HELP! color and prints for clients

[silva27]

Hi Everyone,

First of all I like to thank in advance to anyone helping me answer my question. I hope this hasn't been ask yet if it has then I apologize for not finding it myself or this posting is in the wrong place.

I been shooting for a few years now and I love every bit of it. Recently I been ask to do a couples shoot and it is my first paid too. I'm worry about my color space set up if its correct or not. So far this is what I have set up; My laptop monitor is calibrated using Spyder3 express and I am unsure if I suppose to use its profile in the color space? My color space is default to sRGB (for web) should I change it to Adobe RGB for prints because it has more color range? which is better for web and prints or do I have to switch it every time I do web and prints?

When I make a DVD for the clients with their images in it. Can they print their photos from any print lab without having to ask for ICC profiles? I'm worry that their prints will come out different from what I show them on screen. What kind of instructions should I give them before they make their own prints? I know giving instructions to the print lab to make "No adjustments" is correct but is there more to it?

Thanks!

[nokiN]

Laptop displays cannot be accurately calibrated, and have limited viewing angle for image editing..

You say your color space is defaulted to sRGB, but you don't say where. Your camera? Your image editing software? Your laptop display?

The lab making the prints is where to check which color space they can handle. A popular consumer lab called Mpix, only accepts images as sRGB, but some others accept Adobe RGB. For editing I use ProPhoto RGB and then convert as required by the output use of the image.

You would want the labs printer ICC profile soft-proofing the images before they go to your client. You have no control of the prints clients have made from images you give a client on a DVD, which is the biggest reason to sell prints to them instead..

[silva27]

Originally Posted by nokiN

Laptop displays cannot be accurately calibrated, and have limited viewing angle for image editing..

You say your color space is defaulted to sRGB, but you don't say where. Your camera? Your image editing software? Your laptop display?

The lab making the prints is where to check which color space they can handle. A popular consumer lab called Mpix, only accepts images as sRGB, but some others accept Adobe RGB. For editing I use ProPhoto RGB and then convert as required by the output use of the image.

You would want the labs printer ICC profile soft-proofing the images before they go to your client. You have no control of the prints clients have made from images you give a client on a DVD, which is the biggest reason to sell prints to them instead..

I thought no one would kindly help answer this confusion for me, thanks for taking the time to answer my question!

sRGB is defaulted both in camera and CS5 software for editing. Yes, I plan on using Mpix for prints and I understand that making the prints for the clients myself is the best way of producing an exact match and reduce any problems later.

So let me get this straight, you use ProPhoto RGB to edit and use the lab ICC profiles as the output to print out, soft proof it and then save as to send to lab for printing right?

Do you know where I can get step by step process how to do this correctly online? I have search but none gives good steps.

Thanks!

[lonni]

hi

monitor calibrated to the iso is a good start, it does help.

I would suggest getting the colour profile from the print provider, and use that in photoshop for soft proofing and exporting.

This link is the best info i have found on colour, it is from an aussi pro lab, but it explains it good, the links are part way down the page.

Support

HTH

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by silva27

I thought no one would kindly help answer this confusion for me, thanks for taking the time to answer my question!

sRGB is defaulted both in camera and CS5 software for editing. Yes, I plan on using Mpix for prints and I understand that making the prints for the clients myself is the best way of producing an exact match and reduce any problems later.

So let me get this straight, you use ProPhoto RGB to edit and use the lab ICC profiles as the output to print out, soft proof it and then save as to send to lab for printing right?

Do you know where I can get step by step process how to do this correctly online? I have search but none gives good steps.

Thanks!

No, you use the lab ICC profiles for soft proofing only. You convert to sRGB (for most labs) to print.

[silva27]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

No, you use the lab ICC profiles for soft proofing only. You convert to sRGB (for most labs) to print.

Thank you all for the help.

[Biomech]

I was advised against using Adobe RGB, although it has more colour varients apparently most kit doesn't support it and can't display them.