Disapointed with prints from major stores

[Dan29]

Hi guys,

I don't know if anyone else has found the same thing but I'm really disapointed with the quality of the digital photos I've had developed at the likes of Boots and Fuji Film.

The problem is that the colours, depth, contrast, detail etc. on my monitor at home are much better than they are when I've had the pictures actually developed as photos.

I've tryed the Boots own kioks, Fuji Film and Kodac kiosks and they've all disapointed. I've phoned around several independent camera shops to ask if they could offer any advice on where to get higher quality prints but none could say anywhere that would.

I wondered if anybody else had the same problem and knew of a solution?

Thanks very much indeed,

Dan : )

[Malcolm_Stewart]

I suggest you look here under the "Scanning and Printing" section at the thread titled, "Commercial printers". Looks as though there's some good recommendations.

(It might also help if you let us know what type of camera, size of print, perhaps subject matter etc.)

[ermintrude]

Maybe your monitor also needs calibrating?

[El_Sid]

Are you taking and/or editing your images in AdobeRGB colour space? It's possible, maybe probable, that the print systems like at Boots etc are set up to handle sRGB images - because most compact cameras are preset to use sRGB colour space - in which case you will need to convert copies of your images to sRGB before saving as JPEG or whatever file type the printers require. AdobeRGB images viewed/printed in sRGB colour space can look very dull indeed...

Also if you resize the images to the desired output size I'd recommend a print resolution of at least 300 pixels per inch (ppi) although I've found that my local Boots produces perfectly satisfactory prints when given files at the original size. Mind I've only ever bothered having 6x4 and 7x5 prints made...

[Dan29]

Hi guys,

Thanks very much indeed for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it : )

I've checked the properties of my JPEG images and they have a Colour Presentation of sRGB, so no luck there unfortunately. Thank you very much indeed for the suggestion though El Sid : ) This is the second time I've posted on the forum and I'm amazed how much there is to know.

My camera is a Canon PowerShot A720 IS.

Thanks,

Dan ; )

[PeteE]

My wife has had a lot of prints done from her Fuji S9600 at a Kodak printers and they have been mostly 'flat'and dull - when I have done some levels in photoshop and printed them out as ink-jets on my Epson R265 using cheap inks and cheap paper the results have been 200% better! I have many years experience of darkroom printing on various sysytems such as Agfa,EP2 and now RA4 so maybe I can see a colour cast also correct for low contrast on the digital images.

[jennief]

Have you considered using a printer and Photoshop at home? If you calibrate your monitor and adjust your pictures with care you should be delighted with the results. Printers are not too expensive these days and PS Elements is a very good starting place. There's also loads of people who will help you in the forums.

[Dan29]

Thanks again guys, that's really helpful. I don't actually have room for a printer but it's really good to know that other people have found the same thing that I have.

Thanks again for the suggestions

Dan