wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

I took a lot of photos of California poppies that I really like. Late afternoon light, really vibrant, rich colors, lots of nice detail in the plants and flowers, almost like an acrylic painting.

I'm trying to soft-proof them, before committing to print. I have the printer profile for my local Costco printer installed (that's the best that I have access to).
When I use the Proof Colors command in Photoshop CC, it's as if I'm viewing the photo through some gauzy, milky veil. The shadows lighten, and everything looks quite a bit duller, even losing some of the sharpest detail.

When I did the Proof Setup, the "veil" appears as soon as I check "Simulate Black Ink", if that helps. The Rendering Intent choices don't appear to make much difference in the soft proof.

I've fooled around with Levels adjustments to set the shadow and highlight points, and curves to brighten and contrast a bit, but I can't make this grey veil go away.

There must be a way to print these gorgeous colors. Does anyone know how to help?

Thanks,
Wes

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

This is a frequent sort of topic on the Forum. You might want to re-post your question on the UHH section labled "Printers and Color Printing Forum". At the bottom of this page click on the link labeled "All Sections", then scroll down to "Printers And Color Printing Forum", subscribe to it and post there. You will receive valuable advice from expert members.

wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

Thanks. I didn't notice any more specific forum.

davidcaley Loc: Utah

So just unblock Black Ink!

Bill_de Loc: US

You might want to read up on how to use profiles. For your specific issue read #12 first.

https://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/profiles.htm

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Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You will usually get better results without the Use ink and paper unchecked. The only time you will see a rendering intent change anything substantially is when you have out of gamut colors.

Use soft proof, adjust as necessary without ink and paper checked, and send it to Costco for a 4x6 or 5x7 - and compare to what you saw on your display. If it needs to change, you will see where and by how much.

I am assuming that you are working on a standard gamut display that has been profiled recently, otherwise you will be doing the digital equivalent of chasing your own tail.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Correction - "You will usually get better results with the Use ink and paper unchecked.