Problem

[mattchewone]

I did some PP after a shoot i did and it was my first time doing PP for alot of pictures and all on RAW images so i think i did ok.
When i printed them they came out very light and didnt look like what was on the screen. I used Mac preview to print them as when i use photoshop they come out even lighter.

Any reasons why?

[mattyh]

Is your monitor calibrated?

[mattchewone]

Not that i am aware of. Im using a Mac laptop. So no.

So is what the printer is printing is what i am supposed to be seeing? How can i calibrate it?

[a1ex2001]

Post one up here and I'm sure someone with a decently calibarated monitor will be able to tell you if it's a monitor problem which I suspect it is. I'm looking to invest in a pantone huey or similar to calibrate my monitor up as I'm getting a bit tired of the guess work when getting them printed!

[mattchewone]

Just waiting to get permission from the people i took the pictures of so i can post them. Is there no free calibration software? If not whats the cost of a calibration system?

[mattyh]

You don't need their permission ;)

Your monitor won't be showing a true representation of the colours of the photo. As a1ex says, you'll need to get something like a huey or spyder (about £60 or so, try morris photographic). Then you can tell the computer to manage the colours, rather than allowing the printer to control them. That will ensure that you get accurate screen to print colours, and all will be right with the world :D

[Byker28i]

The other suggestion is printers such as Photobox provide a claibration print. You compare this to an image on their website and adjust your monitor.

They'll send you one before your first order if you ask.
http://www.photobox.co.uk/content/quality-advice/calibration

[mattchewone]

You don't need their permission ;)

Your monitor won't be showing a true representation of the colours of the photo. As a1ex says, you'll need to get something like a huey or spyder (about £60 or so, try morris photographic). Then you can tell the computer to manage the colours, rather than allowing the printer to control them. That will ensure that you get accurate screen to print colours, and all will be right with the world :D

Well as they are a friend i want to ask :) Dont want to upset them in anyway im sure they will be fine but want to ask.

So once i have the monitor calibrated i will see on the screen what it should be. Will i need to calibrate the printer aswell?
Can you use the calibration software on more than one pc/laptop?
Is it easy to use?
Thanks

[moomike]

Try:

http://www.bergdesign.com/supercal/

It's shareware too so is free to try out - I used it before spyder calibrating my monitor & it was practically identical & very easy to use :thumbs:

[mattchewone]

Try:

http://www.bergdesign.com/supercal/

It's shareware too so is free to try out - I used it before spyder calibrating my monitor & it was practically identical & very easy to use :thumbs:

On the site is says a single user license is $19.
Just realised you download and use first to test it and then purchase after if you like it.

[moomike]

Yep, works a treat too, very nice program :thumbs:

[fletch5]

hi matt, you dont say whether you printed them yourself or not. it might be your printer that needs some adjustments if your printing them yourself.

[mattchewone]

Sorry i am printing them myself using a canon MP610 with original canon inks and canon glossy photo paper.

How may i adjust my printer?
I have just re-printed one picture after screen calibration and re PP one image and there isnt a great deal of difference Just a slight difference in skin tone.