2 sensor is very old and even back then had a reputation for being unreliable. It doesn't work well with LED panels. The Spyder 3 was regarded as a huge improvement.