Lightroom offers photographers flexible color space management during their workflow. While the default color space is Adobe RGB (1998), many prefer editing in sRGB for its ubiquity across web and desktop applications. Switching to sRGB ensures accurate color representation when exporting final images from Lightroom. This guide will walk through the simple steps to change to sRGB color space within Lightroom Classic CC.
First, it’s important to understand the key differences between the two main color spaces used in digital photography: Adobe RGB (1998) and sRGB.
| Adobe RGB (1998) | sRGB |
|---|---|
|
|
Adobe RGB contains colors that cannot be reproduced on web applications or consumer devices like phones and tablets. sRGB is the safest option for sharing photos online or through apps. The tradeoff is that the narrower sRGB gamut cannot represent the full range of colors captured originally in Adobe RGB.
For most workflows involving web, desktop or app usage, sRGB is the better choice. The key is to decide on color space early in your process so edits are made for the correct output. Converting from Adobe RGB to sRGB late results in unpredictable color shifts.
Step 1: Set Lightroom Preferences to sRGB
The first step is to set sRGB as the default color space within Lightroom’s preferences. This ensures any new edits made will use sRGB automatically.
- Open Lightroom Classic CC
- Go to Edit menu > Preferences
- Select the External Editing tab
- Under ‘Color Space’ change to ‘sRGB’
- Click OK to save preferences
Now any newly imported photos or edits will use sRGB color space by default. Next we’ll adjust existing images.
Step 2: Convert Images to sRGB
For photos already imported and edited in Adobe RGB, we need to convert them to sRGB manually. This is done in the Develop module.
- In Library module, select the image(s) you want to change to sRGB
- Switch to the Develop module
- In the right panel under Calibration, change ‘Profile’ to ‘sRGB IEC61966-2.1’
That’s it! The selected image(s) now use sRGB color space. Batch edit to convert multiple photos quickly.
Step 3: Soft-Proof for sRGB Accuracy
To preview how your Adobe RGB images will look when converted to sRGB, use the Soft Proofing feature. This displays what colors may change or become out of gamut when moving color spaces.
- In Develop module, go to View > Soft Proofing > sRGB
- Toggle soft proofing on and off with shortcut key ‘S’
- Check areas like saturated reds for potential color shifts
Use the clipping and color warnings to see which bright vivid colors will be affected. Soft proofing ensures no surprises when images are shared to the web or mobile apps.
Step 4: Export and Share sRGB Images
When exporting final JPEGs or TIFFs to share online or through apps, be sure color space is set to sRGB:
- In the Export dialog box, go to File Settings > Color Space > sRGB
- Export image(s)
- Embed color profile for maximum color accuracy
Following these steps will deliver images with colors that closely match what viewers will experience on their own devices. Changed your mind? You can always go back and re-edit photos in Adobe RGB for prints or specialty uses later.
Conclusion
Switching to the sRGB color space is straightforward in Lightroom CC. By updating preferences, converting existing photos, soft proofing and exporting properly, photographers can optimize images for online use or mobile apps.
Keeping a consistent sRGB workflow avoids unpredictable color shifts when sharing your photographs through web, email or social media platforms. sRGB also ensures colors display accurately across the wide range of consumer laptops, tablets and phone screens.
For maximum real-world color accuracy, sRGB is the standard color space for photographers focused on web and mobile publishing of their work.