Comparison Test

[Ambrosia76]

Ok I had some test prints done with mpix to see how what I see on my PC comes out in their prints. They look good but are slightly darker than what I am seeing on my screen.

Tell me which of these looks better to you as far as color and contrast

Photo 1


Photo 2


Photo 3

[kcoppock]

Definitely the first one, all around. I think it could even stand to be just a TINY bit brighter, but the third image looks overexposed to me. Nothing looks blown out, just very close. Second one's definitely too dark. Cute picture, by the way.

[ArmySoldier777]

To me, definitely the first image. The second is way too underexposed, and the third is just the opposite. I find the first one to be the most pleasing to the eye.

Edit: I agree with kcoppock, the first one could stand to be just a tiny bit brighter, but only slightly.

Hope that helps!
David

[Ambrosia76]

OK well here is my problem the first one is my original edit the file I send to them the print I got was closer to the second photo. I added the third in case for some reason I am not making them bright enough because of what I see on my screen and wanted to know what it looked like on someone else's screen.

I have calibrated my screen but I am using a laptop,so I just had hubby dig his old monitor out of the closet and tomorrow I am going to run it off the laptop and see what it looks like in comparison.

[kcoppock]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

OK well here is my problem the first one is my original edit the file I send to them the print I got was closer to the second photo. I added the third in case for some reason I am not making them bright enough because of what I see on my screen and wanted to know what it looked like on someone else's screen.

I have calibrated my screen but I am using a laptop,so I just had hubby dig his old monitor out of the closet and tomorrow I am going to run it off the laptop and see what it looks like in comparison.

Curious, did you allow or disable color correction when you ordered from MPix?

You can try downloading the ICC Profiles for soft proofing since you've got a calibrated monitor, but of course that's only as accurate as your screen can reproduce color. A lot of laptop screens I've seen aren't able to reproduce some colors accurately (mine can just barely display bright purples). You can download the ICCs here: Mpix.com - Help It does appear a bit darker with proof colors enabled.

[Ambrosia76]

They printed them straight from my file no color correction.

[kcoppock]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

They printed them straight from my file no color correction.

You may try to let them color correct it then. I just ordered some tonight actually, for the first time. Against my gut, I left color correction enabled. That way if there are minor differences between my monitor and their equipment, I'll trust them to correct it. I usually prefer full control myself, though...

[Ambrosia76]

The point was to see if what I see on monitor is what actually is, hence why no color correction. I have noticed when I print things from my printer they are slightly darker also but thought perhaps it was just my cheap printer.