Abstract: A photographic original is photoelectrically scanned by way of a color-enabled scanning device for the manufacture of a digital color picture and a raw digital color picture is thereby formed from the scanning data obtained. The final digital color picture is formed by way of a color transformation of the raw color picture according to the principles of color management, whereby a device specific profile is used which describes the combination of the type specific calorimetric properties of the original and the transfer function of the scanning device used, with respect to an analog manufactured reference color picture. The different types of originals occurring in practice are assigned to categories according to calorimetric similarity criteria and a master original is selected in each category. Profiles are respectively created only for the master original. Depending on the quality required, different category assignments and selections of original type of master originals can be made.