Quote by ViciousDeliciousWell, this is probably the first time I meet an amateur talking about Lab color system on the web site like this one. Don't feel offended by the "amateur" word, since based on your declaration I have the right to assume that you are one. Unless I'm wrong - then I apologize.
My major is commercial art, therefore, graphic design, publishing as well as the digital photography fall into my program of studies. If you'd go into those majors you'd certainly learn that Lab or L*a*b* is one of the finest color systems. It is considered as the ideal color system among most (if not all) Pros who deal with editing images (but not only). However there is a "BUT"... I
encourage you to read more about Lab color system, 'cause probably my opinion would mean less than nothing to you.
Although, there is no point for you or anyone to use Lab when working in Photoshop. Why is that? Because none of your devices can display the real Lab color gamut. If you haven't noticed, all of the devices that "emit" colors, such as computer monitors they display the colors using RGB color system... then please tell me how is it possible for a RGB device to switch into Lab? It's like asking a device to speak in unknown language. The color gamut is being limited by the capability if the monitor etc. Same with printing images done in Lab color systems - none of them will resemble the true Lab colors because none of the printers can work in Lab, but CMYK.
The scientists are still working on creating devices that would "communicate" between each other, so using the Lab color system would be possible. Until then, Lab color system is just an ideal system, however can't be fully displayed. I hope that it makes sense.
Haha, yes, I am an amateur, and I take no offense! It's cool that you replied! and stuff. um... I'm pretty sure I
understand what you're trying to say, and sorry if I'm misinterpreting your words.
So, I understand that monitors can't actually display all the colors (especially since I work on the original NDS a lot), and you provide a valid point that it's not practical in commercial use. I know that at my sister's company, they specify colors with pantone swatches instead of how it looks on screen and stuff. And especially on a wallpaper site where the art is made specifically for the screen there's really no point at all for using Lab if no one, even the one making the image, can't see all the colors. (Not to mention everyone's eyes see different colors, while the eye can see more than the monitor can display, everyone also views colors slightly differently and some people can't see all colors...)
However, I disagree on your point that there is no point in using Lab at all, at least in during the painting process. The colors do blend noticeably differently than when using RGB... I don't really know how to explain it, but like... RGB complements blend to grey but brown on in traditional paint... and in Lab it just sort of changes hue without really getting darker and has some weird luminescent effect.
Ultimately what I'm getting at is that I'm not so much concerned about the final output since I am just an amateur and mostly make art for recreation anyway, but rather enjoy a different way of blending colors. I think. xD
Thanks for your imput!
