Question - Having Prints Made: I just stopped by my local camera store to pick up a print (12" x 36" if it matters) and it was about 2 stops lighter than the scene as i saw it, and my...

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

I just stopped by my local camera store to pick up a print (12" x 36" if it matters) and it was about 2 stops lighter than the scene as i saw it, and my capture file as viewed on the camera, my monitor and their computer monitor. The store owner and I theorized that the printer's system saw a mid-tone gray in the foreground and 'exposed' for that. No problem as they reprinted it for me on the spot.

My question is, how do I prevent it happening again? How do I get the print that I envisioned and that they agreed was how it should be, the next time I want a print made. I like to support local business when I can.

Should I pay for a much smaller print and have them make adjustments from there for for the final print?

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

I dont know what software you use for editing. you might ask if they have printer profile you can load into your editing software.
then the colors should be more accurate if your monitor is calibrated.
I know you can do this with photoshop, I am not sure what other will do it.

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

stableduck wrote:

I dont know what software you use for editing. you might ask if they have printer profile you can load into your editing software.
then the colors should be more accurate if your monitor is calibrated.
I know you can do this with photoshop, I am not sure what other will do it.

Thanks. It was edited, lightly from RAW, in PSE 11. Monitor is calibrated. I'll check with them and poke around PSE to see if I can load their profile.

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

you might search help for proofing>custom. thats where mine are loaded. I haven't up dated them in awhile but for me it was confusing how to load them. I don't remember how without looking

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

I'm lucky as the person that does my printing came over to my house and color corrected my monitors the same as his then entered the profiles.that way we know what I see here he will get the same there. It's a win ,win situation.He doesn't have to work on my images to correct and I don't have to have a sample done.

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

tusketwedge wrote:

I'm lucky as the person that does my printing came over to my house and color corrected my monitors the same as his then entered the profiles.that way we know what I see here he will get the same there. It's a win ,win situation.He doesn't have to work on my images to correct and I don't have to have a sample done.

Good idea, but I doubt that I'll be printing that much. Would have done it myself except I don't have roll paper and not willing to buy it, for the limited use it would see.

After he calibrated your monitor, does he do it for you on a regular basis, as it can and most probably will 'drift'.

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

smith934 wrote:

Good idea, but I doubt that I'll be printing that much. Would have done it myself except I don't have roll paper and not willing to buy it, for the limited use it would see.

After he calibrated your monitor, does he do it for you on a regular basis, as it can and most probably will 'drift'.

He's a friend of the family and if need be he comes and does the adjustments.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

I think you have answered your own post---

you arn't looking to do many prints...
calibration drifts...
you can talk and discuss the finished product with the printer.
a smaller (cheaper) print could possibly show what alterations were needed...
by working with a small local business you maintain their profile as well as your own.

anything else would cost money, time and effort... and lead you astray to try 'cheaper' alternatives.

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

G Brown wrote:

I think you have answered your own post---

you arn't looking to do many prints...
calibration drifts...
you can talk and discuss the finished product with the printer.
a smaller (cheaper) print could possibly show what alterations were needed...
by working with a small local business you maintain their profile as well as your own.

anything else would cost money, time and effort... and lead you astray to try 'cheaper' alternatives.

Thank You for the input and you make a valid point. Also their prices are, I think, very reasonable. $17.95 for an unframed matte 12x36 seemed great to me, plus they let me keep the first print. The re-do is spot on.

amehta Loc: Boston

tusketwedge wrote:

I'm lucky as the person that does my printing came over to my house and color corrected my monitors the same as his then entered the profiles.that way we know what I see here he will get the same there. It's a win ,win situation.He doesn't have to work on my images to correct and I don't have to have a sample done.

And you both know where you're getting your prints done, another win-win.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

smith934 wrote:

I just stopped by my local camera store to pick up... (show quote)

Depending on the system they are using, there should be an option somewhere for NO EDITING.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

smith934 wrote:

Thank You for the input and you make a valid point. Also their prices are, I think, very reasonable. $17.95 for an unframed matte 12x36 seemed great to me, plus they let me keep the first print. The re-do is spot on.

Like you, I seldom have a large image printed, and when I do , I typically take it to the local print shop in our small town. I have always received great service from them, and on one occasion the owner went way out of his way to ensure I had a batch of invitations printed on time.

It seems the moral of your story is: Support your local print shop if you have one. Even if it may be a bit more expensive, the time you save and the service you receive by dealing face-to-face with someone you can trust is priceless.

skydiverbob Loc: I retired in San Antonio

smith934 wrote:

Thanks. It was edited, lightly from RAW, in PSE 11. Monitor is calibrated. I'll check with them and poke around PSE to see if I can load their profile.

Adoramapix.com is best the print service I have ever discovered. If you go to their website you will find "ICC printer profile here" to match up with whatever paper you prefer for them to use.

It IS important that your monitor is of course calibrated as you already stated.

The professional quality and price can't be matched anywhere. But don't take my word for it. Try them and see for yourself.

You'll thank me and yourself in the end...

:D

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

Wahawk wrote:

Depending on the system they are using, there should be an option somewhere for NO EDITING.

Thanks, I'll ask them.

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

Picdude wrote:

Like you, I seldom have a large image printed, and... (show quote)

Luckily for me, I sell copiers and printers so have plenty of access for normal printing and copying chores and have an excellent Epson photo printer that doesn't get near the use it should.

For stuff like the 12x36 or stuff i want printed on real photo paper using the traditional albeit automated process, I use the local camera store, Southerland's. They also do B&W and transparencies manually.