Damien Symonds

Ok, let's work through this.

It's very rare to crop before flattening.  It certainly shouldn't happen in this case.  So flatten first, then check for clipping.  Then crop, and check again.  Report what you see.

Are you sure you're viewing at 100% in both cases??

It matters a LOT.  And those numbers are vague suggestions only.

Please don't wait a moment longer to take the Print Sharpening Class.  It will blow your mind.

Yeah, the pattern was my concern.  As long as the pattern disappears, we're rosy.

For the colour, just add a new blank layer, then use the eyedropper tool to sample a bit of good colour, then add a Solid Color layer of that colour (the blank layer will turn into the SolCol layer automatically) and set its blend mode to "Color", then mask it on.

10 minutes ago, Janet445 said:

Yes, and in some cases the pattern disappears

Ok, I need to see a 100% crop of an area where it doesn't disappear.

Does this happen even if you save at Level 12?

2 hours ago, SarahS76 said:

I have now completely re-edited my file.  I reduced exposure in RAW, even though it didn't need it based on the histogram.  I have reduced midtones and did NOT push highlights during my levels editing.  I had NO clipped areas when I had completed the edit.  I cropped the file at 300ppi, and did NOT save as a JPEG yet.  Did NOT sharpen yet.  Clipping all over.  What on earth is happening?

May I see screenshots for this?

Hi Janet, just to check, have you read this article?

Yes, it's always been my feeling that the X-Rites are a bit easier to use than the Spyders.

Other people have reported this too.  I've never been able to figure out why it does that to some people, I'm sorry.

24 minutes ago, Jennifer said:

The screen actually seemed to match the prints color-wise much better, though.

Ultimately, this is what matters.  I'm glad you got a better result.

Yeah, maybe that's so.  How many prints are you comparing in total?

Also, how's the light in your room?

Any luck?

Sorry to harp on about this, but do you have this turned on?

Yes, they've always jumped.  Relax.

No, it's right, but you didn't actually mention that you'd done it?

Hang on, did you add the levels layer over the top of all the other layers in the PSD, and check that way?

No, that's correct.  Relax.

That should be high enough not to cause change.

How were you checking for clipping?

54 minutes ago, Amanda C. said:

but the program won't let me drag over to the external monitor once it gets to the image to place the calibrator.

You need to do this as soon as you launch the software.  Don't wait until you get all the way to the placing-the-calibrator part.

Can you tell me the exact filename of the file, including the extension?

I'm sorry Eddie, this all starts with raw processing.  You'll have to wait.

What quality level did you save the jpeg at?

16 minutes ago, Lisa Manchester said:

I think the skin tones look good.

This is all that matters.  Numbers are meaningless. I think it looks good too.

These pieces look obviously stretched.  I think it would look better if they looked like real puzzle piece shapes.

And yes, the pen tool.

This is ridiculous.  You're WAY off track here.  Tell me about your room lighting, darn it.