Printed photos lose their "golden glow"
I’m guessing it’s the matte printing that took the golden light from my photos. I’m a bit afraid to bump it up with a filter in PS in the attempt to compensate in the next proof of my book. Would this help, or since it’s still a matte process, would it only muddy things up in the print?
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Beesong,
To learn “how to” by preparing files for Blurb self-publishing books as to how it looks alike in your computer screen, you want to see the following Acrobat Reader document (PDF) at this URL below:
http://www.bonsai-photography.com/blurb-color-management.pdf
Also, more on color profile, at this URL below:
http://blurberatiblog.com/index.php/2007/02/13/color-profile-for-blurb-books/
For your information, please try to conduct a search on your topic, because it has been discussed fairly often here at the forum.
Hope that helps, no?
Cheers, Brian
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Actually, I incorporated those tips and ICC in the book long before sending it to print and have been an avid reader of these forums all along.
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Beesong, Ok, I am not sure if I fully understand how you apply "filter" in Photoshop to reflect what you are looking at. Also, what version of Ps are you working with? I have Ps CS3 Extended on my MacPro with system architecture version of OS X v. 10.4.10. I am assuming that you work with Windows, no? Glad to know that you are an avid reader here at the forums. I am an avid reader and that I cannot imagine what’s life is like without reading, and perhaps exceptional, excellent coffee. Silly of me to mention this, but thought I want to mention it away anyway. LOL Anyway, at least I tried to help you with some possible remedies or solutions. Perhaps other participants or someone from Blurb could help you better than what I have offered my help.
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Hello beesong; I just had a book printed with a number of sunset images included and that "golden glow" was retained in the printing; so I don’t think that’s necessarily the source of the problem… Certainly the semi-matte paper takes some punch away as against a glossy paper; but… ...to add to Brian’s prior post, have you colour-calibrated your screen; or done a local test print to ensure that what you’re seeing on screen is indeed what the printer will see? If you have, and you’re not happy with the printed results from Blurb, then I would suggest you file a report, and see what they say… I would certainly be wary of adding any colour filters in PS as a method of "compensating"! Good luck; Cheers; Lee
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Thank you both for your help. (And I agree with you about the coffee, Brian!) What I meant by a filter in PS was one of the Nik 2.0 adjustment filters/plug-ins. But I agree that it is a worrisome thing to try in this situation. I keep my monitor calibrated automatically every few minutes with a HueyPro. Test prints look fine. I’m going to bump the contrast just a bit more on the Blurb files and run another proof book. Mostly I’m quite pleased with the book, and this is a relatively-minor issue, and I’ll be tweaking it considerably less than I feared I would need to after reading some of the results people received. Thanks again.
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Beesong,
I see where you are driving at. I think it is natural for people to be concerned. It is good to “know” and “understand” the possible factors or potential problem, so that it can be fixed whatever that arise.
If you decide to upload and proceed to order your published book from your BookSmart app, perhaps that you want to order “one” book as a physical proof book. So that you can examine it very closely under the scope of you, perhaps take a hard look under loupe if you have one. I would think it is reasonable approach to order one proof book before go ahead ordering large volume of books if that is the case for you. I think it is just for yourself, I guess. Maybe I am wrong.
Yup, nice to have some coffee and carrying some interesting conversation with your friends – about your book! Isn’t that something? :)
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Lee,
Thanks for the suggestion about calibration device. I realize that I have failed to mention it earlier. Yes, it is very useful and “important” tool. That is to say, it is a “must” to own one.
For those who are not familiar with calibration device like HueyPro or similar ones, it is not a “quick fix” to address color management problem. It is just that it helps to get the monitor’s color management looks right, so it works, at least, pretty darn close to perfection of color management. However, it varies from computer to computer, depends on when, and how often calibration device been updated the last time (frequent is the best).
Additionally, having image editing app like Photoshop CS3 is very, very useful tool. It is a must to have one. It is matter of technique involved. Not only that, but it also depends on the digital photos under parameters of different aperture, white balance and shutter… all that sort of tidbits involved in picture itself.
I could go on other factors involved. But let’s keep it simple. My bad when I tend to babble or go off the beam. But I would think that this be of an interest and benefit to other participants who are not familiar with color management and what’s not and what to look for, and finally what to expect of photos… so on.
Time for me to go to Starbucks and get some more espresso whole beans coffee.
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Brian- Yep, I just uploaded my second proof version. It will be fascinating to compare it to #1 after it arrives. Then I will be in better shape to place my bulk order. If you’re interested in seeing the preview of #2, search for "Yellowstone Visions." The HueyPro is fabulous—much, much better than the Colorvision that I had before I started doing Blurb.
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PS, Brian: The text info about the photos of Grand Prismatic explaining the incredible natural colors unfortunately doesn’t appear in the preview, as I used the cover flaps for that info.
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Hey beesong – I just checked out your book preview in the bookstore. Those photos are amazing! Now I want to go to Yellowstone. :)
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Jack— Thank you for your very kind words! They are deeply appreciated.
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