How do you address color space differences between capture, editing, and output devices?

• A. Always work in sRGB for all projects and skip calibration.
• B. Use a consistent working color space (e.g., Adobe RGB or ProPhoto), calibrate monitors, soft-proof for print, and embed correct ICC profiles.
• C. Never calibrate monitors; rely on memory.
• D. Use only embedded profiles for display devices and ignore soft-proofing.

Answer: (B)

Color management across capture, editing, and output hinges on controlling how colors move through the workflow. The best approach is to pick a defined working color space (such as Adobe RGB or ProPhoto), keep edits within that space to preserve color information, calibrate and profile your monitors so what you see reflects reality, use soft-proofing to simulate how colors will appear in print, and embed the correct ICC profiles in your final files so every device interprets colors consistently.

Choosing a consistent working space lets you retain the full range of color data while editing, instead of continually clipping to the display’s or output device’s limits. Monitor calibration aligns the on-screen colors with a known standard, so adjustments you make translate accurately to other devices. Soft-proofing lets you preview and adjust colors specifically for the print or output medium, anticipating gamut limitations and ensuring better match in the final result. Embedding ICC profiles ensures that when the image is viewed or printed on different devices, those devices interpret the color information in the intended way.

Options that suggest only using sRGB for everything or skipping calibration undermine color fidelity and restrict editing latitude. Relying solely on embedded profiles for display and skipping soft-proofing neglects how prints and other devices handle color, leading to surprises in the final output.