Color management/output profile when outputting master?

Adobe After Effects

Color management/output profile when outputting master?

Posted by Kristin Maling on January 23, 2015 at 7:20 pm

Hello.

I’m just wondering if anyone could lend some advice with regards to color management when outputting your master?

I’ll be outputting my master as Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), but I’m not really sure what I should be setting as my output profile (within the Color Management tab)? Since this is a master, there isn’t a specific device to target. So, based on my print background, I’d assume I’d just want to choose a profile with a large color gamut. For example, when I’m creating a “master” print file (say, a retouched, color corrected photograph), I typically work in Adobe RGB (1998) and tag the master with the same profile. But, I’m not 100% if this is the same with video?

Right now, my workflow is as follows (in After Effects):

– Depth = 32bpc
– Working Space = ProPhoto RGB
– Linearize Working Space = Checked

As well, I have the correct color profiles assigned to my assets (where possible).

Is ProPhoto RGB the best profile for my Working Space? Or is there a better “industry standard” that I should be using?

If outputting to Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) as my master format, should I just leave the Output Profile as “Working Space — ProPhoto RGB”, or should I be choosing something else?

Finally—since Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) doesn’t actually support embedded profiles, is this going to cause any issues?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kristin.

Kristin Maling replied 11 years, 6 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
2 Replies

Walter Soyka
January 24, 2015 at 1:41 am

Your working space doesn’t really matter, provided it’s large enough to contain all the colors you intend to use.

ProRes 422 should probably be Rec. 709.

Walter Soyka
Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
@keenlive | RenderBreak [blog] | Profile [LinkedIn]
Kristin Maling
January 26, 2015 at 4:28 pm

OK, so the working space doesn’t really matter—but, if I’m going to be producing ProRes 422 (HQ) masters, retaining as much colour as possible, is there a “suggested” working space? Again, with print, Adobe RGB (1998) and ProPhoto RGB are the “standard” colour spaces when dealing with master images (not that there’s an actual “standard”…rather “the most commonly accepted/used for working with large gamuts”…). Is there an equivalent when working with video?

Also, I’m a little confused on your final comment…

“ProRes 422 should probably be Rec. 709”

Are you saying that I should use Rec 709 as the output profile when outputting my ProRes 422 master?

Thanks again,
Kristin.

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