Thank you, Elle, for the extremely detailed answer. I clearly have some reading on color management to do, however the impression I get is that not converting to sRBG is no free lunch.
So let me ask a few more things. First, for “quick and dirty” image editing, suppose I import a sRGB image (say from Lightroom or another raw developer), convert to the native GIMP space, and see no real changes in the image. In this case I gather the following procedure is correct.
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Save the assigned (GIMP sRGB) profile to disk as myprofile.icc via “Image/Color Management/Save color profile to file.”
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Use Image/Color Management/Convert to Color Profile on myprofile.icc to force GIMP to embed the file.
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Save file the disk.
Will this force GIMP to embed the profile and give “technically correct” results?
You should interpret this questions as, “What are the best practices for color management assuming I am happy with the conversion to the native space?”
Second, which of the GIMP conversion options should I use for best results? There are four in the dialog box I see when I open an image.
Third, if I for some reason am not happy with the conversion to GIMP space, you say “there are issues to face and decisions to make.” What can be done in this case?
Finally, does editing 16-bit tiff files introduce any new complications in color management compared to 8-bit jpegs?
Thanks again for all the help and information.
edit: Let me add one more.
I am considering getting some photos printed (mostly as a test run for future printings to check color). Many labs I have looked at require sRGB files, but they do not say which sRGB. I am guessing sRGB IEC61966-2.1 as this is the Lightroom default and the sRGB specified by Nations Photo Lab.
So, how close is the GIMP space to sRGB IEC61966-2.1?