Printing to blame or wrong screen calibration ? and info on where to order decent quality prints.

Orange_crunch

Orange_crunch

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Hi everyone :)

I recently done some Hi-Key photography and all images looked great on my PC, laptop and Mobile phone etc , I just got the prints back and they are awful, overexposed skin ( Almost pure white skin in places) and very bland colours etc
I complained about the Quality and they said its my images that are wrong not their printers, I really do think they have used Auto correction on the prints. I followed their instructions using the sRGB profile and a 300dpi and they refused to refund the cost of the prints.

Anyone else had problems with the quality of prints or can any recommend a decent printing service for Hi-key photos ?
 
1/ Is your monitor calibrated?
2/ What printer did you use?
 
Thanks for the quick reply :)
I calibrated my screen twice (using windows 7 built in tool) and I am Unsure of the shops printer...
I done a blue background on one of the photos and you can just see the blue on the print ( on the screen the blue is #66a9d1, on the prints its close to #e1eef6 in photoshop) so quite a difference.
 
1/ You need to calibrate your monitor using calibration equipment, W7 is not accurate enough, my guess is this is your problem.

2/ I was referring to the print company
 
As above we need to know so much more. It does sound as if you are using a shop for your prints which may well be an indicator of your problem - but unless you can guarantee you are putting in a good file then there is no point in trying to sort the output piece.
 
Agree, 99% of the time when prints are too dark or too light then it's your monitor which need to be calibrated to daylight or nightlight settings.
If you want a good calibrator look at ColorMunki Photo it is expensive but will not only calibrate your monitor but will also do paper profiles for you. A much cheaper option would be to hire a calibrator but it would, of course, then be a one off profile rather than being able to calibrate monthly as most recommend
Dave
 
Can you post the image please?

Without one the talk is just a gossip.

You would want to avoid auto-correct if your files are good, but as mentioned you need to calibrate properly. Your eye and w7 tool is not a suitable replacement for pro calibrating device. On the other hand I would suggest that high key photos would be toned down by autocorrect, and dark ones a brightened up by the very old and ugly photoshop-like algorithm. If you had lots of shadows you would expect to see overexposure thanks to autocorrect. They simply try to achieve a very average uniform exposure and saturate the colours.
 
My main monitor, which I do all my work on is calibrated with a colour munki display, when I order prints from it, they usually match. When I put these same images on my laptop which is un calibrated, they look totally different. That is why all monitors need calibration in order to get good prints. As regards a mobile phone I would never judge colour on that. You will be happier if you buy a calibrator, and work from there.
 
Once your screen is calibrated if you want to use DSCL for printing they have paper profiles you can download for soft proofing.
DSCL LINK
 
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Thanks for all the replies :) Sorry cant upload anymore photos as on the works computer :lol: This was one of the photos I had printed off and the problems were...
The detail on the white top was gone, very little shadows almost a bright white
The lighter skin tone on the forehead again was overexposed producing a white spot
The colours were very bleached and drab

I am not a professional photographer just a hobby photographer so please be kind :lol: this was my first attempt at Hi-key style photography
 
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If you want me to, send me the image and I will print it off using a calibrated monitor; paper profiled and Epson 3880 printer and send it back to you.
I have sent you a PM
Dave
 
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nikonuser said:
If you want me to, send me the image and I will print it off using a calibrated monitor; paper profiled and Epson 3880 printer and send it back to you.
I have sent you a PM
Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer dave :) however I sent the same photos away to a another pro printing company on Friday who don't use auto-correct and would reprint them if I was unhappy. They should be ready for middle of the week.

I do know there will be some difference from screen to print but just thought the difference was far too great ( sometimes a little darker or lighter on the prints) but never like this before.
I have seen a X-Rite Colormunki Smile on WeX for £67, seems very cheap compared to others...or is it a case of the more expensive ones are better :lol:
 
This will probably only calibrate your monitor.....which is a good start whereas more expensive ones will do paper profiles as well if you use third party papers or inks
Dave
 
I am only viewing on my phone but that picture looks properly exposed to me.

You will soon know when you next lot of prints come back.

Sent from my Samsung Note iix
 
Spoony said:
I am only viewing on my phone but that picture looks properly exposed to me.

You will soon know when you next lot of prints come back.

Sent from my Samsung Note iix
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback Nick :) Finger crossed its the print shop that was at fault.
 
I think you were right in thinking they auto corrected it, you will soon know.

Time will tell :)

Sent from my Samsung Note iix
 
Orange_crunch said:
Nope :lol: Off topic but.... How can some photographers charge so little on Groupon, seen wedding photography for £89 and studio work for £9:eek:
Click to expand...

Upsell to make profit, client database building, or just completely naiive.

But really it does look like your issue is with the printer - so who did you use ? Hard to give more advice without knowing if they can take "pro level " instructions, you needed to supply in a particular format, or if you simply need to go elsewhere.
 
Orange_crunch said:
Thanks for all the replies :) Sorry cant upload anymore photos as on the works computer :lol: This was one of the photos I had printed off and the problems were...
The detail on the white top was gone, very little shadows almost a bright white
The lighter skin tone on the forehead again was overexposed producing a white spot
The colours were very bleached and drab

I am not a professional photographer just a hobby photographer so please be kind :lol: this was my first attempt at Hi-key style photography
Click to expand...

It looks OK here. The trousers are solid black so my guess would be the clever photo lab tried all they could to retrieve some detail, even if it meant blowing all the highlights. Who cares about highlights anyway?! All serious customers lose them, and all the goodies hide in the shadows. :lol:

I would change the lab. It wasn't some form of box by any chance?
 
I have now used digitalab to do the prints for me and they will be here tomorrow morning...

meonshore said:
Upsell to make profit, client database building, or just completely naiive.
Click to expand...

Well my sister paid £800 for her wedding photographer and he turned up in a football shirt and jeans :lol: at least he stood out from all the guests ! So i guess even at a fair price the photographer can be poor.
 
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daugirdas said:
It looks OK here. The trousers are solid black so my guess would be the clever photo lab tried all they could to retrieve some detail, even if it meant blowing all the highlights. Who cares about highlights anyway?! All serious customers lose them, and all the goodies hide in the shadows. :lol:

I would change the lab. It wasn't some form of box by any chance?
Click to expand...

I checked the shots on camera for Highlight clipping and in lightroom and it was only the background that was flashing.. On the prints the skin was very pale and I would say they were on par with the background.
 
Orange_crunch said:
I have now used digitalab to do the prints for me and they will be here tomorrow morning...



Well my sister paid £800 for her wedding photographer and he turned up in a football shirt and jeans :lol: at least he stood out from all the guests !
Click to expand...


I may try a fluorescent orange vest next time I do a cheap wedding. Let's see if I could borrow one from council services :lol:
 
daugirdas said:
I may try a fluorescent orange vest next time I do a cheap wedding. Let's see if I could borrow one from council services :lol:
Click to expand...
:lol: Only if ya have a catch business name !

Here is a photo I took on my phone... Come on england!
 
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Prints arrived this morning and they are great :D So with all the advice I have had I will get my monitor calibrated and adjust the photos with a bit more colour :)
 
Glad they turned out OK
Dave
 
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