spraguead Loc: Boston, MA

Re "I did all the necessary things prior to sending the file to a reputable online printer"

Did the printer send you ICC profiles for your computer/monitor? If not, it's a guess. If they are just requiring unspecified JPEGs, is your color space sRGB?

I've used Adorama Pix in the past and they have downloadable profiles. Only once when I was printing on metal prints did I feel the tones were off on a few of the files. They had me adjust and resend, then reprinted at no charge.

rschlott

I had the same issue with Whitewall labs out of Germany. They claim to be a great lab, but their customer service is deplorable. I ordered a 30 x40 print mounted under arcrylic with a frame. At almost $500, I receive a package with a photo that is very, very dark. My Mac monitor is set and about 55% - 60% brightness. I printed the photo prior on my Epson 3880 and it was perfect, before I sent it to Whitewall. When I contacted Whitewall with my displeasure, they simply stated that the file I sent did not include a print profile for the type of print that I ordered. Would you not think they would have corrected this before printing and mounting and framing and sending me the photo? Would you not think they would have noticed how dark the image was and contacted me before the mounting and laminating?

Whitewall would do nothing to correct the issue. Hence, Whitewall has lost me as a customer. I never refer anyone to Whitewall.

A very dissatisfied Whitewallmcustomer.

pappleg

That is exactly why I found and use a local printer with whom I can have conversations regarding prints. I have found that the image I "see" on my iMac monitor is usually 1-2 stops lighter in exposure than the print and I am now in the habit of getting him to print an 8 X 12 before committing to the 16 X 24 or larger.

Pat

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

It's possible that the fault lies with the printer folks... they have been known to goof too. My suggestion: Take it to either Sam's or Costco and have them print it.. while you wait. Sam's will re-do it if you're not satisfied. That way you can see immediately if they results are as you expect or not. I've had Sam's print several large prints with great results.

alphonso49uk

No..the printer didnt send any profiles and the files were srgb

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

What I would also suggest: take a number of photos and have them developed in 4X6 size (cheap) by a place like Walgreens. If the exposures look similar to what you see on your computer, all is well and the photo lab you used is at fault. If, on the other hand, they also look underexposed, turn down the brightness on your computer to match and all should then be well for photo work.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

This is very unusual unless the brightness of your monitor has not been calibrated. The printer I use, GTA Imaging in Toronto, gave me a reference card that I use to check brightness and colour saturation.

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

I always have photos printed out first, like 5 x7s just to see what they look like printed and to check colors. If all is good, then I will order a canvas which is usually turns out well. I did actually have one printed by canvas people and threw it out..... was horrible.

10MPlayer Loc: California

I've made mistakes like missing something extraneous I wanted to erase from a photo and having it printed. I went back to the printer and talked to them. They kindly reprinted the corrected one for half off. They bought some customer loyalty from me. By the way it was Mike's Camera in Sacramento. It's a small company located in California and the Denver area only.

Robeng Loc: California

[quote=alphonso49uk]I thought it was about time I had one of my photos blown up to sit in pride of place above the fireplace.
I did all the necessary things prior to sending the file to a reputable online printer...checked the calibration display on the mac was correct...it was.......checked the image size in photoshop to allow for some cropping..then sent it off to become a 40" x 20" print.
It came today and after unwrapping it , it was clear that it was underexposed by at least 2 stops and possibly 3. Ive put it up above the fireplace as planned but its annoying the hell out of me.
I might bite the bullet,and the expense of having it done again, but before I do I wondered if anybody else had experienced this before.
The only thing I can think to do is adjust the files exposure by 2 stops and hope for the best.
Am I missing something?
Oh and yes...the photo looks great on my mac[/quote

Make sure your monitor is calibrated to your printer. So often they are not. Once you calibrated your monitor to your printer you can do a test sample cheap at the local Costco or Sam’s club.

Hyperhad Loc: Thunder Bay, Canada

One company that I have used is CanvasPop. They will email you a "softproof" of your image for approval. And, if you do not like the image when it arrives, for whatever reason, they will re-do it until you are happy with it. I have had good service from them.

canon Lee

HI ... Firstly I "out source" my print work to a "Color Lab". Even then the prints come out dark.. Lacking detail in the blacks. I use a calibrated monitor... Here is how I corrected dark prints.... I realize that calibrating my monitor only color corrects and doesn't do much for brightness... So I edit my files in LR, where I "over correct" the "shadows and black" levels. The shadow slider is the most important adjustment as it lowers the black levels in the mid range and thus gives me the detail in the print. The Blacks I tweak with the black and shadow sliders. I recommend that you use the histogram in LR to just top it out for the brights without blowing out the highlights.... Finally tweak the highlights and white sliders. Make sure your WB is good and hasn't shifted using the highlights and exposure sliders...
I know this sounds complicated, but, the "shadow" slider is by far most important!
The image on your monitor is "back lit", so you are seeing a brighter image, where the print, ( especially using glossy paper) is reflective light, and light is absorbed into the blacks and not reflected back to eyes... Prints will never be exactly the same as what you see on your monitor.

canon Lee

HI making the monitor brighter only brightens the monitor, not the image, this is done in LR where you actually brighten the image. Turning up the brightness on your monitor gives you false brightness "image" indication...

adamsg Loc: Chubbuck, ID

Since you are in the UK, I am not sure you would want to try a company that has done really fine printing for me. I do landscapes and wildlife and have had my work done by McKennaPro for the last year or so. They will send you a calibration print, along with your first order and a report on that print. I was fortunate that my computer was correctly calibrated and subsequent orders have been very well done. To this time, I have had no need to look elsewhere. I do agree with several replies that suggest finding a good local printer would likely be your best solution.

Good luck!

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

A whole list of things I would check and try.
I would make sure my system if completely calibrated.
I would make sure I maintained the same color space through my entire workflow.
Find out, not just the type of file they want, but also the color space they use.
To verify your system I would have someone close by print a small version of your picture for you. Compare it to your monitor.
If it's a lab you have never worked with you should send in a test print before you commit to the big, expensive ones. Make sure you are all on the same page.
Find out if the lab has profiles they want you to use.

I had a $110, big print made at a fancy lab. Looked just like my monitor. Sent it to The Poster Place (no longer in business) For $9 they made the same size print. Couldn't tell the difference. If everything is calibrated and you're using the correct profiles, the final print, no matter who does it, should look pretty close to what you have on your system.
..Cam