Re: Entry Level Documentation
Re: Entry Level Documentation
- Subject: Re: Entry Level Documentation
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 15:57:18 -0400
Philip wrote:
>
It is clear that colorsync-users is a forum for proffesionals. Would
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one of you be so kind as to recommend sources of entry-level
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documentation for a beginner?
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Thanks,
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>
Philip
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--
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Felipe Fried
>
Quito, Ecuador
>
email@hidden
Dear Philip:
I completely sympathize with your feeling overwhelmed by some of the dialog on the ColorSync list, but if you want to learn about current developments in color management, there really is no substitute. Color management issues are discussed from time to time on other forums, such as the various Epson lists, but all too often the participants therein (particularly on some of the Epson lists) tend to confuse serendipity with science. One member, for
example, will happen to make a pleasing print while eating a corn muffin, and write to tell the news, whereupon all the other members will rush to the bakery, and then post bitter complaints that corn muffins are not the secret ingredient to color management after all.
Fortunately there are some terrific resources that can give you the
background to follow some (but not all!) of the discussions here. You might want to start with the following web-based resources (among others):
1. Everything written by Bruce Fraser at www.creativepro.com, starting with his recent article, "Why is Color?" Of all the color gods who inhabit this list, Fraser unquestionably is the best expository writer. Whenever I feel hopelessly confused, I reread one of his pieces, and my faith that there is a larger color management logic at work is restored. And for an explanation of the logic and practical application of Photoshop working spaces, softproofing, etc, you'll want to read Bruce's Real World Photoshop 6.
2. The articles posted at www.profilecity.com, particularly Joseph Holmes'dissertation on rendering intents. Holmes is one of the best
color fine art photographers practicing today, and at the same time a bona fide member of the color management pantheon. If you are approaching color management as a photgrapher/artist, treat everything Holmes writes as a bit of ambrosia given to us mortals by the gods.
3. The articles/tutorials at Andrew Rodney's site(www.digitaldog.net).
Reliable and practical advice.
4. The user manual for ColorSynergy 4.0, available at the vendor's website(www.picto.com). All ICC color management software works in more or less the same way, so reading the ColorSynergy manual gives you a sense of how they all work. What distinguishes the ColorSynergy manual is the terrific job it does of interweaving the why with the how.
5. The materials at www.iccabc.com.
There are also some books on the subject, of which three leap to mind:
1. Digital Color Management: Encoding Solutions, by Giorgianni and Madden. A fabulous introduction to color science, as it applies to all digital disciplines. Meet our friend, Mr. Standard Observer, and learn why metamerism is good for you. Available through Amazon.com, etc.
2. and 3. Understanding Digital Color, by Phil Green (who also has an excellent web site), and the GATF Practical Guide to Color Management (2nd Ed), both available through www.gatf.org.
When reading the ColorSync list, one trick is mentally to filter out
discussions that don't relate to your own reason for being interested in color management. Very broadly, and no doubt hopelessly oversimplifying, you can think of the posts that don't have universal relevance as falling into one (or more) of three categories: (i) photography/fine art (how do I consistently make the most beautiful possible prints with my Epson 10000),(ii) proofing (how do I trick my brand new Epson 10000 into making prints that look just like the 20 year old offset press where my client's job will be printed) and (iii) production (how do I move all these images through my shop in the fastest possible way, consistent with my quality standards, so I can make some money). If you're not interested in how to drive an inkjet printer to replicate spot colors on foil soap packaging, just skip that
post!
Edward Kleinbard