Okay, I've been advised not to worry about what my images look like on other peoples' monitors...but the inner struggle continues. In the Custom settings for the Proof Setup there is a multitude of embedded profile options for various output devices; how do I know which one to use? Is there a default? Working Adobe RGB sounds nice and safe.... as you can tell I'm totally clueless with this. And should I be working in Windows RGB or Monitor RGB? This paranoia has re-emerged after I opened a PS image in PSP only to find it looked totally washed out.

Merbliss, are you talking about soft-proof profiles?? Working in RGB is perfect for "on-screen" work. It's primary purpose is to specify the RGB space you want Photoshop to simulate. (Bear in mind the RGB space looks different between MAC and PC...) Many of the other profiles are for "soft-proofing" your document. (these are the one that list a specific printer brand and model) Traditionally, you would print a "hard copy" proof of your document to see how the colors look. Using CMS (color management system) you can use the color profiles to "soft" proof the image right on your screen (this should "in theory" display the documents colors as if reproduced on that specific printer...) The "dot gain" profiles are often used for newspaper. It compensates for the "closing up" of the printer dots after many runs. I mainly work between Adobe RGB and Working CMYK - US Web Coated.. my2c :) retrocity

Hi merbliss, I always work in Adobe RGB (as working space). Sometimes I go over to the proof settings in the view menu, and make a custom profile using my monitor icm profile. Bu this is just fore previewing. As I never need to print (besides my own inkjet)this works fine for me.

Thanks, guys, guess I was just having a moment of panic. I'm currently working under my custom Adobe Monitor Profile. Retro: yeah I notice that the difference between Mac an PC is pretty horrible, a little consensus wouldn't go astray there.