Have you or someone you know ever had professional photos taken, only to be sorely disappointed in how they look on paper?
Perhaps they turned out with a nasty green or grey hue to them….
Many may be quick to put blame on the photographer, wondering what went awry during the editing process.
You’ll be surprised to learn that your photographer likely has nothing to do with this issue at all. Did you order your prints from a big box store- such as Walgreens, Target, or Walmart?
These two images were printed by two different companies, and then scanned directly back into my computer to post here…no further editing was performed.
Here’s the inside scoop…These types of stores have printing machines that are calibrated to best suit the majority of people utilizing their services- those who use cellphones or point and shoot cameras.
Professional level cameras have the ability to capture a MUCH larger range of colors than those other devices. So when a measly drug store machine gets ahold of the extremely detailed images, it doesn’t know how to handle them- often resulting in a dull, lifeless print.
If you are spending your hard earned money on a professional photographer, consider also using a professional print lab, such as Mpix or Miller’s, in order to get the most beautiful form of the art that your photographer has just created for you!
Professional print labs do charge a bit more for their products, in order to offer higher quality paper, higher quality ink, and special coatings that ensure your images are resistant to finger prints, dust, and fading.
Shutterfly is also a good compromise if you’re on a budget. It did turn out a bit orange, but I’ll take that over zombie baby any day! If you’re in a rush, and NEED to walk in somewhere- I have been happy with results from Costco
MAKE SURE that wherever you are printing from, you locate and UNCHECK any little box that says, “Enhance Photo”, “Auto Correct”, or anything along those lines. This gives the machine permission to alter the image in ways that do not turn out pretty!
Invest in an timepiece, not just a disposable print…
