First order w/P-shop mods...

rich56k · October 5, 2006

Just placed my first print order that included extensive (for me)
P/Shop CS mods....
2 pics that orig had the #2 on both the front and back of bike,
cust won the season so asked me could he get those 2 pics both 20x30", mounted (I can do at my former employers), and to remove the #2 in each case...this I've done also (with some help)
My question / anxiety is based on that i ordered them both as 'autocolor' (always have in the past and all is good)they are shipping to me as i must mount/deliver by Oct 14...(paid extra for 2day ship, too)
i did do some minor tweeks in levels/curves and the photo#1 (of2)
in the order was kind of close on the min pixels req for 20x30 (which is more than req for 30x40!!??)
so of course I'm wondering should i have gone with true color (my monitor is not calibrated beyond the iMac built in calibration feature)

order # is 181585

Are my worries unfounded??:dunno
Thanks,
rich
http://rich56k.smugmug.com

dogwood · October 5, 2006

don't stress too much
Everything I've read here is that the autocolor is pretty darn good. Especially if you don't have a calibrated monitor-- it may end up better than what you would have gotten otherwise. And big prints are usually viewed at a slight distance rather than inches away-- so I'll bet your pixel dimensions are fine too.

But yeah-- there's always that anticipation while you wait for the prints to arrive-- somethings haven't changed much from film to digital, have they?

Andy · October 5, 2006

I'm looking at your files right now. While they download:

1) larger prints can be fewer pixels - that's why the min on 30x40 is a bit less than 20x30. As Pete said, you are viewing them from further away.. but that being said, I recommend uploading as many original pixels as possible.

2) As to the question about autocolor, the biggest issue for true color prints is exposure. Monitors are getting brighter all the time but prints never change, so it fools many photographers into thinking their photos are adjusted correctly, only to have them come out too dark with true color. Here's a help section about that:

http://www.smugmug.com/help/too-dark

The second is shadow detail. Prints don't have the dynamic range between darkness and light that monitors do. So we bring up the shadows some on autocolor. And skin tones end up being more pleasing. It's why so few labs offer a true color option anymore.

As to your two motorcycle shots. I'm glad you chose AutoColor - they're both slightly underexposed in the parts that matter, and our Auto Color will bring up the exposure somewhat without compromising the images.

Andy · October 5, 2006

rich56k wrote:

(my monitor is not calibrated beyond the iMac built in calibration feature)

You are a pro, right- get the pro tools. The Huey is only $70 +/-, and it's invaluable IMO.

http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1174347

rich56k · October 5, 2006

dogwood wrote:

Everything I've read here is that the autocolor is pretty darn good. Especially if you don't have a calibrated monitor-- it may end up better than what you would have gotten otherwise. And big prints are usually viewed at a slight distance rather than inches away-- so I'll bet your pixel dimensions are fine too.

But yeah-- there's always that anticipation while you wait for the prints to arrive-- somethings haven't changed much from film to digital, have they?

Pete,

Thanks for your reply and info,
and yes you're also right about the anticipation! (:cry )
And of course, head can really get me carried away at times..
(The "my brain thinks it's me" syndrome!

)
Thanks again,
rich

rich56k · October 5, 2006

Andy wrote:

I'm looking at your files right now. While they download:

1) larger prints can be fewer pixels - that's why the min on 30x40 is a bit less than 20x30. As Pete said, you are viewing them from further away.. but that being said, I recommend uploading as many original pixels as possible.

2) As to the question about autocolor, the biggest issue for true color prints is exposure. Monitors are getting brighter all the time but prints never change, so it fools many photographers into thinking their photos are adjusted correctly, only to have them come out too dark with true color. Here's a help section about that:

http://www.smugmug.com/help/too-dark

The second is shadow detail. Prints don't have the dynamic range between darkness and light that monitors do. So we bring up the shadows some on autocolor. And skin tones end up being more pleasing. It's why so few labs offer a true color option anymore.

As to your two motorcycle shots. I'm glad you chose AutoColor - they're both slightly underexposed in the parts that matter, and our Auto Color will bring up the exposure somewhat without compromising the images.

Andy,

Thanks,
both for your informative response and the links provided...
have checked them both and will be ordering the Huey
quite soon (I was/am one of those literally 'fetally positioned'
when it came to color mgmt.

)
And thanks for checking my order personally,
you are a big part of what keeps smugmug 'ahead of the pack'

I appreciate your attention and help,
thanks again,
rich
http://rich56k.smugmug.com

First order w/P-shop mods...

Comments