Hello everyone, I am currently learning about color management. My previous workflow involved using 3DLut Creator to calibrate colors, then proceeding to Photoshop for processing. However, I recently discovered RawTherapee, which seamlessly integrated into my workflow, eliminating the need to switch to Photoshop. However, an issue arose: while 3DLut Creator allows direct use of preset color calibrations, RawTherapee requires DCP or ICC profiles. I created some DCPs, but found that under extreme color conditions, they caused color banding, and the color transitions weren’t as smooth as with 3DLut Creator. So I started researching ICC. However, ICC seems to require using the Linear Response Curve in Capture One; otherwise, it causes extremely high contrast after calibration. How should I proceed in RawTherapee? Or are there any other methods? Thank you for your answers. I used a translator, so please excuse any language inaccuracies.
Welcome to the forum!
Firstoff, I don’t use RawTherapee, so any input I’m going to provide will be more generic. So, first question, how specifically are you ‘calibrating’ color wtih 3DLUTCreator? What do you use as a calibration reference?
In my workflow, that calibration is done with the camera profile. I use ICC profiles, and what I make sure of is that they’re linear, that is, the don’t apply a tone curve. Easiest way to do that is, if the profile software has a ‘gamma’ option, just set it to 1.0 and while the tone curve will still be applied, each number put into the transform comes out as the same number. For some reason, Capture 1 camera profiles are supposed to do a non-linear tone curve, but if you’re not using that software you shouldn’t have to worry that.
I make my own camera profiles, and they are calibrated with either a ColorChecker target shot or with actual spectral measurements of my cameras. One good thing about spectral profiles is that you can train them with whatever color reference you want, provided you have the measurements. I usually use the ColorChecker reference file, but I recently made a profile with a skin-tone dataset and found it interesting how the subtle improvement was actually ‘significant’. My spectral profiles use a LUT to do the color transform, which probably doesn’t mean much using the ColorChecker 24-patch set, but I think it helped the skin-tone reference do its thing.
If the above doesn’t translate well, let me know with questions…
I think HaldCLUTs can be applied in RawTherapee via Film Simulation.
I recall opening an Identity HaldCLUT and applying a previously-created PP3 to it, then saving it for later use in Film Simulation.
Anybody?
Standard process is presented here…
Color Management addon - RawPedia.
Did you try the Adobe DCP files or just your own…just curious if you found them lacking too…