underexposed prints

galileofigarogalileofigaro Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
edited May 26, 2010 in SmugMug Support
I have my pictures on smugmug where they look awesome. Howeve when I print on my printer or I send them to bayphoto or i go to any walmart photolab they look 1 or 1.5 stops underexposed.
How do i have to set the pictures to be printed in order to get them on paper EXACTLY as I see them on smugmug.
Please help!
regards to all

Comments

  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited May 24, 2010
    galileofigaro wrote: »
    I have my pictures on smugmug where they look awesome. Howeve when I print on my printer or I send them to bayphoto or i go to any walmart photolab they look 1 or 1.5 stops underexposed.
    How do i have to set the pictures to be printed in order to get them on paper EXACTLY as I see them on smugmug.
    Please help!
    regards to all


    Hi wave.gif
    This is a common issue. Today's monitors are getting brighter and brighter. They will display your photos at least 1-2 stops brighter than they will print. And because they back light the image (prints are viewed using reflected light). The dynamic range displayed, is much greater than you will see in the prints too.

    You can have an image that looks fine on your site. Yet, when you print using True Color (no added post processing by the lab) it comes out too dark. As you can see here, this is our largest reason for print returns/complaints. So you are not alone :D

    What can you do about this? You have a few options. You can post process to get the exposures "spot on". Or, for most images. Our lab's (EZ Prints) Auto Color (a software program) does a very nice job of this. This one size fits all adjustment, doesn't work well for all images, however. As it won't address any color issues. In this case(s), if you have a Pro account. You can select our Pro lab and their hand correction. Which addresses exposure and color. Or, you will need to edit the image(s) yourself. We have a great asset right around the corner. That can help you with post processing. Our Finishing School forum Please check it out. Lots of nice folks who'd be happy to help you get a handle on this.

    I hope this helps. You can also contact us at the Help Desk if you have additional questions.

    Have a wonderful day wings.gif

    Cavig
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • galileofigarogalileofigaro Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
    edited May 25, 2010
    underexposed prints with bayphoto
    Hi, and thanks for your reply.
    I have a pro account and decided to work with bayphoto and pay a few extra bucks to get the pictures corrected for underexposing and color just like you said but I got the SAME result. If I rated the pictures on smugmug I'd gave them a big 10, but on paper the color is poor, 1 or 1.5 stops underexposed, to sum everything up: no awesome at all,, so I'd gave them a 6 or 7. And the pictures are not for me. I have many clients that ordered and are very unhappy and they want their hundreds of dollars back or the pictures the way they should be. This affects me in many ways, as you can imagine, and I'm sure I'm not he only one with this issue, so please give me a solution to this.
    I know you don't have anything to do with my problem, but sorry I was upset anyway.

    Regards
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited May 25, 2010
    galileofigaro wrote: »
    Hi, and thanks for your reply.
    I have a pro account and decided to work with bayphoto and pay a few extra bucks to get the pictures corrected for underexposing and color just like you said but I got the SAME result. If I rated the pictures on smugmug I'd gave them a big 10, but on paper the color is poor, 1 or 1.5 stops underexposed, to sum everything up: no awesome at all,, so I'd gave them a 6 or 7. And the pictures are not for me. I have many clients that ordered and are very unhappy and they want their hundreds of dollars back or the pictures the way they should be. This affects me in many ways, as you can imagine, and I'm sure I'm not he only one with this issue, so please give me a solution to this.
    I know you don't have anything to do with my problem, but sorry I was upset anyway.

    Regards

    Show me some example photos from your site please, that were correct to your eyes on screen but printed dark. I'm willing to bet your monitor is too bright, thus fooling you on-screen.
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
  • galileofigarogalileofigaro Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
    edited May 25, 2010
    underexposed prints with bayphoto
    this will prove you wrong =)

    http://italoalegria.smugmug.com/First-Communion/Ketelsen/12286262_nUUET#876445448_yM2Uw

    I can't wait for your reply :D

    regards
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited May 25, 2010
    galileofigaro wrote: »
    this will prove you wrong =)

    http://italoalegria.smugmug.com/First-Communion/Ketelsen/12286262_nUUET#876445448_yM2Uw

    I can't wait for your reply :D

    regards
    Did you print this at Bay Photo with color correction on? Got an order # for me to look at? Thanks!
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
  • galileofigarogalileofigaro Registered Users Posts: 4 Beginner grinner
    edited May 26, 2010
    underexposed prints with bayphoto
    Andy wrote: »
    Did you print this at Bay Photo with color correction on? Got an order # for me to look at? Thanks!

    They are reprinting everything. Ticket #34893

    regards
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