I have tried to print some of my images and have run into an issue where the prints come out significantly darker than I expected.
I process my images on a calibrated NEC PA242W monitor using the NEC SpectraView II software. Below is a screenshot of my current calibration settings which I believe were based on recommendations that I found on a post from Preston in this forum.
I have printed my images through Aspen Creek photo. I asked them about getting ICC profiles, but they said that they don't provide them. I used them because they are owned by West Coast Imaging which I understand to be a reputable printer and I have had some older images printed without an issue, but those were much more even lighting.
The original image is probably processed too dark even for web. However, if you scroll down to the bottom of the thread, you will see a re-processed image which represents the most recent version that I have tried to print. It is improved, but still not where I think it needs to be for a print.
I would appreciate any suggestions that you might have for preparing images for print. It could also that differences in ambient light where I process my photos could be having an impact. Thank you in advance for any suggestions that you have to offer. It seems that there is always so much more to learn!
Your calibration target values should get you real close for a print. Note; I have my intensity set 110.00 cd/m2
If the date of your last calibration (10/18/2017) is correct, then you need to calibrate your monitor! I am certain it has drifted considerably since then. Since it has been such a long time, I suggest you run the calibration at least twice. You goal is get as close to your target values as possible and a low DeltaE.
After you calibrate, we need to look at the values that resulted from the calibration. Grab a screen shot of the SpectraView Information Window (Tools>Information Window) and post it here.
Also, do you soft Proof in Photo Shop? If you know the paper type that Aspen Creek uses, you might be able to find a profile on-line from paper's manufacturer. Download it and place it in C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color. Next, open PhotoShop and look in View>Proof setup...>Custom. Under Proof Conditions, Device to Simulate, find the profile you just installed and select it. Click OK.
Now, you should be able to soft proof using that profile.
btw: Getting a perfect match between a monitor and a paper print is the holy grail. We can get pretty close, but test prints and further tweaks in PS are pretty much required. So, don't feel bad about having the blues!
--P
Thank you for taking the time to respond. While it had been a while since I had run the calibration, I ran it just a short time before I re-processed the image to print and it still came out too dark. Between the holidays and things getting busy at work and just some frustration from the process I haven't processed anything until my post on Saturday.
I ran the calibration tool, and here is a screenshot of the SpectraView information window. For some reason the Delta E came out higher the second time I ran it (it was 0.20 the first time). I will try to re-run the calibration later this week to see if I can get a little closer.
I will look again to see if I can find the paper profile for soft-proofing. I recall looking online back in the fall, but don't recall finding quite the right match. I had contacted Aspen Creek at the time and asked specifically about getting ICC profiles and soft-proofing and they said that they don't provide the profiles and the best approach is just to get test prints made. Maybe I should try a different print company, but I'm not sure if that is the issue or not.
Thank you again for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate your help!
Thanks for posting your calibration results. Your target and calibrated values are excellent. Your Delta E is also excellent (any Delta E below 2 will not be visible). You don't really need to run the calibration routine again. (Note: I calibrate my PA272 every 2 weeks, or close to it.)
Here's an article from Chromix Color Wiki that may be of help in obtaining a good monitor/printer match.
The key here is having a color profile specific to the paper being used. Since Aspen Creek will not provide you with a profile, you may be out of luck unless you can find a profile for the paper they use. Just my opinion, but I think it's a bad policy on Aspen Creek's part to not provide a profile, especially if they charge for test prints.
Soft proofing is not a panacea. It is helpful, and get you reasonably close, but you will still have to make test prints.
- It is surprising that Aspen Creek doesn't provide ICC profiles to their "print" customers. If I were in your shoes, I'd find a printing shop that doesn't operate in this fashion.
- A printer profile is created for a specific combination of 1) printer, 2) paper and 3) ink-set. So you can't just download an ICC profile for a particular paper without knowing which printer and ink-set are being used to make the print(s).
- I looked at the image you have provided. Even the re-processed version is dark near the bottom of the frame. Images of this type generally need more light to be directed toward the print for it to really come alive.
Thanks, Preston. I think I will try a different printing service to see if I can find one that can provide an ICC profile. Do you have any recommendations?
Discussion
6 repliesI process my images on a calibrated NEC PA242W monitor using the NEC SpectraView II software. Below is a screenshot of my current calibration settings which I believe were based on recommendations that I found on a post from Preston in this forum.
I have printed my images through Aspen Creek photo. I asked them about getting ICC profiles, but they said that they don't provide them. I used them because they are owned by West Coast Imaging which I understand to be a reputable printer and I have had some older images printed without an issue, but those were much more even lighting.
The image in particular that I am trying to print is this one: http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=244458&CGISESSID=a0db1ab2338d907dc6a3448d883a66f7&u=25756&title_action=
The original image is probably processed too dark even for web. However, if you scroll down to the bottom of the thread, you will see a re-processed image which represents the most recent version that I have tried to print. It is improved, but still not where I think it needs to be for a print.
I would appreciate any suggestions that you might have for preparing images for print. It could also that differences in ambient light where I process my photos could be having an impact. Thank you in advance for any suggestions that you have to offer. It seems that there is always so much more to learn!
Your calibration target values should get you real close for a print. Note; I have my intensity set 110.00 cd/m2
If the date of your last calibration (10/18/2017) is correct, then you need to calibrate your monitor! I am certain it has drifted considerably since then. Since it has been such a long time, I suggest you run the calibration at least twice. You goal is get as close to your target values as possible and a low DeltaE.
After you calibrate, we need to look at the values that resulted from the calibration. Grab a screen shot of the SpectraView Information Window (Tools>Information Window) and post it here.
Also, do you soft Proof in Photo Shop? If you know the paper type that Aspen Creek uses, you might be able to find a profile on-line from paper's manufacturer. Download it and place it in C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color. Next, open PhotoShop and look in View>Proof setup...>Custom. Under Proof Conditions, Device to Simulate, find the profile you just installed and select it. Click OK.
Now, you should be able to soft proof using that profile.
btw: Getting a perfect match between a monitor and a paper print is the holy grail. We can get pretty close, but test prints and further tweaks in PS are pretty much required. So, don't feel bad about having the blues!
--P
Thank you for taking the time to respond. While it had been a while since I had run the calibration, I ran it just a short time before I re-processed the image to print and it still came out too dark. Between the holidays and things getting busy at work and just some frustration from the process I haven't processed anything until my post on Saturday.
I ran the calibration tool, and here is a screenshot of the SpectraView information window. For some reason the Delta E came out higher the second time I ran it (it was 0.20 the first time). I will try to re-run the calibration later this week to see if I can get a little closer.
I will look again to see if I can find the paper profile for soft-proofing. I recall looking online back in the fall, but don't recall finding quite the right match. I had contacted Aspen Creek at the time and asked specifically about getting ICC profiles and soft-proofing and they said that they don't provide the profiles and the best approach is just to get test prints made. Maybe I should try a different print company, but I'm not sure if that is the issue or not.
Thank you again for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate your help!
Thanks for posting your calibration results. Your target and calibrated values are excellent. Your Delta E is also excellent (any Delta E below 2 will not be visible). You don't really need to run the calibration routine again. (Note: I calibrate my PA272 every 2 weeks, or close to it.)
Here's an article from Chromix Color Wiki that may be of help in obtaining a good monitor/printer match.
The key here is having a color profile specific to the paper being used. Since Aspen Creek will not provide you with a profile, you may be out of luck unless you can find a profile for the paper they use. Just my opinion, but I think it's a bad policy on Aspen Creek's part to not provide a profile, especially if they charge for test prints.
Soft proofing is not a panacea. It is helpful, and get you reasonably close, but you will still have to make test prints.
--P
A few thoughts on this subject:
- It is surprising that Aspen Creek doesn't provide ICC profiles to their "print" customers. If I were in your shoes, I'd find a printing shop that doesn't operate in this fashion.
- A printer profile is created for a specific combination of 1) printer, 2) paper and 3) ink-set. So you can't just download an ICC profile for a particular paper without knowing which printer and ink-set are being used to make the print(s).
- I looked at the image you have provided. Even the re-processed version is dark near the bottom of the frame. Images of this type generally need more light to be directed toward the print for it to really come alive.
A very nice photo btw.
I agree with Anil on the points he made above.
Just wondering if you have made any progress on your print, and what the solution turned out to be?
--P