Discussion Point 3

Identify an area of file preparation you need to learn more about and provide an overview (200 word max) of the process and its significance.

Colour Space:

A "colour space" is a conceptual tool for understanding the colour capabilities of a digital file. When trying to reproduce colour on a device, colour spaces can show whether you will be able to retain shadow/highlight detail, colour saturation, and by how much either will be compromised.

Unlike an artist's palette, colour spaces remain invisible and serve only as behind the scenes calculations, but learning to visualise them can help you to identify the most suitable colour space to use for a project.

Precise Colour Management = the slight differences in colour on screen including ambient light, artificial lighting, monitor calibration and the colour profile of files

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: what you see onscreen is not a true representation of the print colour of your work.

TYPES of Colour Spaces: DEVICE DEPENDENT & WORKING SPACES

There are many different types of colour spaces and applications including:

• Device-dependent spaces: express relative colour - the subset of colours displayed using a monitor, printer, camera or scanner.
• Device-independent spaces: express colour in absolute terms - a universal colour reference, useful to compare with other devices. 
• Working spaces: use image editing programs and file formats to constrain the range of colors to a standard palette - most common  in digital photography are RGB and CMYK.  

Reference:

• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/color-spaces.htm