Printing Photot

[AprilInA2]

I’d like ti know what printing companies reproduced images the best. I used to use Costco, then they shuttered their local photo department. I haven’t used their online service yet. Any thoughts?

 

[coachjohn57]

I use a company near where I live, Diversified Labs (https://divlab.com/) for all of my prints. They’ve always done excellent work, they have a fast turn around, and are very good people to boot.

 

[jadewolf]

My local shop is Richard Photo Lab ( https://richardphotolab.com/ ) Their print shop is online. They aren't the cheapest option out there, but they do good work and I haven't been disappointed yet. This is where I send color film for developing, too.

 

[Nimi]

In Dallas, the best is Hark. Expensive but true fine-art printing.

 

[bleirer]

Some good choices:

FinerWorks | High-Quality Art Printing Services: Transform Your Creativity into Stunning Prints

Elevate your artwork and photography with our fine art printing services. Transform your photos and masterpieces into museum-quality prints. Discover precision and quality in fine art photo printing today.

finerworks.com

Bay Photo Lab - Professional Photo Printing - Prints on Metal, Canvas, Albums & More

Professional photographic printing, press printing, canvas wraps, mounting, Metal Prints, and more for photographers around the world from our state-of-the-art lab.

bayphoto.com

WHCC | Professional Photo Lab

WHCC is the premier provider of professional photography printing, products, and services beyond the camera — helping professional photographers thrive in their craft and the business of photography.

www.whcc.com

Digital Silver Imaging - "The Fine Art of Printing in a Digital World"

DSI Digital Silver Prints®, Color and B&W museum quality inkjet prints, film processing, silver gelatin black and white prints, framing, mounting, matting

digitalsilverimaging.com

 

[absaroka]

Got a question concerning printing. I have sent out several shots to be printed, both paper and metal. They come back a little dark. I know this is because of the way in which the print is lit. Does anyone increase the exposure before sending the shot out to be printed? If so, how much? My monitor is calibrated.

 

[Doug A.]

Got a question concerning printing. I have sent out several shots to be printed, both paper and metal. They come back a little dark. I know this is because of the way in which the print is lit. Does anyone increase the exposure before sending the shot out to be printed? If so, how much? My monitor is calibrated.

I usually increase exposure by about 1/2-stop.

 

[bleirer]

Got a question concerning printing. I have sent out several shots to be printed, both paper and metal. They come back a little dark. I know this is because of the way in which the print is lit. Does anyone increase the exposure before sending the shot out to be printed? If so, how much? My monitor is calibrated.

One thing to look at is the brigh

Got a question concerning printing. I have sent out several shots to be printed, both paper and metal. They come back a little dark. I know this is because of the way in which the print is lit. Does anyone increase the exposure before sending the shot out to be printed? If so, how much? My monitor is calibrated.

Since you calibrate your monitor, you might check that the brightness you set matches your room lighting. Usually between 80 and 120 cd/m2 is recommended. If the room is dark you should use closer to 80, if the room is bright use closer to 120. When prints come back too dark it's often because the monitor is set too bright for the room lighting. Try for room lighting as consistent as possible with no direct sunlight, and if the room still varies a lot try having 2 presets for monitor brightness -one for daytime and one for after dark. During the day I keep the blinds fully closed and the lights off, but there is still some light leaking. I have east and south facing windows so sometimes there is direct sun coming through to the south, so I temporarily hang a towel on a couple little hooks/nails. At night I keep the room lights off but have the hall or closet lights on so I can see a little. Whatever your setup just make it consistent so your final look at the image before printing is always under the same room conditions and monitor brightness. When the prints come back lower your monitor brightness if they are too dark.

 

[absaroka]

I usually increase exposure by about 1/2-stop.

Thank you for your response. Does it matter if it is a bright sunny shot, or a darker woodland shot, or is it always about 1/2 stop?

 

[Doug A.]

Thank you for your response. Does it matter if it is a bright sunny shot, or a darker woodland shot, or is it always about 1/2 stop?

Always about 1/2 stop

 

[bleirer]

Everybody has their method, but in my view automatically raising the exposure slider an extra half stop for printing is a good way to blow out the highlights.

 

[Doug A.]

Everybody has their method, but in my view automatically raising the exposure slider an extra half stop for printing is a good way to blow out the highlights.

In all my years of printing, I have never had the highlights blown out after increasing exposure by 1/2-stop for the print file. That's more a function of how I initially expose my images from the get go (frequently 2/3-stop underexposed from what the meter in Nikon cameras thinks is correct.) YMMV.

 

[Box Brownie]

One thing to look at is the brigh

Since you calibrate your monitor, you might check that the brightness you set matches your room lighting. Usually between 80 and 120 cd/m2 is recommended. If the room is dark you should use closer to 80, if the room is bright use closer to 120. When prints come back too dark it's often because the monitor is set too bright for the room lighting.

IMO this is the key aspect because @absaroka says all the prints come back a bit too dark. So rather than adjust by an offset in post processing......adjust the brightness, within the calibration, to a more appropriate brightness (cd/m2)

PS i edit in a very subdued lighting and my screen is 80cd/m2. Plus, I have taken to printing a quick record print to see how close to the monitor my prints look. NB I calibrate to 6500k and use a desk lamp with a 6500k bulb

Try for room lighting as consistent as possible with no direct sunlight, and if the room still varies a lot try having 2 presets for monitor brightness -one for daytime and one for after dark. During the day I keep the blinds fully closed and the lights off, but there is still some light leaking. I have east and south facing windows so sometimes there is direct sun coming through to the south, so I temporarily hang a towel on a couple little hooks/nails. At night I keep the room lights off but have the hall or closet lights on so I can see a little. Whatever your setup just make it consistent so your final look at the image before printing is always under the same room conditions and monitor brightness. When the prints come back lower your monitor brightness if they are too dark.