Posted by Bruce King on February 18, 2010 at 10:11 PM
I've been offered an oppotunity to show 3 or 4 of my landscape prints in the lobby at the open house for the new office bldg the company I work for has recently moved into. I'm fairly stoked about it but also very nervous since I've only been taking photos since August of last year and my work is obviously not of professional quality and I certainly don't want to present it as such. Management has seen some of my work so they know what they're getting into. The company is willing to pay for the printing and presentation format, but having just taken up photography I really don't know how to go about getting this done. I haven't had any of my images professionally printed before. Should I process the originals differently for printing, if so how? They are large file jpegs. How do I know how the print will look after only seeing it on my monitor? I don't know what size they want, but I don't think they would be larger than 16X24. I would be more comfortable with all this a year or so from now, but oppotunity is knocking so I'm going for it. This will happen next month the exact date has not been set. Any advice would be gratly appreciated. Thanks Bruce.
Posted by Taylor Reed on February 18, 2010 at 11:28 PM
Bruce, the first step is to calibrate your monitor. There are several options in both brands and price. Once that is completed you can begin soft-proofing your photos, which will emulate what they will look like on a specific printer/paper combination on your screen. If you *really* want to educate yourself on this I recommend the Luminous Landscape video series "From Camera to Print," I learned quite a bit from it. If not, google "monitor calibration" and "soft proofing" and with some research you can find out everything you need. It's pretty daunting at first - I was in your shoes not long ago, but the ability to process your photos and know that they will print out looking very similar to what you see on screen is more than worth it!
If time is at premium, you can use Adobe Gamma that comes with Photoshop to get your monitor 'reasonably' close. The best option, of course, is a calibration tool, as Taylor mentioned.
Steps...
-Calibrate your monitor.
-Obtain printer profiles from the service bureau who will make the prints and install them
-Use soft proofing, as Taylor says.
-Upload or send the files to the service bureau and have them make a proof print of each image.
-Examine the proofs carefully and then make any needed adjustments to the images.
-Upload or send the files for final printing.
Here are a couple of considerations:
Are your image files large enough and with enough detail to be printed at 16x24 at 240 to 360 dpi? If not, you may need to go for a smaller print.
Create a master file from your original jpeg files and use this file to make your adjustments. Next, create a duplicate of the master file and save as a tiff file type, resize it as needed and apply sharpening to this file. (don't sharpen the master file.).
Save this file as tiff also, unless the bureau needs jpegs. If that's the case, save as a jpeg at the highest quality setting. Remember, each time you save the same jpeg file, some loss of quality will occur; so, be careful.
One last note...
If you're going to hang your work on a wall, and someone else is paying for the prints, you really have no option but to create professional-level prints. If you study up on color management and printing, before you begin, you'll achieve quality results with much reduced frustration.
It sounds like a great opportunity for you! You'll do just fine!
--P
Posted by Michael Elenko on February 19, 2010 at 1:32 AM
Bruce,
Congratulations on the exhibition.
Since time is so limited, and there is so much to learn, I would not recommend putting oneself though all that stress of cramming color management into your brain. Just choosing the right frame and printing paper is a consuming task.
Rather, I'd recommend you take the final jpeg files to a professional color lab in your area, explain your requirements, and have them do all the printing, including color corrections. Ask for samples of different paper types so you can choose with some thought behind it.
You'll have plenty of time to learn about lots of other aspects of photography after your first show. I would focus on getting the framing and matting right by working with a professional art framer. Also work on some kind of artist statement or resume. If they allow you to choose the design of the title cards, visit galleries and take note of what you like and dislike. Then work out some basic designs.
This will be an exciting and fun time. I hope you sell them all.
ME
Posted by Katja Rosvall on February 19, 2010 at 5:13 AM
I'll go with Michael. Recently, I too needed printing done for the first time with a tight schedule. My monitor is calibrated, so I tweaked the image to look good in it, took the file to a printer, explained what it's for and it turned out exactly as I wanted. I specifically asked about prints being darker than the original, and the guy at the lab said that they automatically colour correct so it won't happen. I also learned that for hanging on a wall behind glass, you'd want non-glossy paper to avoid double reflections.
Anyway, as Michael said, explain your purpose to the printer and let them do their stuff.
Congrats on the opportunity!
Posted by dan elster on February 19, 2010 at 10:51 AM
First of all, stop beating up your photography. "my work is obviously not of professional quality and I certainly don't want to present it as such" Present it as professionallly as you can!
Process your images to the best of your ability, take the files to a good local lab(not Costco, or Walmart) and have them print a few 4x6's, to see colors, sharpness, etc. If you have any questions/concerns, ask the lab technician - that's why you pay a little more at a "real" lab. Explain to them why these prints are important to you.
Lots of people who don't even know what monitor calibration means, get beautiful 18x24 prints made with ease these days. In short, KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Posted by Bruce King on February 20, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Thanls for all the great advice. My monitor is already calibrated and I had a few 8X10's printed that turned out very well. I'm having the larger prints done at Robi's in Tacoma, WA. The rep I spoke to said they would critique my photos and make any suggestions they felt would improve the prints. I am going to keep it simple; no point in trying to accomplish things in photoshop or whatever that I haven't learned yet and put added pressure on myself timewise.
Dan, I didn't mean to sound like I was down on my photography, I only meant that I don't want anyone to think that I'm trying to sell myself as a pro. Of, course I want my photos to be as professional as possible. Actually, considering that 6 months ago I had no idea what aperture was I think my images are quite good. :>)
Thanks again,
Bruce.
Discussion
6 repliesHow much time before the opening?
If time is at premium, you can use Adobe Gamma that comes with Photoshop to get your monitor 'reasonably' close. The best option, of course, is a calibration tool, as Taylor mentioned.
Steps...
-Calibrate your monitor.
-Obtain printer profiles from the service bureau who will make the prints and install them
-Use soft proofing, as Taylor says.
-Upload or send the files to the service bureau and have them make a proof print of each image.
-Examine the proofs carefully and then make any needed adjustments to the images.
-Upload or send the files for final printing.
Here are a couple of considerations:
Are your image files large enough and with enough detail to be printed at 16x24 at 240 to 360 dpi? If not, you may need to go for a smaller print.
Create a master file from your original jpeg files and use this file to make your adjustments. Next, create a duplicate of the master file and save as a tiff file type, resize it as needed and apply sharpening to this file. (don't sharpen the master file.).
Save this file as tiff also, unless the bureau needs jpegs. If that's the case, save as a jpeg at the highest quality setting. Remember, each time you save the same jpeg file, some loss of quality will occur; so, be careful.
One last note...
If you're going to hang your work on a wall, and someone else is paying for the prints, you really have no option but to create professional-level prints. If you study up on color management and printing, before you begin, you'll achieve quality results with much reduced frustration.
It sounds like a great opportunity for you! You'll do just fine!
--P
Congratulations on the exhibition.
Since time is so limited, and there is so much to learn, I would not recommend putting oneself though all that stress of cramming color management into your brain. Just choosing the right frame and printing paper is a consuming task.
Rather, I'd recommend you take the final jpeg files to a professional color lab in your area, explain your requirements, and have them do all the printing, including color corrections. Ask for samples of different paper types so you can choose with some thought behind it.
You'll have plenty of time to learn about lots of other aspects of photography after your first show. I would focus on getting the framing and matting right by working with a professional art framer. Also work on some kind of artist statement or resume. If they allow you to choose the design of the title cards, visit galleries and take note of what you like and dislike. Then work out some basic designs.
This will be an exciting and fun time. I hope you sell them all.
ME
Anyway, as Michael said, explain your purpose to the printer and let them do their stuff.
Congrats on the opportunity!
Process your images to the best of your ability, take the files to a good local lab(not Costco, or Walmart) and have them print a few 4x6's, to see colors, sharpness, etc. If you have any questions/concerns, ask the lab technician - that's why you pay a little more at a "real" lab. Explain to them why these prints are important to you.
Lots of people who don't even know what monitor calibration means, get beautiful 18x24 prints made with ease these days. In short, KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Dan, I didn't mean to sound like I was down on my photography, I only meant that I don't want anyone to think that I'm trying to sell myself as a pro. Of, course I want my photos to be as professional as possible. Actually, considering that 6 months ago I had no idea what aperture was I think my images are quite good. :>)
Thanks again,
Bruce.