jdub82 wrote:
In the process of ordering prints from Bay Photo, there is a box to check to opt out of color correction (or enhancement) on your prints. They will do this automatically unless you check the box that you don't want color correction. This is my first time ordering from them. I am a bit apprehensive, as I really like the photos the way they look electronically after post processing. There are several threads recommending Bay Photo, but I haven't found any specifically about their color enhancement. Are there any UHH members who have experience using color correction with a lab such as Bay Photo? Do you recommend allowing their people to do the color correction?
In the process of ordering prints from Bay Photo, ... (
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You have a lot of choices there. IF you have a decent monitor, and IF you calibrate it and profile it with a hardware colorimeter and software package from X-RITE or Datacolor, and IF you get the lab's printer profile and use that as a proofing or simulation profile in your post-processing software... THEN you will get, from your lab, a very decent reproduction that closely matches your monitor, by OPTING OUT of their color correction service.
If, on the other hand, you are colorblind, OR you have a cheap, office-grade, UN-calibrated, NOT custom profiled monitor, or your only monitor is on a laptop, and you DON'T use the lab's printer profile as a proofing/simulation profile when post-processing, OR you don't really know what you're doing with color management, THEN, you probably should use their color correction service.
If you only record JPEGs in the camera, and they are a little off in exposure (+1/3 stop, -1/2 stop), and a little off in white balance (have a color cast), then you will appreciate the lab's color correction service. If you record raw images, you really should be using a calibrated and profiled monitor, post-process your images to achieve tonal nirvana, and take responsibility for color output.
Bay Photo is one of the USA's most well-respected labs. When I was in the business, I used to see their tech gurus at all the PMAI shows, Bremson User's Group meetings, and Kodak Professional Lab conferences. They knew their stuff. Send them some tests, and see what you think.
Getting good color requires a little applied science, a lot of disciplined technique, and the right technology. ICC color management starts at the camera and ends with the print (or finished image ready for the Internet). The major key to getting GREAT prints from a lab is to buy and calibrate and profile a decent monitor! Don't adjust your images unless you do that first. After that, CALL THE LAB, and ask them to send you their proofing profiles and a test image and test print. Compare their print with the test image displayed on your monitor. If they don't match, call the lab and walk through your setup...