Printed pictures look terrible

[nancyandfriends]

I have my pictures edited (thanks to everyones help, especially Chuck) and now that they are printed...well, they are not what I expected.
I am told that where I got them developed, they do what is called, Intelligent Imaging. Basically, they add more contrast.
So to compensate for it, I added more light and they seemed to add more contrast to compensate for my added light...they are even worse!

Any ideas/ besides taking up photography...as another hobby?
Nancy

[kayser]

Nancy- How frustrating! Lots of the people on the forum actually print their stuff at home to avoid this problem. Not sure if that's an option for you? Also, I've had good luck with Shutterfly.com, where you upload your pics. I have learned from the forum that they use an automatic correction option too (vivid pics, I think?), but you can actually turn it off and get your pictures the way that you want them.

There was a long discussion about printing options, if you're interested in reading that thread:

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3941&highlight=printing+home

[nancyandfriends]

Thank you Kay, I am definitely interested in reading that thread.

Unfortunately, the magazine only wants professionally developed photos. I think it has something to do with the inks coming off or whatever can happen to home printed photos.

I had a lady on another chat tell me about WinkFlash.com for developing.
I sent them off an hour ago, to try them because they use Fuji paper and developing. So far I have not been impressed with Kodak. This correcting that they do really adds too much contrast.

If I knew how to do more on Elements, I could probably lighten the area that keeps coming out dark. All I know at this point is to lighten the whole picture and as I said, they over contrast the developing to compensate for it.

I will look into Shutterfly also...because as you say , you can turn off the 'intelligence'.

Nancy

[Andyd]

Nancy,

Just my $.02 worth. I have used Winkflash a few times and have been happy with the results. Most recently I made my Christmas cards from them and thought they came out decent. I have not used Shutterfly or Snapfish yet, I found shipping cheaper from Winkflash.

Good luck!

Andy

.

[jvolpe]

Hi Andy, thanks for recommending Winkflash. I'll give them a try. I usually use Snapfish w/good results, but the last picture I developed w/them, they chopped the tops of the people's head. I printed them at home and the heads were fine.

[Jodi Frye]

Another idea would be to get yourself a 'real' photo printer and do them yourself....and I don't mean an office printer that claims it prints photos...any printer will print a photo. As far as photo printers go the list is Epson, Canon and HP.

[Kathy]

Hi Nancy,

Another idea to pursue is to find out if there are any "local" photography stores in your area that have a website from which you can download their imaging software for uploading. We have one here that has been in business since 1883 (believe it or not) that just recently added this service and since it is a store devoted totally to photography, they are really helpful. Costs a few cents more than the "big" guys, but the quality is worth it and your prints come out the way you want.

I usually print at home, but when I have a lot of photos to do ..... I go this route.

Kathy

[TonyW]

Kathy: I'm with you on your suggestion . I do the same thing as the people there know what they are doing and if it doesn't come out right they'll help you fix it on the spot. And they have Photoshop available should you need it. If you're lucky enough to have a local store like that then it really pays to use it.

Tony

[nancyandfriends]

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. The idea of a a local photography store is wonderful....but I live in a small town outside of Atlanta. We have Walmart (my favorite place NOT to have to go to)...CVS and Eckerds.
I took the nose off my little critter and gave it a new one, which I won't need to 'liquify' now as I made it really small to compensate for being the one thing that was closest to the camera and therefore turned into this big honker...then took 100 new pictures (God love these little memory cards!) and the light was better today. I finally ended up with some pictures I think are acceptable.
Now I am going to give it one more try at developing. If this doesn't work, then I guess I will just forget the whole thing and not enter the Toby Awards.
I wish they would let us send our art work in rather than a picture. Your work is judged from a picture and IF you are not a professional photograper, your poor little entry is at the mercy of a digital picture and based solely upon whether or not you can take a good photograph or not.
Nancy

[Photo_Rick]

Walmart is never really a good idea for quality beacause they cut back on cost to make the prices cheaper. So they use crappy equipment, chemicals/ink, and paper. As for drugstores......I am the lead tech at an Eckerds so I can give a recomendation from experience on this. Do not use a kiosk to often. And check the machine digital prints will be printed on and who will do the printing. At my store many people deal only with me because I am the most experienced there with the machine. Right aid and cvs aren't usually a good choice because the equipment usually isn't good and they are manned by the manager on duty usually. But make sure the primary printer used in the lab is digital capable and that they will be printed on it. A photo store that does prints is usually a very good choice. That means a store that specifically sells photo equipment and not a kmart.

File prep is also important. Make sure the file is at the correct proportions for what you want printed. I get that problem often. Someone wants a 4x6 and the file they give me is the wrong size. If I crop it to fit they have white bars on the sides they don't want......but if I print at the proportion they give me something gets cut off. Also make sure the resolution is good with the file since if it is too small res any prints made are going to be blurry. Try all the sharpening you want but it won't fix that. And if you want no color corrections or such made........put that in the special instructions box of the order form/envelope. That's why it's there. You can never be too specific with instructions. Also feel free to ask the techs questions if they aren't busy. It's why we're here.

[nancyandfriends]

Wow...Rick , I am sure I am not the only one to gain knowledge from your post.

I have all the resolutions an size set in Elements...so I am assuming they are correct.

I just sent a bunch more off to WinkFlash, but they did not have any options or places to tell them not to do their correcting....but I was told they do not do that...we shall see.

A friend of mine does all her developing at Walgreens and she has 1 person there that she will only deal with...so it must be like your situation.

Thank you Rick, it is nice to have a 'behind the scenes' scenario !
nancy

[Photo_Rick]

Hey I don't mind giving info from behind the lab counter. It's what I do and I've been doing it for years. If ya need any info feel free to ask or message. And just remember the two major tips. 1: Be specific with instructions on what you want. And 2: Talk to the person behind the counter and ask questions.