My prints from Sams were attrocious, is it me or them?

So is that pretty much what that means? I was too close to the bird to print it small? I just have to go to a larger size. Sorry i am really new to all this

No you weren't too close to the bird to print it small... but your camera sensor captures the image in a 2:3 ratio. e.g.: 2x3, 4x6, 8x16, 16x24 etc... If you want to print outside of this ratio something has to give. In this case, to print 11" tall you will lose width. If you jump up to 17" wide then you will lose some off the height. But if you print at 8x16, or anything within this ratio, you will get it all. I hope this makes sense...?

Have you ever printed before and how were the results ?

hckydad wrote in post #11957982
No you weren't too close to the bird to print it small... but your camera sensor captures the image in a 2:3 ratio. e.g.: 2x3, 4x6, 8x16, 16x24 etc... If you want to print outside of this ratio something has to give. In this case, to print 11" tall you will lose width. If you jump up to 17" wide then you will lose some off the height. But if you print at 8x16, or anything within this ratio, you will get it all. I hope this makes sense...?

of course you mean 8x12!

Very nice pic j.litton.

I don't know what sam's is capable of... I would have a 11x14 print made but keep my original ratio i.e. a 8x12 photo centered in the 11x14 print.

monty28428 wrote in post #11958071
of course you mean 8x12!

Very nice pic j.litton.

I don't know what sam's is capable of... I would have a 11x14 print made but keep my original ratio i.e. a 8x12 photo centered in the 11x14 print.

Yes... Thanks..! It's past my bed time ... Good night...

I use Sams for T&I prints, so much so that the girls at my local club know to turn off their Auto Color Correct if I forget to.

I've never used Sam's Club, but I have used Costco when time is short. I've generally been pleased with their results. When I have plenty of time, though, I almost always print directly through Aperture. I've always found the quality of the prints to be impeccable. The only caveat is that they don't offer an 11x14 option.

Ok, i took your advice, re-cropped and exported everything. Now wish me luck in talking Sams into re-printing for free since the others were crap

Have you ever printed before and how were the results ? I'm asking since it would help diagnose if it is Sam's or something else.

No I hadn't

A few of the things that could be wrong on your end

1) non calibrated monitor
2) not using profile aware editing or viewing software. sRGB would not be an issue, everything else, yes.
3) not setting up the editing software properly (working space, monitor profile)
4) editing in anything other than sRGB and sending an untagged image to Sam's or other.

It was their autocorrection. Everything looks great now

bohdank wrote in post #11960855
A few of the things that could be wrong on your end

1) non calibrated monitor
2) not using profile aware editing or viewing software. sRGB would not be an issue, everything else, yes.
3) not setting up the editing software properly (working space, monitor profile)
4) editing in anything other than sRGB and sending an untagged image to Sam's or other.

FYI one more thing: the monitors on the kiosks at Sam's (and most other stores) are ATROCIOUS, crappy, uncalibrated TN panels. just fyi

True but who cares. I assume you've edited on your own calibrated monitor and only use the kiosk to transfer and print the image.

bohdank wrote in post #11967706
True but who cares. I assume you've edited on your own calibrated monitor and only use the kiosk to transfer and print the image.

Hehe yep, just throwing that out ther. You'd be surprised what people do, though. The point really is just to do what you said--color correct at home.

One more thing. Many Sam's Clubs are now getting DL-410 or DL-430 fuji "dry lab" inkjet printers. Basically they are a low-resolution (720dpi), but fast inkjet. The quality isn't *quite* as good, resolution wise, as the wet labs. However in many cases (due to chemistry, paper, etc) the color is as good or sometimes better. They are better than dye-sublimation ("instant" prints, though dye-sub prints can still be very good) because the d-max is substantially better. So if your local Sam's has them, don't be afraid to try 'em out. You may wish to sharpen your images differently, though.