Damien Symonds

Hi @ShellyF, let's continue our discussion here. Can you remind me which Spyder you have, what screen you have, and which lab you use?

Ah. In that case, you'll need to find a sky-with-clouds photo and replace it.

Sorry, I can't discuss that here. I wouldn't mind discussing it in the class, though.

Three, actually. Download my PSD

Yes, that's right. Your focal plane looks pretty much perfect, and there's no motion blur. I think you did everything exactly right, within the capabilities of your camera in that light. Don't attempt to print this one until you've taken the Sharpening Class.

Obviously it's not great, but yes, it'll be passable.

Actually, I think that method will work ok. However, do you think your client is expecting some cloud detail in the sky? If so, it's going to be much harder.

Do you like it? I mean, is it something, at least?

Yes, you'll find it when you search on my site.

Still, with a vignette and a gradient map, you could create something? You'd need your normal levels and skin work too, of course.

No doubt there has been extensive editing on that photo. You can see the big copy-and-flip. But it had the right "bones" to begin with.

The reason it works (and yours won't ) is that the background is so blurred, and so "uncluttered", if you know what I mean. Your background has so much going on, and can't be blurred artificially, I'm afraid.

Oh, alas, this is not uncommon. Even very good screens can be troublesome for BW matching. What screen is it?

New lab time.

Alas, sorry. I've got nothing.

Ok. Then I'm afraid you'll need to apply just enough Gaussian Blur to get rid of the problem, masked carefully to the shirt.

What I mean is, your file is perfectly neutral. Absolutely no magenta at all. So the problem is with their print process. Hopefully they have advice for you about what to change in your file to prevent this. But DON'T let them make you pay for the print again. This is a problem with their print process, not your editing process.

Thanks. Your file is perfect. This is a problem with the lab.

Good. Then you need to start the edit again, and make sure that NO sharpening is applied to the file, ANYWHERE in the workflow. Once you've re-edited it, show me the new 100% crop. No it doesn't. It's exactly the same. Make sure you only judge moire at 100% view.

Oh yeah, 120 is madness.

In your case, the studio match might be necessary. You have to search in your Mac settings to find what's causing the brightness to dim. It'll be some kind of power saving thing.

Table lamps are tough. So directional, you know? Hopefully the ceiling light will be enough.

This this is a problem with that particular print run, don't you see? Your lab cocked up. Don't let them tell you different. First, make sure your calibration is perfect, so that it still exactly matches the older set of prints you have. Then hit the lab, all guns blazing. Don't take their crap.

But the recent prints are dark and red?

http://www.damiensymonds.net/2012/01/light-around-your-computer.html