Understanding Photoshops Color Modes

The color modes and color models of digital imaging seem to be a mystery to many first learning to use Photoshop. Many are so intimidated by the various color modes that they simply ignore the issue because they do not understand the impact color modes can have on the final printed image.

The color modes establish the color model that should be applied to display and print digital pictures. Understanding color modes and models and how to utilize them in Photoshop is a must for those who are serious about professional quality digital imaging. Learn what color modes will work best for different application to optimize results. Many good Photoshop tutorials and training guides are available to instruct on when and how to use the various color modes for achieving the best image depending on your particular project.

Before you even begin working with the color modes in Photoshop it is a good idea to have a basic understanding of what the color modes are and why there are different models.

Digital images are displayed using several different color modes. The following are the main basic color modes you will encounter when working with digital images.

RGB

RGB stands re Red Green and Blue. In the RGB color mode colors are created by mixing these three primary colors. You are basically working in three color channels in RBG mode and you can adjust the intensity of each channel to obtain various degrees of colors. White is made by combining all of the three colors.

CMYK

CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and black. RGB produces colors by mixing them together, while CMYK in effect creates color by subtracting varying degrees of each color. For example, to produce white, all colors would be reduced to zero.

You will see huge improvements in your digital imaging once you understand and are familiar with color modes. One important tip is that printers use CMYK color while monitors use RGB. This can result in there sometimes being a difference in what you see on your PC monitor and what is printed on paper. You can overcome this by installing software that will calibrate your monitor colors to that of your printer. By doing this, what you see on your monitor will be an accurate depiction of what your printer will produce.