Defined range of colors a system can capture, display, or reproduce, like Rec.709, DCI-P3, or Rec.2020.
Definition
A color space defines a specific range of colors that a system can represent, along with a mathematical description. Different color spaces have different gamuts and are optimized for various applications.
Practical Application
Rec.709 is the HD/SDR standard for TV and web. DCI-P3 is used in cinema and on modern displays. Rec.2020 defines the color space for HDR/UHD. ACES (Academy Color Encoding System) provides a universal working color space for post-production.
Technical Details
Color spaces are defined by primary colors (red, green, blue), white point, and transfer function (gamma/EOTF). Conversion between color spaces requires mathematical transformations. Gamut mapping prevents clipping during conversion.