B&W prints tinted?
BradJudy
Registered Users Posts: 53 Big grins
I recently ordered a set of 8x12 black and white prints through SumgMug. These are scans from 35mm B&W negatives and are grayscale JPGs, so there is absolutely no color cast to the images themselves. The prints turned out having a slight tan/brown cast to them (they were ordered with auto color, a mistake). When I asked SmugMug support about it, they graciously reprinted them using True Color. Those prints arrived and they are identical to the first set. I guess this shouldn't be surprising since auto color shouldn't do anything to a true grayscale image.
This is slightly picky since they aren't heavily cast (like sepia), but when placed next to a true B&W print (as they might be when framed and hung), they are clearly not B&W. I am comparing the output to prints made from the same negatives at local photo shops (I'm having multiples done locally as well to find a preferred shop for B&W prints). Depending on the mat color, an average viewer might not notice the cast if the photo was hung next to color photos.
Is there some way to ensure the B&W prints are truely B&W? Since SmugMug is so popular with pro and enthusiast photographers, I was hoping folks would have some tips. Is there anything I can do differently to get better B&W prints? Thanks!
BTW: I have downloaded and tried the EZ Prints ICC profile for soft proofing in Photoshop. As expected, the profile has no impact on the coloring of a B&W image. Since it is a grayscale image, I can also safely assume this isn't an issue of monitor calibration not matching the print.
This is slightly picky since they aren't heavily cast (like sepia), but when placed next to a true B&W print (as they might be when framed and hung), they are clearly not B&W. I am comparing the output to prints made from the same negatives at local photo shops (I'm having multiples done locally as well to find a preferred shop for B&W prints). Depending on the mat color, an average viewer might not notice the cast if the photo was hung next to color photos.
Is there some way to ensure the B&W prints are truely B&W? Since SmugMug is so popular with pro and enthusiast photographers, I was hoping folks would have some tips. Is there anything I can do differently to get better B&W prints? Thanks!
BTW: I have downloaded and tried the EZ Prints ICC profile for soft proofing in Photoshop. As expected, the profile has no impact on the coloring of a B&W image. Since it is a grayscale image, I can also safely assume this isn't an issue of monitor calibration not matching the print.
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Sam
Should I take it from the responses that my experience is expected with the current print lab and that there was nothing I could have done to get these prints to turn out correctly?
Thanks.
I have sent in an order for some test prints. One of those is a B&W that I have printed myself, and know the file is good. I will try, and remember to post my results after receiving them. They are in the mail now.
Sam