Pocky_master
newbie
Reged: 29/02/2008
Posts: 32
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Before printing, everything looked pretty good, good exposure and all, then I went to print it at our local walmart, and it turned out darker than my mom's liking. My first response was to check it again on the computer, and it looked right. I guess I'm just plain frustrated because i realized when I returned the exposure compensation to 0 from .7, it looked too bright on screen, but printed out well. How do you guys determine when to compensate? It would really help me figure my way out of my frustration.
I wouldn't be surprised if understanding the situation i tried to describe is difficult, i'm just a bit ticked at my mom's comments on how terrible my pictures looked.
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mediaman
Nearly Laid Back
Reged: 28/07/2008
Posts: 619
Loc: edinburgh
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I have the same problem with Jessops. It looks good on the monitor at home, get prints.... and they, just like yours, are printed dark. I suppose I could buy a printer...but for it to be cost effective, would need to print hundreds.
Not an option for me!
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Kenny.
The tears of laughter were running down my legs.
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mjc7uk
Am I banned yet?
Reged: 08/07/2006
Posts: 2868
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Have you consider to have it print by the online photo service?
There are couple of good one out there, one I am happy with is www.photobox.com
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The Nikonboy is back...
We can't stand about here doing nothing. People will think we're workmen. - Spike Milligan.
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Iloca
Unregistered at user's request
Reged: 06/12/2005
Posts: 3800
Loc: Northern Ireland
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Hi, I have my monitor 'calibrated' using the Pantone Huey but I find when having prints done (Photobox) that they come out darker. I don't think it's uncommon and as I only use Photobox I simply increase exposure by .6 of a stop when preparing images for print.
IIRC a recent feature in AP found the same thing.
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Mi Vid Iloca
My Flickr Gallery
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Gold1
No Glass
Reged: 26/05/2008
Posts: 104
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Judging how your picture looks on your computer screen, has very little bearing on how it will look when printed (if your monitor is not calibrated to what ever lab you use).
You could have the same file printed at five different labs and get five completely different results, with major differences between Kodak, Fuji and Agfa etc..
I've found that the best solution is to calibrate my monitor to my lab's output, using the inbuilt calibration models on the computer only as a starting point.
The method I use is to run a test batch of 15 or so various prints (at the size I most often print at). Once you have the prints in your hand, open the files in Photoshop (or whatever your chosen editing software may be) and physically compare them to each open file on your monitor, adjusting the monitor (not the files) to match the actual prints. (I use 'Display Calibrator Assistant' on Mac OS X, with the Photoshop file open in the background, although a simple brighten / darken adjustment may be sufficient)
Once your prints look (on average) like something resembling the open files on the monitor, you should be able to see how things will look next time you want to make prints (with that particular lab). If it all looks a bit dark and gloomy, just brighten them up in Photoshop (or what have you)
I use http://www.photobox.co.uk/ which uses the fuji system and generally prints a tad on the dark side when not calibrated (although once calibrated, the quality and value is unbeatable).
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designboy
Cowboy Tog
Reged: 14/07/2008
Posts: 175
Loc: belfast, co. antrim UK
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I never get this, my screens are set by the tech installer - but they always come out right? You may be working in the wrong lighting conditions or you monitor is not right...
different printers will give different results, at work when we print to press the commercial printers have an ICC profile that we install, that way WYSIWYG (mostly).
Do labs have this?
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Commercial website removed - again and again. lol.
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Pocky_master
newbie
Reged: 29/02/2008
Posts: 32
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Thanks guys for helping out. Since I have two displays (a not so old CRT monitor and an HDTV) I may keep the CRT monitor adjusted properly to the printed photos.
I never intended on printing the pictures, but since cameras are in short supply in our family, I had no choice but to do her bidding.
I guess I have learned my lesson. Thanks =)
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