Adobe RGB image in a monitor that only displays sRGB?

I'm not sure if here lies a misconception.

A monitor does not only displays sRGB or Adobe 1998, they display a percentage of them. If a monitor displays 100% sRGB color space it will display a percentage of the other (70%-80% ish. I'm not sure at the moment). I am sure you have seen the typical graph using two triangles on top of each other.

The point is what does it mean?

I will try to simulate the differences.

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Here is a typical example vendors use on a website to "wow" you.

"Here is a comparison between our (Put name here) and another using standard technology (let's say sRGB)"

And you can think: "Oh, I see that B has vivid colors, and A has dull ones. Take my money, I want B"

Well, probably B has a smaller color space.

What it means is that you reach the peak of saturation faster, therefore you see images more vivid faster. A higher Color Space means that where the other has peaked, you are still on your way.

Imagine that you have a photo with vivid colors (I should use a green or cyan photo, but this one illustrates more the point I want to make.

On a monitor with smaller color space, you probably stop seeing differences in data (detail) let's say between the red lines. But in a wider color space, you can see details further. Imagine the green lines.

(In a real-life, having two monitors present, yes, a higher color space probably will look more vivid, because additional factors, like the overall power of the light, the contrast, etc.)

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The peak of saturation?

It is easier to understand with normal contrast.

I obviously cheated on the previous image, I grayed it.

Here I am not. I have pure white and pure black on both sides. But on the left, a more contrasted one (brightness contrast), I peaked the black, and from one point I have only black (orange circle) but on the other side, I have smaller zones of black because I still have differences. The same as white.

This is the same with saturation. There is a point where I can not see differences in the saturation of the colors, mainly on greens and cyan.

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would it make any difference to the final output?

No. A final file will be the same, a final file. Imagine that you turn off your monitor when exporting. The file will be the same.

The question in reality is:

Am I previewing accurately the final output on my monitor?

The answer depends on a lot of factors.

• Are you really calibrating your equipment?

• Are you using your files for print or for electronic devices?

• Are these outputs really calibrated?

• Do you need a lot of detail on all the images?

• Does the final viewer care?

• What are the real characteristics of the monitor you are using?

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I would say. Some fictitious numbers:

• 90% of the population of the planet, they will not care.
• 9% like to think they care.
• .999% rally care.
• .0001% will really know the difference. You and probably your workmates.

What is your target audience?

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The only real way to know is actually immersing in the workflow comparing the two monitors, calibrating them, and comparing them to a calibrated print if necessary.

If the output is for the web, you are fine.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/es/photos/antelope-canyon-arenisca-ca%C3%B1%C3%B3n-1128815/