Final Cut Pro export issue: Darkened images and color profile changes on Intel Macs

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Level 1

4 points

Final Cut Pro export issue: Darkened images and color profile changes on Intel Macs

Hello,

I am experiencing an issue with Final Cut Pro (version 11.0.1) where images exported from the software are appearing darker than expected. This happens with various formats, including TIFF, JPG, PNG, and PSD. The colors seem to shift when exporting, and this is also visible when importing the images back into Final Cut Pro. Interestingly, the images look correct when opened in Photoshop, but they appear darker in Preview and other macOS apps.

I have verified that the exported images are using the ITU-R BT.709-5 color profile, which seems to be the cause of the issue. I suspect that this might be a bug related to how Final Cut Pro handles color profiles during export, especially when working with Intel-based Macs (as I am using one).

Has anyone else encountered this problem? Is there a known workaround or fix for this issue?

Thank you for any advice or suggestions!

Best regards,

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 27″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 3:33 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Clint Gryke

Level 2

179 points

Feb 12, 2025 12:48 AM in response to FinalGraz

As you have Photoshop, the simplest solution is to use Edit- - Convert to Profile - Rec709 Gamma 2.4 and save the file. That completely solves the issue. If you have several images and are familiar with Lightroom Classic, the easiest way is to import the stills into Lightroom and export using a Rec709 Gamma 2.4 profile. This can be saved as a preset for a really easy life until this gets fixed.

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Answer 2

joema

Level 4

1,155 points

Feb 12, 2025 5:47 AM in response to FinalGraz

@FinalGraz, it has been discussed in the below threads. It is apparently a MacOS issue, not FCP, and was originally raised in the MacOS discussion group. I believe the 12-24-24 thread has the most info.

1-14-25

Stills from FCPX are high contrast with c… - Apple Community

Stills from FCPX are high contrast with crushed blacks?

1-13-25

Problem with "Save Current Frame" exports… - Apple Community

Problem with "Save Current Frame" exports in Final Cut - dark/underexposed frames.

12-24-24

Gamma shift when using Save Current Frame… - Apple Community

Gamma shift when using Save Current Frame. Why?

9-23-24

macOS Sequoia Bug - Preview misinterprets… - Apple Community

macOS Sequoia Bug - Preview misinterprets color spaces

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Answer 3

Feb 11, 2025 7:45 AM in response to FinalGraz

We have all noticed this issue for years and there is no prospect of any solution in the near future.

If you simply need to use the image in an FCP timeline you can make a freeze-frame that does not suffer from this problem or export your image from another app like DaVinci Resolve (Free).

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Answer 4

FinalGraz Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 11, 2025 8:21 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I wasn’t aware that this issue had been known for a long time, especially because I didn’t experience this problem with earlier versions of Final Cut Pro, such as 10.8. I’d appreciate it if you could test this as well to confirm whether the issue is indeed related to Final Cut.

Here’s a simple test:

Import a video clip into the timeline.
Export a still frame using the "Export Current Frame" command (any format like TIFF, PNG, etc. will work).
Re-import the exported image into the timeline at the exact same position where the frame was exported from.
Apply a slight crop to the image.

You’ll notice that the color gamma of the image is different, appearing darker compared to the original frame.

Interestingly, I also tested this with Motion, which allows adjusting the correct color profile during export, and I didn’t encounter any issues there.

I’d rather not use DaVinci Resolve, even though I have the paid version, or Adobe Premiere. Final Cut has always allowed me to work efficiently, and I’d prefer to stick with it.

Thanks for your insights!

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,780 points

Feb 11, 2025 7:52 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Or export a single frame QT file and convert it to PNG. Simpler way if you’ve applied effects or correction.

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Answer 6

Feb 11, 2025 9:03 AM in response to FinalGraz

This is the most recent thread from 3 weeks ago.

Stills from FCPX are high contrast with c… - Apple Community

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Answer 7

Feb 11, 2025 8:33 AM in response to FinalGraz

I can confirm that the problem is NOT happening for me in 10.8.1 on Sequoia 15.3.

It DOES happen in 11 and 11.0.1 on the same Mac (M4 Pro MBP).

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Answer 8

FinalGraz Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 11, 2025 8:43 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thank you. So, it’s not an issue with the Intel or Apple processor, but rather with the software or operating system. I’d like to report the bug or find another discussion where the same problem has been identified.

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Final Cut Pro export issue: Darkened images and color profile changes on Intel Macs

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