Prints too dark

[andrew_pastore]

Hello, I recently sent an order to Mpix, and got back prints that were much

darker then what was on my screen. I am working with a monitor calibrated with

eye one software, and I perform a calibration once a week. They said that I

should soft proof with their icc profile, but the screen changed very little,

and it was more of a color difference then a brightness change. Does anyone

have suggestions of what is going on here, any help would be appriciated. Also,

please no suggestions of printing at home. I really like the way "old fashoned"

prints feel. Thanks in advance..

 

 

Andy

[alfaromeo]

Is your monitor a LCD monitor?

[david_henderson]

When you're soft proofing, do you check the "simulate paper colour" box. That usually results in my on-screen images looking somewhat darker and duller and I may have to boost brightness prior to sending a file.

[andrew_pastore]

Yes. it is a LCD.

[alfaromeo]

I found the LCD screens display much brighter image than it is in reality, unless you have some super expensive one designated for photo works, thats why the prints look darker. Try to calibrate it and then turn the contrast down a little to match the print. I had to buy a CRT to get it close. Also what kind of the LCD is yours? Those with the high contrast ratio prone to contrsast mismatch.

[alfaromeo]

also keep in mind that the first one is the emiting light vs reflective on the print. Also since you view the print at daylight the darkroom or the monitour area should be lit close to daylight as well. I found when my room has the same lightning conditions as where I look at the prints, the image on the screen is much dimmer and pretty much resembles the prints. That's why I always make the pictures brighter on the screen than normal when I work in the dark environment

[igor_sergeev]

Try to light up your prints from behind. When print will be emitting about 100 candelas/square meter of light, you can compare it with monitor. It's a fair method.