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Photography Question 
- Elida Gutierrez

BetterPhoto Member
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Printing Settings


I been sending some prints to Mpix and some times don't ask for color corrections others do but either the pictures always came out to dark and had a yellowish feeling, I tried to set my monitor to see the pictures as the same as the prints so the next time I order some prints they are exactly how I see them in my monitor also try printing some proofs bumping the brightness but they still have looking yellowish. Can someone help me?
THANKS!!!


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November 22, 2008

 

W.
 
We need more, and particularly more precise, info, Elida! Post one or two of those pictures that came out way too dark – in print! – to your liking.


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November 24, 2008

 
- Carlton Ward

BetterPhoto Member
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  Hello Elida, I would start with monitor calibration. Colorvision Spyder2 runs about $100 and is very easy to use and will guide you through setting your brightness levels and will calibrate your colors and create a profile. This doesn't mean there wont be a difference between what you see and what MPIX will print but it is a good place to start.
If you ever decide to print your own images, using the profile you create for your monitor (I name mine Spyder2) and then assign the same profile to your printer should make the colors match.
Richard Lynch teaches a 4 week course "From Monitor to Print" you may want check out - http://www.betterphoto.com/courseOverview.php?cspID=175
Hope this helps - Carlton


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November 24, 2008

 

W.
 
Doesn't Windows come complete with a screen/color calibration tool? Macs do. In System Preferences –> Displays –> Color.


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November 25, 2008

 

Pete H
  Elida,

Color management is a subject taught in books, internet articles etc... yet seems to remain a mystery for many.

Calibrating the monitor does not guarantee color accuracy from the lab or your printer.

First, the yellowish cast; have you checked your ink levels?

1) Yes, the monitor should be calibrated. For me, this is not the end all as I am a tad "shade blind" with certain colors.

2) The printer must be "matched" to your output file from YOUR imaging software. This involves using the proper ICC profile. When sending files to a lab, it is often necessary to UNcheck the box prior to saving that says "ICC Profile"

Consistancy is the key here.

You have two options when sending files to be printed commercially to assure color accuracy. The first is old, yet tried and true.

Once you have a print that you are satisfied with, send it...don't email it! Send the actual print to the company. This is called a "guide print"
The guide print allows the printer operator to make adjustments to match your small guide print to the enlargement.

Next; most of the better labs have ICC color profiles available for download. These are standards their equipment uses to print.

This ICC profile is loaded into YOUR imaging software. You now save your file imbedding this profile.

Ex: Let's say you just finished editing your photo. When you "save as" you should be given the option to select a ICC profile. Select the ICC profile you downloaded from the commercial lab.

You can also print with your printer from this ICC profile. It is WYSIWYG.

Hope that helps a tad.


Pete


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November 25, 2008

 

Oliver Anderson
  I use Miller's (same as MPIX) and calibrate my monitor with a Spyder3Pro ($150). I send my images to them on their FTP upload and request NO color correction. My images have always turned out just as ordered and I've ordered thousands of prints this year.
I can't imagine someone NOT calibrating their monitor. If you don't every color you see is not the real (print color) you'll see. I just finished a bikini calendar for Umbrellagirlsusa.com and the owner didn't have a calibrator. She was having difficulty recieving consistant color with the other photographers images. I color corrected them on my laptop sent them in for proofing and they're perfect now. She's also invested in a Spyder3Pro and is very happy.


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November 25, 2008

 
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