First print

[KernowChris]

It looks like I'm going to find somebody to do my first proper photo print of my Chapel Porth seascape. Before just sending off the image to a printer, how important would it be to soft proof the image in LR with the corresponding ICC profile? This is a topic I have only read about or seen on Youtube. Of course, I guess you need a calibrated monitor to get the best out of it, and since I don't have one then there is probably not much point. My home monitor is pants, but I use a mac at work which is much better tho uncalibrated.

Finally, any suggestions on who to use? I see DSCL mentioned quite a bit.

Chris

 

[SoDoSoPa]

The chances are when you send of for some prints with a uncalibrated monitor there going to come back darker than you see on your monitor, if I were you I would buy or borrow a monitor calibration device, Edit your photos throughout in sRGB download and soft proof using DSCL's ICC profile, get some test proof prints done and adjust your monitor to match if it way out.