Samantha LaRue

Well that's weird. That's definitely sRGB there. Tell me about how you save your images? Do you use an action? What save options do you use?

No, it's in AdobeRGB. Open the image up in PS and take a screenshot for us.

Can I see a screenshot of your layers panel?

You can't do this on a Mac. You'd need to rely on the software for the calibrator to make that adjustment, which is what Damien's instructions help you do. (Adjust the color temp of the monitor to match the prints)

I haven't seen the PSD, but I'm guessing Damien used a gradient layer, not the gradient tool. You can find the gradient layer under the new layers button on the bottom of the layers panel. Are you familiar with layer masks? A big soft brush is all you need.

That can't be right. I don't think your harddrive is only 4gb, with 2gb free. Can you check that part again?

Oh boy, the noise is bad in this. Did you shoot in raw or jpeg? Is this SOOC or edited?

Here are Damien's recommendations: http://www.damiensymonds.net/what2buy_cal.html The Express is generally not recommended.

At this stage, I'd order prints from a different lab just to confirm that it's not a lab error. While it's unlikely that they messed up images from 2 different batches, it's not impossible.

The update will work fine if your version of PS supports that camera model.

And you said you ordered new prints from the same lab that are also much cooler than your monitor?

Ignore the skin tones for a bit and just worry about the fabrics and how they match. Are the prints still cooler than your monitor?

I honestly don't even see a grey portion since it looks so warm to me. I see shades of light brown and caramel, taupe etc. Are you sure the lab did not apply any color correction to your images? Where did you order from?

Well, I don't see anything wrong with the file itself. Is that the exact same file you sent to the lab? Lets back up a bit. Just to make sure we are on the same page. The brightness is fine. But your monitor is warmer or cooler than the prints?

can you send me the jpeg you sent to the lab? so I can see it on my screen? https://www.dropbox.com/request/K5oZIgNacH8L19eG7A5n

Color munki display?

The recommendation Damien gives for brightness is a loose guideline. It doesn't apply to everyone, that's why you need to make sure the light in your room is as good as it can be, and then you need to lower the brightness further until it does match. That's the first step.

It's not about what you prefer. Your monitor is lying to you. Your prints are your prints. I'd definitely check your colorspace like Christina and Damien mentioned. You'll also need to keep lowering your brightness of your monitor until it matches your prints, and/or increase the light in your room.

Unless you selected "save actions" and backed them up yourself, you can't do it. PS doesn't save them automatically that way. You should always back up the ones you record yourself for that reason.

And actions should be ATN files? I'm not sure what a PSP file is?

Like so:

What do you mean it doesn't recognize it? Are you trying to open the file? Don't do that. You can go the settings and say "load new action" or "load brushes".

Ah, the Express doesn't calibrate multiple screens in a single set up. It can only do one per computer. I also don't understand why your laptop screen is now blank when you have it stretched? Do you just mean all the icons are on one screen and you have to drag windows over to the laptop?

You can save your actions, brushes, textures etc outside of PS and then just reload those into your new version. But you have to do so from within the old version first.

What about your test prints? Did they print ok? Or are the weird splotches on the prints too?