Zenfolio ~ Purchased photo prints dark...

i recently sold my first batch of pictures via Zenfolio. pictures were processed with LR2 and to my eyes, this particular picture was properly exposed. but when the client received the picture, she states the print was dark.

in your honest opinion, is the picture dark - thus printed dark? or the vendor Zenfolio uses usually produce dark prints?

basically, i want to know where i screwed up here....and fix it.

thanks in advance.

The child in this photo is very underexposed. What device are you using to calibrate your monitor?

Bob_A wrote in post #7531878
The child in this photo is very underexposed. What device are you using to calibrate your monitor?

thanks Bob. i was afraid of that.

i actually have not calibrated my monitor and at a loss on how to go about doing so.

There are a couple of good devices out there. I use a Spyder3Pro and it does a decent job.

Until you get a calibration device check your monitor brightness using the following site (seems to be close on my computer):

http://accad.osu.edu …urses/752/black​level.html

Bob_A wrote in post #7531921
There are a couple of good devices out there. I use a Spyder3Pro and it does a decent job.

Until you get a calibration device check your monitor brightness using the following site (seems to be close on my computer):

http://accad.osu.edu/~​aprice/courses/752/bla​cklevel.html

based on that site, my monitor if pretty dead on! so sad to say, it must be my post processing!

here's my newly processed picture, let me know what you think...

Did you turn down your monitors brightness until you can barely see the difference for the last two dark patches? You should need to really squint to tell them apart.

I can see detail in the childs face with this one. If you think it's your post processing maybe look at images in the wedding forum by some of the better pros and see how yours compare.

It still could be your monitor calibration though

Bob_A wrote in post #7532002
Did you turn down your monitors brightness until you can barely see the difference for the last two dark patches? You should need to really squint to tell them apart.

I can see detail in the childs face with this one. If you think it's your post processing maybe look at images in the wedding forum by some of the better pros and see how yours compare.

It still could be your monitor calibration though

yes, i could actually see the difference in the two last patches. i think it's just having the proper "eye" for the proper exposure.

thanks for the time and advice.

MacFly wrote in post #7532004
yes, i could actually see the difference in the two last patches. i think it's just having the proper "eye" for the proper exposure.

thanks for the time and advice.

No problem. The second version is a tiny bit light to me, which just goes to show that it's easy to over do it either way.

The other thing that can make quite a difference is the printing service that you use. Once you calibrate your monitor properly you'll need to learn how to "proof colors" in Photoshop.

About the only thing you're going to be able to do to save this image is to use PS or LR to attack the shadows. While the 'image' is exposed correctly (only due to the reflections on the slide), the subject is severly underexposed as stated above. Try to save the image via PS's shadow/highlight or LR's "fill" sliders.

Obviously, yes - you need to calibrate your system ASAP if you are doing works for paying clients. Make sure LR is setup for sRGB exporting if that's what Zenfolio (MPix) is using. (most likely) You can leave LR in ProPhoto for the wide gamut - just make sure that output is set for sRGB when you save your final JPGs for Zenfolio.

amonline wrote in post #7533693
About the only thing you're going to be able to do to save this image is to use PS or LR to attack the shadows. While the 'image' is exposed correctly (only due to the reflections on the slide), the subject is severly underexposed as stated above. Try to save the image via PS's shadow/highlight or LR's "fill" sliders.

Obviously, yes - you need to calibrate your system ASAP if you are doing works for paying clients. Make sure LR is setup for sRGB exporting if that's what Zenfolio (MPix) is using. (most likely) You can leave LR in ProPhoto for the wide gamut - just make sure that output is set for sRGB when you save your final JPGs for Zenfolio.

the 2nd photo above was reprocessed in LR using the fill light slider. and yes, i do have LR exporting in sRGB after processing.

i just really need to train my "eye" for proper exposure.

Maybe try changing your metering mode will help.

MacFly wrote in post #7531885
thanks Bob. i was afraid of that.

i actually have not calibrated my monitor and at a loss on how to go about doing so.

If you are going to sell prints, the responsible thing to do is invest in a calibrator, Spyder 3 or Eye One Display 2 are good ones, and of course to use it correctly.