OT: Why do browsers mess up PNG images?

musicvid10 wrote on 8/8/2010, 10:26 AM

Both Firefox and IE display my PNG images much darker than they were created. Unacceptably so. I have tried both Irfanview and QT plugins in Firefox. Results are the same, and IE is no better. Results are the same with local files as well as on the server.

Anyone have a technical explanation why they can't just look like they do in any normal viewer? My monitor is calibrated to within a gnat's a**.

Comments

Steve Mann wrote on 8/8/2010, 1:53 PM

Were the png files created on a Mac? Black is different on a Mac than a PC.

musicvid10 wrote on 8/8/2010, 4:40 PM

Nope. Right out of Photoshop. Nothing added.

(edited, see below).

TheHappyFriar wrote on 8/8/2010, 5:39 PM

I've read that png's can have their own gamma(???) info.

That's what I've read.... :)

musicvid10 wrote on 8/8/2010, 6:30 PM

Well, I lied.

It's only PNGs saved in my old version of Photoshop. Their really dark in both browsers. I'll have to check out the tags per your suggestion.

musicvid10 wrote on 8/8/2010, 7:13 PM

Well, that wasn't too hard to figure out once Friar pointed me in the right direction.
Removing the gamma tag did the trick, in both browsers.
http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?locale=de&forumId=1&comments_parentId=366955

i c e wrote on 8/8/2010, 7:59 PM

PNG's are always a real PITA. getting them to come out right can be very tricky. have you messed around with a CMYK pallet over a RBG? I seem to get more consistent colors that way.

peace