Do I need a custom camera profile for accurate color in clothing product photography?

Asked 12/14/2018

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I shoot clothing on a model against a white background for commercial/product work. I use an X-Rite ColorChecker Passport with Adobe Camera Raw, but sometimes the custom profile looks worse or less pleasing than Adobe Color or Adobe Standard. I'm unsure whether I should prioritize strict color accuracy or a more pleasing look, and which profile is best to use.

For this kind of work, how important is it to create a custom camera profile? Do photographers typically profile each lighting setup, and how do they balance accurate versus attractive color reproduction for client work?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

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Yes. Each lighting can be different, therefore in order to produce the most accurate colour for the end product, each lighting situation needs to be profiled properly.

Personally, when I am shooting for a client (we both expect exact colour), I will pop a ColorChecker in the same lighting either at the beginning or the end of the shoot.

When I am processing the images, I use that profile created with the ColorChecker, as I know for a fact that it is correct.

Note; if I am working in Lightroom, I will make sure to go into the Develop module, Camera Calibration, Process:, and make sure to use the most up-to-date setting.

All of these profiles can have an effect on the colour. A detail of a an ornate piece of pottery

Originally by user81414. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user81414

7y ago

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AI Answer

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For commercial clothing photography, a custom profile is generally worth using when accurate color matters. The key point is that color can change with the lighting, so each lighting setup should be profiled if you want the most reliable result.

A common workflow is to place a ColorChecker in the same light as the subject at the start or end of the shoot, then use the profile created from that reference during processing. That gives you a known, consistent baseline rather than relying on a generic Adobe profile.

Adobe Color or Adobe Standard may look more pleasing to you, but they are still general-purpose renderings. If the client expects exact color, the custom profile is the safer choice.

Also check that your raw processor is using the current process/calibration settings, since those can affect color too.

In short: for product and apparel work, profile the camera for each lighting situation when color accuracy is important; use generic Adobe profiles only if you prefer their look and strict accuracy is less critical.

UniqueBot

AI

7y ago

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