I think this will be my last post on the subject…
Once again :
when exporting an image with the IEC61966-2.1 sRGB profile, it does not have to embed this profile in the metadata of this file, in accordance with the standard!
An extract from the CIPA standard for Exif:
"B. - Tags Relating to ColorSpace
– ColorSpace
The color space information tag (ColorSpace) is always recorded as the color space specifier. Normally sRGB (=1) is used to define the color space based on the PC monitor conditions and environment. If a color space other than sRGB is used, Uncalibrated (=FFFF.H) is set"
In the ColorSpace exifs (tag A001), any image file tagged “1” has an sRGB profile. There is no need to embed this profile in the metadata: it is sRGB calibrated!.
For all other color profiles:
In the ColorSpace exifs (tag A001), any image file tagged “uncalibrated” in the ColorSpace exifs is not sRGB calibrated. The profile must then be embedded in a metadata section “ICC Profile”
Extract metadata from a PhotoLab 6 output file (jpeg for example) read by Photoshop:
1 - With an sRGB profile:
<exif:ColorSpace>1</exif:ColorSpace>
Photoshop says:
<photoshop:ICCProfile>sRGB IEC61966-2.1</photoshop:ICCProfile>
There is no “ICC profile” section in the metadata! And there’s no need for it, Photoshop wouldn’t even read it).
2 - With a profile other than sRGB, Adobe RGB for example:
<exif:ColorSpace>65535</exif:ColorSpace> (65535 = uncalibrated)
Since there is an “ICC Profile” section in the metadata, Photoshop says:
<photoshop:ICCProfile>Adobe RGB (1998)</photoshop:ICCProfile>
And Photoshop will use the profile embedded in the Exif to correctly display the image.
(I won’t get into the color management discussion as the functionality isn’t fully complete. I do note, however, that the [perceptual/relative] rendering intent is already present.)