Colour space
Definition
A defined mapping between numerical RGB values and real-world colours. sRGB is the web default with a smaller gamut; Adobe RGB covers a wider gamut; ProPhoto RGB is used in high-end workflows. Conversion between spaces alters pixel values and can mask noise patterns.
Related terms
- Bayer CFA
- A colour filter array arranged in a repeating 2×2 mosaic of red, green (×2), and blue filters over the sensor. Each photosite...
- Demosaicing
- The interpolation step that reconstructs all three colour channels at every pixel from the single-channel Bayer mosaic. The algorithm used is camera-specific...
- Fixed-pattern noise (FPN)
- Any repeatable, spatially correlated noise in an image sensor, as opposed to random shot noise. PRNU and DCNU are both forms of...
- JPEG compression
- A lossy codec that divides an image into 8×8 pixel blocks, applies the discrete cosine transform, quantises the coefficients, and entropy-codes the...
- RAW format
- A camera capture format that records unprocessed sensor data, preserving all original exposure and colour information. RAW files are preferred over JPEG...
Explained in
- Digital Image Fundamentals: Pixels, Sensors, and FormatsA defined mapping between numerical RGB values and real-world colours. sRGB is the web default with a smaller gamut; Adobe RGB covers a wider gamut; ProPhoto R...