srgb or adobe rgb?

In short, Yes.

Adobe RGB has a much wider colour gamut than sRGB which is primarily intended for web display.
 
In short - probably not.

It all depends on what you're planning on doing with the exported images. If they're intended for the web, or printing via one of the big online photo printers, then you're better off using sRGB. If you're printing them yourself and you understand colour management, or you're using a print service that demands it, or uploading to Alamy, then you're better off using aRGB.

If you're shooting raw then it matters not one jot you set the camera to use.
 
Use Adobe RGB and convert if necessary. Why use a smaller gamut initially - it makes no sense.
 
All my work flow is either raw or ProPhoto (for example if I edit a file in CS4 from LR2 then it uses ProPhoto). It is only when I export for printing that I will use a profile dependant on the final intended use.

That way my images retain the maximum gamut until the very end....
 
The opposite to what's already been said. Unless you know of a reason not too then always export as sRGB. Unless your end user (printer or whatever) knows what to do with aRGB it'll just look horribly desaturated
 
Another one for sRGB, based on the fact that you are exporting and therefore probably intending them for use on the web or electronic viewing of some kind.

If you are exporting to submit to a printer, check with them which format they want, but as suggested all but the pro labs and major stock sites like Alamy will want sRGB (IIRC you were submitting to stock at some stage - so check with them which they prefer).

Set your edit function to export to PS Elements in ProPhoto
 
Short answer : If you need to ask then use sRGB.

Long answer :

sRGB is the "standard" for the web and is the "standard" for most printing services. Unless you have a good reason to shoot in Adobe RGB then sticking with sRGB keeps things simpler all round.

If you shoot to raw then it doesn't matter which setting you have in camera. raw files don't have a colour space. The decision only needs to be made at the time of conversion/save to JPEG or TIFF. If you are saving for the web then save to sRGB. If you are saving for print then also save to sRGB unless your printer (device or service) wants Adobe RGB. There is one small caveat to this - the preview image recorded in the camera is affected by the chosen colour space, even though the raw data isn't. This may have an impact on the histogram which the camera displays. Some say that shooting with the camera set to Adobe RGB will yield a more accurate histogram. They may well be right, but since other considerations such as white balance and picture processing adjustments (sharpness, contrast, saturation etc.) have an effect as well you could end up chasing your tail.

If you shoot to JPEG and choose to shoot in Adobe RGB, even though ultimately you will end up with sRGB files, that is a poor approach since you already have a limited 8 bit tonal range and will waste some of it storing colours which ultimately will not be displayable. If you shoot straight to sRGB then you will use those limited data bits more wisely, leaving more data with which to more accurately record luminance variations within gamut rather than unreproduceable colours outside it. This can give you files which are a little more forgiving when pushed and pulled.
 
Another vote for sRGB.

Adobe RGB is a much, much bigger colour profile, so is technically more accurate. But, there are very few printers, or even monitors which can take advantage of aRGB.

The main thing is to keep it consistent though. Make sure your camera, PP software and printer are all the same.
 
Thanks everyone - sorry was away for a few days so not able to check the replies.

I am shooting in raw and this specific photo (the one that prompted this query) was to be uploaded to photographersdirect (they ask for a low res image in the first instance). Usually I would be exporting for them or Alamy or for my own use.

Thanks for all the input and opinions - not as simple as I first thought!
 
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