Free LAB colorspace alternative to Photoshop

March 10, 2009 9:49 AM

I'm looking for a free alternative to Photoshop that supports a LAB colorspace-intensive workflow.

As I understand, GIMP supports LAB only via decomposition and recomposition, so one can't get instant feedback on how the changes look. The kinds of work I'd like to do are similar to what Margulis describes in The Canyon Conundrum. Are there products (or plugins) that would make this possible?

posted by philosophygeek to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Pirated Photoshop?

I mean, other than maybe Paint.net, I'm having a hard time thinking of any sort of full-featured image editor besides GIMP.
posted by Oktober at 10:30 AM on March 10

I'm looking for a free alternative to Photoshop that supports a LAB colorspace-intensive workflow.

Absence of evidence does not blah blah blah, but I really don't think there are any. You may be able to purchase an older, much less expensive version of Photoshop; I don't really know how that works in re the license's validity, etc.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 10:49 AM on March 10

I use LAB color a fair amount and I don't think there is anything other than Photoshop. If you want to do serious work you need a serious tool.
posted by bradbane at 11:01 AM on March 10

Having just read about LAB color spaces, maybe you could look through the Gimp Advanced Guide and use the tools available? Or are you focused on using LAB with free software? If so, why?
posted by filthy light thief at 11:14 AM on March 10

perhaps krita or cinepaint will meet your requirements.
posted by dirm at 7:57 PM on March 10

While any tool that works in LAB and offers curves on the A&B channels will work, a lot of Margulis' other colorspace techniques are based on the peculiarities of the way Photoshop works. I'd be leery about trying to do a lot of them in other tools.

Glad to see his books getting some recognition
posted by Brainy at 10:07 PM on March 14