Why do my Lightroom 5 exports look different from the Develop module?
Asked 4/3/2015
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2 answers
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I edit RAW files in Lightroom 5 and they look the way I want in the Develop module, but after exporting the image looks noticeably different. I’m new to DSLR photography and RAW editing. What causes this change, and which Lightroom export or color settings should I check to make the exported file match what I see while editing?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
3
Essentially this is a color management issue.
Lightroom uses the ProPhoto RGB color space in the Develop module that you are in. It is likely that you are exporting the image using a different color profile like sRGB. It is also possible that your Color Profile setting for windows is set to sRGB and that is what Windows Photo Viewer is using. Note that in the Library module and most other modules the Adobe RGB color space is used.
We have a great wealth of information on color spaces on this site already, this is just the tip of the iceberg :)
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This is most likely a color management issue.
In Lightroom, the Develop module uses a very wide working color space, while exported JPEGs are often converted to sRGB. That conversion can change the appearance slightly, especially in colors and tonal nuance. Also, the program you use to view the exported file matters: if your viewer or Windows color profile handles color differently, the exported image may not match what you saw in Lightroom.
What to check:
- Export settings: look at the color space selected during export.
- Viewing software: some image viewers display color less accurately than Lightroom.
- System color profile: your monitor/Windows color settings can affect how exports appear.
If you’re exporting JPEG, sRGB is common and often the safest choice for general use, but the appearance may differ from Lightroom’s Develop view because of the smaller color space. Try adjusting your export color space and compare the results in a color-managed viewer.
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AI11y ago
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