exclusively with RGB images for Web or on-screen user interfaces. With the
default Photoshop settings, #FF0000 will actually display as #FB0018, and
#BB95FF will display as #BA98FD. The differences are subtle but definitely
there.
How Does Photoshop Differ from OS X and Windows?
OS X’s color management is applied to the entire display at the very end of
the processing chain, after the main buffer in video ram. This means that
although color management is applied, the software utilities that measure
color on screen (like /Utilities/DigitalColor Meter) will report the same
values that you have saved in the file or entered as your code. I believe the
color management in Windows Vista and Windows 7 (Windows Color
System) works in a similar fashion.
Photoshop’s color management is applied only to the image portion of its
windows and to the files it saves. This color correction happens as
Photoshop draws the image on screen, so software utilities that measure
color on screen often report different colors from the ones you have
specified. It’s worth noting that OS X’s color management is applied on top
of Photoshop’s.
The best solution I’ve found is to disable Photoshop’s color management
for RGB documents as much as possible. Doing so forces the RGB colors
that are on screen and saved to the file to match the actual color value. If
you need to calibrate your monitor for Web and app design work, then you
would best be served by changing it at the OS level.
Disabling color management used to be quite easy in Photoshop CS2 and
all versions prior, but it now requires a little more skill.