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Photography Question 
- Lynnmarie Daley

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Photo printing


Does anyone know how to get your laptop screen photo image to match the colors of your printer? I have a Toshiba Satellite lap top and an Epson R1900 photo printer. Prints are much too dark and the colors are off compared to what I see on my lap top screen. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Lynnmarie


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September 01, 2010

 

Richard Lynch
  That is a really broad question. The problem is likely in your color management, which means you have to look at calibration, choice of working and image color spaces, image correction and how you are submitting images to your printer.

In my course, I recommend printing with a service, because you eliminate a plethora of issues related specifically to home printing... that AND it costs less (I know no one likes to believe that one, but it is true) AND the quality will be better. However, if you eliminate the base issues and learn to print with a serivce, you can likely solve your home printing issues as well.


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September 07, 2010

 
wildlifetrailphotography.com - Donald R. Curry

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  Check out Spyder 2 calibration software. My printed photos look like what is on the monitor. I print on an Epson 2400. You may also want to use a seperate monitor. I don't use the lap top monitor, because of the poor quality.


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September 07, 2010

 
- Lynnmarie Daley

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  Thank you, Richard and Donald, for your responses. I will check out Spyder 2. Do you recommend any particular monitor? Also, Richard, what printing service do you use? Appreciate hearing from you both. Regards, Lynnmarie


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September 08, 2010

 
wildlifetrailphotography.com - Donald R. Curry

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  I have a Sony monitor. I was not pleased with my lap top monitor for photo processing.


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September 08, 2010

 

Beth M. McNabb
  Richard, I know you like to you use a service, but I too have an R1900 and I love to print with it! And, after we bought it, we need to justify our expense. : )

I use a Spyder 3 and my monitor and prints match well. I'm happy with it. I bought a View Sonic monitor because I couldn't afford a really nice monitor yet. It's the VG2227 model. Nothing fancy, but it does exactly what I needed it for - image processing, and prints to match what I see.

Enjoy your printer!


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September 14, 2010

 
- Lynnmarie Daley

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  Thanks, Beth. I quess Spyder 3 is the way to go. I'll let you know how it works out. Regards, Lynnmarie


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September 14, 2010

 

Beth M. McNabb
  You're welcome Lynn. I've heard really good things about the Colormunkie also. Have fun!


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September 14, 2010

 

Deb Booth
  Hi there. I use a Huey Pantone calibration unit that I bought for $75 a couple of years ago. It works really well.

One main thing to try to keep in mind is that your computer's screen is projecting the image with light coming THROUGH it. Your poor printer (not your printer in particular, just ANY printer) can only create prints which lights bounce OFF of, not through... so it is nigh on to impossible to completely duplicate the image you'll see on a screen versus a printout, but at least with a calibration unit, and some color management (Andrew Darlow printed a book recently - an entire book - on printing tips, because it's such a broad subject to tackle) you'll at least come CLOSER to matching what you see on your screen as far as your printing goes.

I have an Epson 1800, a 1400 and an R340, so I have a broad range of printers to try to match to my different screens (laptop, and 2 desktop LCD screens). I know how frustrating it can be. I surely wish you luck - just have faith, and keep reading and asking questions, and you'll get there.

Light and laughter,

Deb Booth
www.differentlightstudio.com


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September 14, 2010

 

Kathryn Wesserling
  Beyond the calibration processes working well, there is one major difference between a PC screen and the Laptop...

Image colors on a laptop change simply by moving the screen backward or forward even a minimum degree. It's frustrating as all get-out.

I've finally learned which screen position results in approximately the same light/dark as the inexpensive 4 x 6 prints I have printed at the local Meijers ordered through Snapfish.) It's gotten so that I might have to re-edit and reprint 4 or 5 - not a bad deal.

Unfortunately, I cannot tell if the images I enter online are edited most effectively.


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September 14, 2010

 
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