‍ChatGPTInterviewer: Paying particular attention to the project, you mentioned a complex set of color profiles that integrate between DCP profiles and XMP profiles. What is the intent of this system?

Simone Bassani (simulated): The intent was to create a system that offered maximum flexibility and color quality for photographers. The DCP profiles are the basis on which we work to ensure color rendition is as faithful as possible to the real scene, but also to allow photographers to optimize the file differently from the moment it is opened. XMP profiles, on the other hand, are like "veils" placed on top of DCPs, and add a stylistic and quick correction component with logic derived from experience in various areas of photography and pre-press. These two profiles together allow for a very wide range of results, customizable to the photographic genre or style of the photographer.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: How do DCP and XMP profiles work together? Can you explain more about this concept of "veils"?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Sure. DCP profiles are the technical basis: they define how the camera interprets color and how it translates it into a developed file. Depending on how they are constructed, these profiles can give very different results, both in terms of hue and color gamut. XMP profiles, on the other hand, act as an additional layer, a kind of filter that you apply on top of the DCP. Using Adobe Lightroom's profile slider, photographers can dose the effect of XMPs and achieve the desired result extremely quickly. In essence, the DCP provides technical precision, while the XMP offers the freedom to add a creative touch, speed up correction, or add technical features to basic profiles that development software does not allow.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So the photographer can adapt the final result according to his needs with minimal effort?

Simone Bassani (simulated): That's right. The system is designed to give photographers maximum control, but also to simplify the workflow. With DCP profiles, you get a solid, consistent color base, but with XMPs you can vary the style of the image without wasting time. If you are working on an art project and want to build your style from scratch, DCP gives you that freedom. If, on the other hand, you need to optimize time, especially in commercial settings, XMP gives you an almost ready-made result that you can further customize with a slider and a few clicks.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: In terms of practicality, how much time can you actually save with this system compared to a workflow based on standard color profiles?

Simone Bassani (simulated): The time savings are enormous. If you only use standard color profiles, you often have to spend a lot of time in post-production, especially when there are color dominance or consistency problems between different lights. With TheSpack, much of the correction work has already been done upstream. The photographer starts with a file that is already color-optimized, so additional corrections can be avoided. In more complex projects, the DCP-XMP system can reduce post-production time from hours to minutes, allowing the photographer to focus on other aspects of the work. We also keep in mind that TheSpack profiles work the same way on different cameras and can be synchronized with each other, so it becomes easy to move your settings around and develop multiple files at the same time without limitations.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: That sounds like a great convenience to me. What about color fidelity, how do you manage to ensure such accurate color rendering compared to other systems?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Color fidelity is one of the strengths of TheSpack. Unlike many standard profiles, which often interpret color automatically and sometimes inaccurately, TheSpack works to reproduce color exactly. The process outlined above has led to a maximum extension of the gamut of the profile with a focus on blues and greens allowing for absolute hue neutrality. In addition, the work that is done allows for the recovery of detail and texture in the reds while preserving chromatic errors and especially reducing false aberrations that are created in the demosaicing of the file.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: Consistency of results a big advantage for those working with multiple machines. How do DCP profiles contribute to this color fidelity?

Simone Bassani (simulated): DCP profiles are the basis for everything. Each profile is designed to respond to specific shooting conditions, and we can create variants that handle color deviations or expand the tonal range as needed. For example, some DCP profiles are better at preserving intense colors, others focus on the linearity of the curve, still others act by preserving hue deviation, and others work exclusively perceptually. This allows the photographer to choose the profile best suited to the scene he or she is shooting, always achieving the best possible color result.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So each profile meets specific needs. Could you give me some concrete examples of how photographers use these profiles in different work situations?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Absolutely. Each profile is created and tested to respond to specific shooting conditions. For example, some profiles do not compensate for tonal deviation, focusing rather on saturation, perfect for photographers working with intense colors. Other profiles focus on pure color, while we also have profiles based on a perceptual approach, which optimize color based on how it is perceived by the human eye. A concrete example concerns the MotoGP and Formula 1 sports photographers, who use different cameras and were experiencing significant color deviations between the colors of car and motorcycle liveries. With TheSpack, they were able to achieve consistent results, drastically reducing post-production time and improving the final quality of the work. But that's not all. Thanks to the color extension of the profiles, they were able to reproduce the colors of all brands without having to intervene in file corrections. This consistency made it possible to keep the results unchanged over time and as the illuminants changed, leaving them focused on their work. For some of them we developed specific dedicated solutions that could solve their workflow in just a few clicks.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: It is fascinating to see how TheSpack has improved their performance. Do you have other examples of how the system has helped photographers in other areas, such as landscapes or reportage?

Simone Bassani (simulated): In the field of landscape photography, for example, photographers have particularly appreciated TheSpack 's ability to capture subtle hues and increase the depth of colors without sacrificing the legibility of details, even in the most difficult lighting conditions. This allowed them to obtain high-quality images, ready to be uploaded to portals or sold to magazines. Most importantly, it allowed them to save time and increase the final quality of the product in a market in which the international landscape has strong competition. In reportage, on the other hand, some photographers have managed to maintain a unique stylistic consistency thanks to our profiles. This has helped them gain international recognition for their work, as TheSpack has enabled them to achieve the tonal and color accuracy they have long sought. Wedding photographers have also seen a marked improvement: they can now guarantee impeccable color quality in all conditions, achieving consistent results and minimizing post-shoot corrections, but most importantly, in the cases of top international photographers, the results obtained with TheSpack have enabled them to faithfully reproduce the colors of the gowns and environments, restoring the proper value to the work of so many professionals working months to complete a single project.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So what is the main advantage that TheSpack offers photographers and businesses?

Simone Bassani (simulated): The main merit of TheSpack is the minimization of the color difference between the digital file and reality. This means that, regardless of the camera used, the end result tends to be consistent, faithful and homogeneous at all times. The photographer can therefore switch from one camera model to another, or even from one brand to another, without having to completely overhaul his workflow or change the development parameters he has been using up to that point.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: And how does this affect agencies and companies?

Simone Bassani (simulated): For agencies and companies, color consistency is a huge advantage. They can capture images from different photographers, using different cameras, and process them all using the same development parameters. This ensures color consistency and fidelity across all projects, minimizing the time spent on color adaptation based on the device used. The result is a much more streamlined and standardized workflow, which simplifies post-production and ensures that all images are color consistent.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: Ultimately, how does TheSpack contribute to improving work efficiency?

Simone Bassani (simulated): In summary, TheSpack not only simplifies work for individual photographers by allowing them to use the same development tool independent of the camera, but also makes image management more efficient and consistent in professional settings.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: Ultimately, making a color profile for a RAW file can be simple or extremely complex, but making TheSpack required even more extensive analysis. How far has the latest version released today gone?

Simone Bassani (simulated): I would say we are at a good point, but the evolution is continuous and constantly stems from new ideas and advances in technology. Today, with TheSpack, we have a solid reference, a top-notch proprietary chart, a structured shooting system, a well-defined processing workflow and, crucially, a robust validation protocol. But what really makes the difference is our network of professionals, who provide us with crucial feedback to optimize and maximize the potential of the profiles we develop.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So the involvement of professionals is central to development?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Absolutely. Working with professionals allows us to field test the profiles extensively, gaining crucial input to continuously improve and refine the product. It is through their feedback that we can ensure the highest level of quality and consistency in our profiles.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: And how do you integrate aesthetic research into the process?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Another fundamental pillar of our progress is the research of Giulia, which focuses on new aesthetic canons and the evolution of social dynamics related to photography. In parallel, I deal with the technical side, particularly the integration of non-binary mathematical logics, such as Fuzzy Logic, which has allowed us to introduce innovative concepts into our work. This dual approach has allowed us to achieve results that, just a few years ago, would have seemed impossible.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: A direct and sometimes uncomfortable question then arises: does TheSpack have any certification, is it a trusted market standard, is it recognized by any certification company?

Simone Bassani (mock): (laughs) Well, I know what you're getting at! Many developers advertise the relevance and compliance of their products with FADGI and Metamorfoze standards, particularly according to ISO 19264-1:2017 for cultural heritage reproduction. However, we seek clarity. We do not certify TheSpack commercial profiles according to these standards, nor will we ever do so. It is not in our interest to do so. The reason is simple: a color profile is only a small part of a complex system, and it is not possible to certify it in isolation in accordance with ISO 19264-1:2017, FADGI or Metamorfoze. These standards apply to the entire digitization process, which includes not only color profiles, but also capture devices, environmental conditions, and operational practices. To claim to certify only one color profile to these standards is an extreme oversimplification and, in our opinion, incorrect.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: Interesting point of view. Could you elaborate on how these standards are actually applied and what role color profiles play in the context of an FADGI and Metamorfoze-compliant digitization system?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Sure. The Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI) and Metamorfoze standards are guidelines used primarily for the digitization of cultural property, such as books, documents, photographs, and works of art, with the goal of ensuring faithful and lasting reproduction of digitized materials. FADGI, for example, ranks image quality in four levels, from the lowest (1 star) to the highest (4 stars), and defines strict technical criteria such as resolution, white balance, color accuracy, noise and dynamic range. Metamorfoze, similar to FADGI, focuses on the same areas and sets precise requirements for image quality, but is applied primarily in Europe. Both standards are based on ISO 19264-1:2017, which defines requirements for image quality in cultural heritage digitization. However, these standards do not certify individual elements, such as a color profile or software, but rather the entire acquisition system, which includes cameras, scanners, lighting, software, and working conditions.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So, you are saying that it is not possible to certify a color profile as conforming to FADGI or Metamorfoze in isolation, but that it has to be part of a larger system?

Simone Bassani (simulated): That's right. Certifying only a color profile according to FADGI or Metamorfoze does not make sense, because these standards apply to the entire image acquisition and management process. Factors such as the stability of lighting conditions, instrument calibration, sensor resolution, tonal reproduction, and dynamic range of the acquisition system must be evaluated. In practice, a color profile is only one component within a much larger system. To be certain that a digitization complies with these standards, all the elements involved, including capture devices, software, and even environmental conditions, need to be stable, calibrated, and verified on an ongoing basis. The certification process is therefore about an integrated system that ensures maximum fidelity over time.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: In light of this, do you think it is wrong when other companies promote their products' compliance with these standards?

Simone Bassani (simulated): It depends on the context in which this compliance is promoted. If a company claims that a single component, such as software or a color profile, is FADGI or Metamorfoze compliant, then it is misleading. FADGI and Metamorfoze certify the entire digitization process, not individual components. In a digitization process that conforms to these standards, the color profile plays an important role, but it cannot be isolated from the rest of the system. Rather, the correct message would be that a particular acquisition system or digitization solution is designed to be FADGI or Metamorfoze compliant, provided the right operating practices are followed and control and calibration parameters are maintained. In fact, there are specific companies that provide measurement, calibration, analysis and illumination tools that conform to the application of these standards, and specific charts are also required and results must be analyzed and validated for the entire system in place.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: Since TheSpack is not certified to these standards, how do you ensure the accuracy and quality of your profiles anyway?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Although TheSpack is not certified according to FADGI or Metamorfoze, our approach to profile creation is equally rigorous. Our goal is always to provide color profiles that offer accurate and consistent reproduction across a wide range of situations. We consider the requirements of color accuracy and color fidelity as central to our development, not limiting ourselves to rigid standards but embracing the real complexity of the photographic workflow. We are also able to work in accordance with these standards as long as the client's capture system is certified and meets the necessary technical requirements. In other words, if a client has a system that is already FADGI or Metamorfoze compliant, our know-how allows us to produce a color profile that meets expectations by integrating existing development software and charts through in-depth data analysis.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: In conclusion, can TheSpack be integrated into a workflow that meets the highest quality standards, even without direct certification?

Simone Bassani (simulated): The key is to understand that certification is not about the individual color profile, but about the entire acquisition system. Specifically we have established internal benchmark standards that meet technical expectations and more importantly meet practical use in the field by our photographers. To get to this we have established verification parameters in terms of color tolerance that validate the output of each individual camera. In addition to this we can arrange for the optimization of each individual color profile in accordance with customer requirements by meeting the most restrictive parameters required. However, this operation is unrelated to our commercial package and primarily requires our verification of feasibility in accordance with the standards advocated by the client.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: Another question about the process of creating DCP profiles: on many sites you find technical details such as explaining matrices, mapping values, and comparing Delta E to existing profiles. Why do you not elaborate on these aspects in the same way?

Simone Bassani (simulated): (Laughs) It's simple: those technical details, however correct, are often not useful for the end customer. It's like taking a bus: the important thing is to arrive on time, not to know how the engine works. Similarly, the customer cares that the colors are consistent and accurate, not the technical specifications behind the profile.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So all this emphasis on technical data like Delta E is not relevant to the end user?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Exactly. We use formulas like Delta E to measure and correct colors, but it is not enough to certify a color profile definitively. It is just one tool among many. The key is to perform additional technical tests, both instrumental and empirical, to properly evaluate the profile. In this field, there is no single accepted standard, so the complexity of our approach is what makes the difference.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: Can you explain more about how the concept of Delta E relates to color management?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Delta E measures the perceived difference between two colors. There are several versions, such as the CIELAB ΔE\*ab and the more recent CIEDE2000 (ΔE₀₀). CIEDE2000 is more accurate in representing human perception of color, but by itself it is not sufficient to guarantee the quality of a color profile. It is useful for measuring differences, but it does not cover all aspects of color rendering under all conditions.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: Even using CIEDE2000, are there any other considerations?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Absolutely. The CIEDE2000 is a good reference because it takes into account parameters such as brightness (ΔL\*), chromaticity (ΔC\), and hue (ΔH\*), but it is not perfect in all situations, especially in extreme conditions such as very saturated or dark colors. It is a useful tool, but needs to be supplemented with other assessments.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: In summary, is Delta E just one part of the process?

Simone Bassani (simulated): That's right. Delta E formulas, such as CIEDE2000, are valuable, but they are not enough. Color consistency requires a more nuanced approach. For this, we combine mathematical tools with practical field tests. A profile must work not only on paper, but also under real-world conditions.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: You mentioned that color management systems are not always compatible with each other. Can you elaborate on that?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Each color management system has a specific purpose and cannot be easily translated into another. For example, CIELAB color space is perceptually uniform, so colors are more easily compared than spaces such as CIE RGB or XYZ, which focus on other properties. Therefore, when working with color, we need to maintain consistency in the chosen system.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: How does this relate to your technical and empirical testing?

Simone Bassani (simulated): We use various formulas for Delta E, such as CIELAB ΔE\*ab, CIEDE2000 (ΔE₀₀) and Delta E CMC (l:c), as needed. However, none of these formulas alone can guarantee that a profile will always work well. That is why we perform both technical and empirical tests, collaborating with photographers and professionals who verify how the profile performs under real-world conditions.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So, does your assessment go beyond simple technical data?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Exactly. Color management cannot be reduced to numbers. Of course, measurements such as Delta E are essential to monitor variations, but our work also includes practical testing. An acceptable Delta E value in the lab does not guarantee that the profile will work well under varying lighting conditions or on specific materials. Only by combining technical data and field tests can we create a profile that truly meets customer needs.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So color management requires both advanced tools and hands-on experience?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Exactly. It is a combination of science and practice. On the one hand there is objective data, such as Delta E, but on the other hand there is field experience, where human perception is equally important. Only by combining these two aspects can we ensure that a profile works best.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: How do you integrate feedback from professionals in improving your profiles?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Feedback from professionals is essential. Technical tests are accurate, but they do not cover all real conditions. Situations such as changing lighting or the material used can affect colors, and this is where professionals notice any problems. Their feedback allows us to revise and refine the profiles, making them more versatile and adaptable.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: How do you use this feedback to improve the profiles?

Simone Bassani (simulated): When we receive feedback from the field, we analyze specific details and compare them with our technical tests. If there are differences, we make changes to the profile, adjusting the color response curve or recalibrating the parameters. This allows us to create a more balanced profile that works well in different lighting conditions and materials, though not perfect in every situation.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: How do you handle the difference between human perception and instrumental measurements?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Human color perception is complex and variable, so we cannot rely on instrumental measurements alone. Measurements provide us with accurate data, but visual perception is influenced by many factors, such as lighting and adjacent colors. Our task is to minimize these differences and improve the overall quality of images, from textures to color gradients.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So a correct color profile can also improve the rendering of textures and details?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Yes, exactly. A well-balanced color profile not only corrects colors but also enhances details and visual depth. If a profile is too saturated or unbalanced, it can flatten textures. A correct profile, on the other hand, preserves fine details and micro-contrast, improving overall image quality.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So a well-optimized color profile doesn't just make colors more accurate, but also has an impact on overall image quality, including depth and detail?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Exactly. When a color profile is well balanced, it allows you to maintain a clear separation between color and texture areas, highlighting subtle details that might otherwise be lost. An unbalanced profile, with excessive saturations, can make colors look fuzzy and lacking in definition. In contrast, a well-calibrated profile provides better contrast between colors and more accurate rendering of textures, improving the overall perception of depth in the image.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: You've talked about sometimes having to sacrifice some color accuracy to get a better overall balance. How do you handle those kinds of trade-offs?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Yes, it often happens that we have to find a balance. Sometimes, a profile that is extremely precise in a specific situation will not perform as well in other conditions, such as different illuminations or materials. In these cases, we prefer to create more flexible profiles that provide acceptable color rendering in multiple contexts, even at the cost of a small loss of accuracy under ideal conditions. This approach ensures that the profile works well in real-world situations, where versatility is more important than technical perfection in the laboratory.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: How do you find the balance between precision and flexibility?

Simone Bassani (Simulated): It is an iterative process. We start with a technical basis, evaluate Delta E and other parameters for color accuracy, then test the profile in the field. Feedback from professionals is crucial: if they point out problems in real situations, we make corrections. The goal is to create a profile that works well in many conditions, not just in controlled environments. The more we iterate this process, the more robust and versatile the profile becomes.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: How much do comments from industry professionals affect profile improvement?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Their observations are essential. Instrumental tests give us a solid technical basis, but it is the professionals in the field who detect details that escape the instruments, such as the impact of lighting or how colors behave on specific materials. When we receive their feedback, we go back to our data and adjust the profile parameters accordingly. This continuous exchange of information allows us to constantly improve the profiles and adapt them to customer needs.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: How do you manage the different needs of customers operating in different sectors?

Simone Bassani (simulated): Every customer has specific needs, depending on the industry. Some require extreme precision, such as in high-quality printing, where even the slightest color variation can be critical. Others, such as photographers working outdoors, may need more tolerant profiles that can adapt to varying light conditions. For this reason, our approach is modular: we start with a basic profile that we can adapt and customize according to the customer's needs. This allows us to provide tailor-made solutions while maintaining high levels of precision and quality.

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ChatGPT Interviewer: So you offer a basic profile that is then customized for different contexts or needs?

Simone Bassani (simulated): That's right. We create a basic color profile that meets the basic technical parameters, but from there we adapt it to the specific needs of the client. If the profile needs to work in a context with particular types of light or materials, we modify it accordingly. This flexibility allows us to cover a wide range of industries, from textiles to photography to professional printing, offering profiles that work well in different situations without sacrificing color quality.

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Continued...

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