Is it the processing or just me?

[monique_evette]

Hi everyone!

I just recently got my prints back from MPIX.com and I really wasn't happy at all.

Has anyone had any trouble with the clarity and color of their prints with them? I shot a wedding and the colors were more vibrant and clear on the computer than on the actual print.

I did select the option to have them color correct, could that be it? Also, there seemed to be a soft haze over the prints. Maybe its just me, but I have just switched to digital and even with a 8mp camera I don't seem to be getting the amount of sharpness I would like.

I am using the same canon lens on my digital Rebel XT that I use to use on my canon A2. If there is any suggestions before my next wedding this Saturday that would be great!

[brad]

I wasn't super happy with the color balance they did on the last prints.. but I've never had a problem with them when I did the work before printing..

[Wes]

Personally, I would never let them color correct my photos. You sent them to them just as you thought they should be, and then you asked them to change them. My guess is that this is probably what happened.

Personally, I've never had a problem with MPIX and have been very happy with their work.

[AndrewCCM]

Is your monitor at home color calibrated? The color/contrast on an LCD (if not calibrated) can vary greatly from a print. But I agree..I wouldn't have them color correct either. That is what I am for. LOL

[monique_evette]

Ok, so no color correction. Well, I will try them one more time and hopefully all goes well.
Thanks guys!

[suzyjazz]

I have used Mpix a few times and my photos have always turned out great. I let them make color correction. My CRT is calibrated but I am not sure how good of a job I did. So far my prints at home are coming out great so I guess I did OK on that.

[MarekWK]

make sure your display is calibrated and don't let them do any color correction. so far, I had an excellent experience with MPIX.

[monique_evette]

Originally Posted by MarekWK

make sure your display is calibrated and don't let them do any color correction. so far, I had an excellent experience with MPIX.

My display? On my digital camera? I didnt know that you could do that. I will have to look at the manual for that one.

[MarekWK]

Originally Posted by monique_evette

My display? On my digital camera? I didnt know that you could do that. I will have to look at the manual for that one.

I meant the monitor... whether CRT or LCD

[Bill]

Get a picture made at a local Wal-Mart or whatever has a lab. Compare to mpix. Talk to the lab tech.

Read the camera manual thoroughly about adjustments in the camera for sharpness, contrast, and saturation.

Pictures on monitors often look better than prints. Slides do, too. So, compare prints to prints, not to monitors.

If you are not familiar with digital photography, other than what the camera manual says, go to a bookstore, pull down a book or two about it, find a chair, and start learning. Many books will explain monitor calibration.

You might see if the local college has an informal course on digital photography.

[babybluetx23]

I havent had any problems either. But I ALWAYS make sure to put the check mark in DO NOT color correct my photo.

[Daniel Bates]

Mpix does fine work in my experience. And I never let them color correct my shots--that's what I spend so much time in PS for!

[digitaldooda]

Your monitor display and the camera display are always going to look more vibrant. Calibrate your monitor. I also find that desaturating my monitor a bit will help me better relate to the printed piece. Check your histogram to be sure your exposure is correct. Also, labs are limited to srgb as a color space.....this is not their arbitrary preference, it is the limitation of the photo paper in chemical processing and that is what they are using to get you the most economical proofs. If you are shooting in Adobe 1998, then be sure to convert to srgb before sending it to the lab.

[DavidsStudio]

Originally Posted by monique_evette

Ok, so no color correction. Well, I will try them one more time and hopefully all goes well.
Thanks guys!

Just as a summary of what everyone else has said when using Mpix:

Calibrate your monitor - Essential for any work
Convert to sRGB
Never allow Mpix to color correct.

David

[billbunton]

Originally Posted by digitaldooda

Calibrate your monitor. I also find that desaturating my monitor a bit will help me better relate to the printed piece.

Or get a profile from the lab and soft-proof. They won't supply a profile for their actual printer? Find another lab...

Not picking on mpix here, I don't know if they will supply a profile for the actual printer to be used or not.