Ordering A Print For Yourself Before Making It Public?

You can put each one in a password protected gallery until you are satisfied with the results.

Yes, make a password coded collection and put them in that.

That could work out expensive as you get more images on line. You can ask for a critique of your work here and you will be told if it would print or not and any other problems they may have

That's not really necessary just upload good hi-res images at the largest pixel dimensions you have.

Thanks.

The reason I want to print them is because I found that what looks good online or on my computer looks too dark when printed, so I have to re-edit everything for print, but I won't know if I got it right until I see it in print. I've tried using local printers and my own printer but they all print differently, so I figured the best way would be to order them from here so I can see exactly how they will look. Once I do a few and figure out just how much they usually have to be lightened for print, then I won't have to keep doing it.

Sandy, I have always got a print from new labs I used to make sure our color profiles matched. I dont think you will need more than one to check this. Great idea and welcome.

It would probably be prudent to get a monitor calibration system so that prints will match what you see on your computer. An example would be Datacolor Spyder4 (version 5 is now out).

Nature Photography Prints

I have the Spyder and have calibrated my monitor. The colors are ok, it's just the brightness and contrast that's still off.

Not sure which Spyder you have. Some of the less expensive models calibrate colors but not brightness. I use the Spyder4Pro which does a good job calibrating brightness so that prints come out as expected. Welcome, btw.

Nature Photography Prints

Thanks for the welcome.

I have the older Spyder which doesn't calibrate brightness. I probably should get a newer one. I think I have the brightness close now, at least compared with a print I made on my own printer. Had to turn it down all the way to 28 out of 100. Hopefully this will match FAA too. Haven't gotten the contrast close enough though. The prints on my own printer are still turning out dull compared to what I see on my screen.

If you have access to a Sam's Club or Costco, you might consider ordering a print from there of one of your images and then adjusting your monitor to match the print as closely as possible. Sam's will print on a calibrated Epson professional printer that will be comparable to where FAA gets prints (although the Sam's paper will be thinner and cheaper).

Nature Photography Prints

Ok, thanks. Nearest Sam's is 3 hours away, but I have to go near there soon, so I'll try that.

Order a test print.

If it comes out dark, boost your brightness by 10% or so before ordering.

BTW - are you looking at the histogram? You should be able tell from the histogram if the exposure is right.

i'd just order one, that will be very expensive, plus, we have like 20 fulfillment centers. what you get, may not be what the customer gets. be sure to add an avatar so you show in the search. the password gallery would work best for you.


---Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

Thanks for the help, everyone.