Are your prints too dark? Simple fixes and tips for photo editing and printing

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Are your prints too dark? Simple fixes and tips for photo editing and printing

Рет қаралды 11,831

Күн бұрын

Why do prints come out too dark. Is it your printer or have you just got your screen set too bright. From screen adjustment to how your screen is set up when editing. Getting an art/photo print which looks right.
The free printer test image is at
www.northlight...
00:00 Start
00:16 Why are prints too dark?
01:02 Monitor calibration and profiling
01:58 Will a cheaper model work for you?
02:30 Settings?
03:10 Other ways which help
03:22 What a test image tells you
04:40 Prints still dark
05:02 Edit/viewing setup - the background
08:00 Changing papers
08:42 The simple levels adjustment
09:39 Allowing for different print lighting
The video looking at editing the Orwell print is at • Making a large B&W pri... From photo to print. How I edited a 100MP image, but more importantly why I edited it the way I did. Why the journey is easier with a destination. Why the final print was on a different paper.
Calibrite Display Plus HL - the basics of calibrating and profiling your screen • Calibrite Display Plus...
One of my many detailed monitor calibrator reviews
www.northlight...
For a full categorised index of all my videos, see:
www.northlight...
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US Amazon photo/print gear: amzn.to/3l9vJC6
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Пікірлер: 84

@Rabenov-wq8qy2qg5t 21 күн бұрын

I printed your test images, and you were absolutely right, it was my monitor! I couldn't believe it. Sometimes the problem sits in front of the computer 😊

@KeithCooper 20 күн бұрын

Excellent - that's what it's there for!

@JEHendrix Ай бұрын

I appreciate this, as well as your other videos. After years of operating a small printing business, I have arrived at this method for getting print brightness right. Of course my monitor (Benq 321C) is profiled and I personally profile each of my printers for each type of paper I use. I have 5000K track lighting all around my small studio and over my work table. Printed colors match the monitor well, but for brightness I use a cheat sheet with a monitor brightness setting for each type of paper I use. When editing for a particular paper, I rotate the hockey puck to the brightness for that paper. Then I print with confidence that when I lay the print on my work table, it will match the monitor. This saves unnecessary proof printing.

@JEHendrix Ай бұрын

Making the cheat sheet is dead simple, I simply adjust the monitor brightness to match prints on various media lying on my work table. Now I’ll adjust my settings using your reference images.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks - Yes, a good thorough approach

@JohnPurcell Ай бұрын

I wish more people got to see your talks about this. All your points are really important and generally easy/cheap... which is not the norm on most forums.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks - I appreciate that

@c.augustin 5 күн бұрын

A simple way of adjusting screen brightness is to have a piece of copy paper on your desk in your normal, undimmed lighting and adjusting the monitor brightness so that a white "page" on screen has nearly the same brightness. It might not be the "perfect" brightness, but it gives a much better result (and is much less stressful for the eyes) than using the usual screen brightness of the monitor (which is most likely much too bright). Same applies to smartphones and tablets - they are normally much too bright!

@KeithCooper 5 күн бұрын

Yes - I've used a camera for this. Matching exposures gets it quite close

@c.augustin 5 күн бұрын

@@KeithCooper Never thought of that! I would use a handheld light meter instead, but many people won't have one … ;-)

@wardlerigg Ай бұрын

Wonderfully informative and de-mystifying as ever. Your channel is a haven for the confused would-be printers among us. Thank you.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@susanmclauchlan9358 Ай бұрын

Thank you Keith

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Glad it's of interest.

@robertleeimages Ай бұрын

Liked your collaboration with Scott, hope you can get your heads together again for another one sometime

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks - I'll have to have have a chat with him and see what we can come up with

@ianyorke2617 Ай бұрын

Agree about the scourge of Dark Mode and low contrast UI's. 😀 Interestingly, I always edit with a white border because if I don't I find I lose my "white" reference, ie what is actually white rather than "relatively white" compared to the rest of the image.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks Yes - a good point. Having a stable white point is important.

@beatrizparejo6398 29 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for your quick answer! ❤

@KeithCooper 29 күн бұрын

Glad to be of help...

@broomwagon448 Ай бұрын

Thanks Keith, just to chime in with another tip - I always find lowering the brightness of my computer screen helps with this. An overly bright, backlit screen always seems to ‘flatter’ an image somewhat. Worth a try.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Yes, that's my main suggestion whether people are using a calibrator or 'by eye'

@johnguild8850 Ай бұрын

Keith, your are a gift from God, thanks

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Most kind ;-)

@Pat-1000 Ай бұрын

Thank you Keith , learning something new from every upload you share , very appreciated as a newbie to printing but following your advice i know i will get there , cheers enjoy the day and keep well Sir.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@juergenbaumann8817 Ай бұрын

Thanks Keith, particularly liked the hint with background color. This might be covered already elsewhere, but in addition of calibration, it helps me to work with the soft proof function, especially for balancing light and dark sections. Even if there is no profile that matches my printer and paper combination by 100%, it can get you closer to the desired final result more conveniently. Having the correct ICC profile of course is much more desirable :)

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Yes, although I'm always minded to mention that soft proofing is [IMHO] a tool for occasional never regular use... ;-)

@garrygeorge2811 Ай бұрын

Thanks: simple, clear and quick ;-)

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@lynsmith1096 Ай бұрын

Some more good tips Keith.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks

@Jenny_Digital Ай бұрын

Thanks Kieth, that’s amazing advice.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@barriewatts127 Ай бұрын

I used to print through Photoshop with my Canon printer and struggled to get a decent print. Then I discovered Mirage Pro, now I get virtually perfect prints every time. The monitor is calibrated every month. Canon Print Pro is also pretty good too.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Yes, for some, Mirage represents good value. I'll likely be looking at it once I next get a good new printer to test

@allenbuyck7957 Ай бұрын

What is Mirage Pro? I use canon Print Pro and it works well, but never heard of Mirage Pro

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

@@allenbuyck7957 Paid for print software. I last reviewed it 8-9 years ago. www.northlight-images.co.uk/mirage-print-software/ Works very well, features fit the needs of some who print a lot, but at a price. I'll probably see about a look at it again when I next have a good printer here to test

@allenbuyck7957 Ай бұрын

@@KeithCooper thank you . Great videos !!!

@johncameron6853 Ай бұрын

Thank you Keith, a cracking and informative vid as usual. 👍😎

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@c64club Ай бұрын

Some quick and dirty but very usable trick. "Darkroom style test strip" (like darkroom wedges for multigrade papers). Print some table of 30 darkest and 20 lightest levels - all numbered. 0,1-20, then each two. Next I evaluate darkest distinguishable and lightest distinguishable. Then I compress image's tonal range in between these two values. Sometimes linearly, sometimes by some curve adjusted to taste. But the test image for tonality MUST contain tonal values of each field. Otherwise it's guesstimgtion.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

This is also what my B&W test image is for ;-)

@c64club Ай бұрын

@@KeithCooper Of course. I use it in many works, I also have ngatives of it printed on foil, for gum and cyanotype. It become an "industry standard" recommended by many people. But for first (numbered) estimation I use Farbenwerk's tonal range test which takes ~5*15cm and gives exact numerical values. Then I use your test to adjust the rest of issues.

@cheemy1000 Ай бұрын

Great video, thanks

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks

@jerjaws Ай бұрын

I noticed if I print on luster paper vs matte paper. The luster paper. Image is darker. Matte paper it’s spot on.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Due to the wider tonal range of the lustre paper [the blacks are blacker] depending on setup, slight lightening of images meant for the lustre may be beneficial

@kbstabs5982 Ай бұрын

Very useful. Thanks, Keith!

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks

@hansfijlstra5932 Ай бұрын

Interesting video. I believe and have experienced that when you buy a professional monitor (EIZO for example) you dont’ need to calibrate it. The much more important question is under what lighting conditions the print is viewed.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Thanks 'Pro' monitors do need calibration and profiling like any other for ongoing use. Some include their own calibration hardware, but it's not true that you can buy one and expect the 'factory' calibration to last. OK perhaps for some personal use, but not for high end commercial uses.

@johannesfruhstorfer7914 Ай бұрын

@@KeithCooper would you personally rely on the built in calibration hardware of e.g. an EIZO CG series? I bought one to avoid the hassle of dealing with this side of the process ;-). And thank you for your very instructive videos.

Ай бұрын

Hi Keith, I am happy I stumbled upon your channel. Thank you for sharing your experience. I have a quick question; calibrating your monitor for printing you set 100 cd/m² if I didn’t get you wrong, what if the pictures will never be printed and only end up at web pages or will only be watched on monitors like mobile devices or various LCD monitors? Still the correct setting should be 100 cd/m²? The default is 120 cd/m² for many... Thanks in advance.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

I use 100 partly because my general office lighting is not bright and I do a fair bit of print. 120 is fine for general photo use. My monitor has a 'bright sRGB' setting which I sometimes use to get a feel for web/phone use, but of course, such a huge change completely throws your visual adaption for a bit [time to make a coffee] The two monitors in my videos are deliberately set to match the video lighting [~4000K], so they look reasonable in the videos - they are useless for actual work ;-)

Ай бұрын

Thank you @@KeithCooper I will keep following your channel for sure and all my B&H orders will go through your affiliate link from now on. Greetings from New York City.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Much appreciated!

@beatrizparejo6398 29 күн бұрын

Hi Keith! Thanks for this and all your videos. I really appreciate them. I am having trouble making Prints of my paintings. Whether they are scanned or photographed. I have a canon IPG pro 300 and I work the files in Photoshop, in the Adobe RGB working space and the Adobe RGB 1998 colour profile, if I am not mistaken. I load the ICC profiles of the Fine art papers...but I can't get them to come out right. My doubt is, is the problem the monitor? It's a Benq PD2705U monitor with pantone certificate but, it doesn't have RGB colour mode, only sRGB and others for video, etc. Should I change the file to sRGB so that what I see on the screen looks more like what the printer does? Or is it not necessary and it would be worse? Does the printer use RGB or sRGB? I hope I have explained myself well. Best regards and thank you very much!

@KeithCooper 29 күн бұрын

Art repro is technically difficult. You need your monitor calibrated, and to set it to the right brightness. 'Pantone certification' is largely marketing copy ;-) The sRGB stuff is a distraction - I worked for years with an sRGB monitor You also need correct icc profiles for printer/paper combination and print with them - the way to test this is with a known test image - never one of your own. See my PRO-300 review [the main written one] for info about printing etc www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-pro-300-printer-review/ Remember - prints can never match your screen. What matters is them matching the artwork!

@RogerHyam Ай бұрын

Hi Keith. Thanks for all these videos they are useful for me. I'm getting back into inkjet printing and firing up the old Epson R3000 with Marrutt inks and papers. I'm really pleased with the way it performs and don't have an intention of changing it but have a philosophical question. Has inkjet printer quality plateaued with regard to use by an art photographer? We have been in the marginal gains area with digital cameras for about a decade now (if you aren't into sports or videography). Is the same true of the mid ground of inkjet printing? Perhaps you've already covered this.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

A few new developments in coatings, but sustainability will matter more - papers that can be recycled will become more common Nothing many will notice - good profiles, skill and inks are what really matter

@andrewcroft2570 Ай бұрын

Great video Keith, quick question, the surroundings you have on you're monitors, what are they for, please?

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Do you mean the monitor hoods? They improve contrast and reduce screen glare in some environments. These came with the monitors, but they are easy t make with matt black art board.

@andrewcroft2570 Ай бұрын

@@KeithCooper Thanks Keith

@garypriestley9288 Ай бұрын

Hi Keith I wondered I use a laptop and a monitor as my setup I was thinking of calibrating them but not quite sure which one to do both screens one after each other or just the laptop one I'm new printing and I only have what I would call a desktop printer and it's a old one at that at the moment just wanted to get the basics right before investing in better kit I would welcome your thoughts on this thank you

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Depends vastly on the quality of the screens - personally I prefer larger screens. Don't forget that even with expensive calibrators you can't make different screens look identical

@garypriestley9288 Ай бұрын

@@KeithCooper thank you Keith

@photoalexiou Ай бұрын

Hi..i own only EPSON printers..in the driver menu all printers have the option EPSON Standard(sRGB) and ADOBE RGB..I print to the default mode..but what is the difference between this two options? I can not find any informations and the EPSON manual do not say much..Can you explain in a future video this..thanks for precius info you always give to us...

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

It's if you are printing an image with such a profile - it's a setting I've ever found any use for

@66xtopher Ай бұрын

How would you suggest printing off the test print you supply without being affected by the monitor calibration or software? Print it directly from Say windows and using default paper profiles? ( I have calibrated monitor and custom Hahnemule paper profiles). Should the test print be compared with a test print from a professional print version?

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

The test image should be printed with exactly the same workflow as you would for any image you wanted to print. Monitor settings have nothing to do with it. If you print your photos from 'windows with default profiles', then do that. If you print using a particular bit of software, use that. Just use this image instead of one of your own. Read the details on the download page as to what to look for www.northlight-images.co.uk/printer-test-images/ There is no physical 'master print' to compare it with

@66xtopher Ай бұрын

@@KeithCooper thank you. I thought you said in your video the test print was to alleviate Workflow problems. My monitor was calibrated and the profile is always in use and I use Photoshop and I use a calibrated paper profile. I should use that then follow your guide.

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

Yes the test image removes variables. If you get a problem, it helps narrow down where it is. It takes the monitor and any image editing right out of the process - I have several related videos see: www.northlight-images.co.uk/keith-cooper-photography-videos-index/

@gary4739 Ай бұрын

Does the monitor hood have any effect on brightness?

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

It increases perceived contrast if used well. Actual brightness is the same for myself.

@thecinemafox5531 Ай бұрын

Hey Keith, just wanted to ask if an aps-c camera is okay for printing and commercial architecture work? I have a full frame but the lenses are so expensive and I’m not making anything from photography yet

@KeithCooper Ай бұрын

If course, it is - the problem for my from an architecture POV is getting wide enough lenses Look at some of the Laowa ultra-wide shift lenses for example - nothing wrong with fully manual ;-)

@thecinemafox5531 Ай бұрын

@@KeithCooper Thanks for the advice!