Damien Symonds

Are you interested in seeing my PSD file so far?

Well, I'd rather not waste either of our time editing photos that you don't actually intend to use. Since you like this photo of the two girls against the green backdrop, I'd prefer to concentrate our efforts on finding a style that works for them.

Maybe this is more what you had in mind?

Can you link me to an example with a plain dark background like your photo has? Rather than a busy background like the example you've given?

It's not HDR. Everyone makes that mistake. It's called "tonemapping". Google will find you lots of info about it.

Is this anything like?

Oh crap!!!!! Your photo is Adobe RGB!

There used to be a plugin called "Lucis" that did this. I don't know if it exists any more.

There's so much wrong with this I don't really know where to start. First of all, please read this and tell me when you have done so: https://www.damiensymonds.net/2011/09/cropping-tutorial.html

@photopro this is really really really really REALLY terrible. You must never do this. He's right, your files are MUCH too small.

Yay!

Make sure you're following the "Troubleshooting" part of my calibration instructions, about 3/4 of the way down the page.

No, use "Do not adjust", exactly as my instructions say.

So, do that, then calibrate again.

Ok, so move it a bit higher, so that your screen isn't so warm, yeah?

Great! And when you open that, what Temp is it on presently? As I understand it, it's a range from 5000 to 10000K.

Referring to Page 39 of the screen manual, which Color Setting have you got your screen on at the moment? "Standard" or something else?

That's good news. Now, the colour. Can you fill in the blank in this sentence for me? "My screen is _______ [cooler/warmer] than my prints".

Ok. And if it's possible for your eyes to ignore those blown out parts for now, do you think the overall photos are approximately the correct brightness on screen now? I'm talking about the midtone and shadow areas. Or is your screen too bright, or too dark, in those areas?

Wonderful. Because they look good to me too. Of the three photos you posted above, which one has "overexposed areas" on screen?

Is this correct?

We can ONLY discuss photos that have prints, so of course I have deleted your last photo. Also, DO NOT MENTION YOUR PHONE AGAIN, or I am walking away from this conversation. Is that clear?

Am I correct in thinking that you are happy with all of these prints?

Could you show me all the photos you're comparing?

Chana, I fear you're overcomplicating this. Your screen must match your prints. It's that simple. If your screen is presently brighter than your prints, the brightness needs to go lower.