I should say I'm utterly confused, colour wise, at the moment.
I've just replaced my venerable Epson Stylus Photo 1270 printer (which I've had for seven or eight years, I think) with an Epson Stylus Photo 1400. Yes, that's right, I chickened out of getting a pigment ink printer, and have stuck with dyes. I thought long and hard about going the pigment ink route so I'd feel comfortable about selling prints. But, I like the way dye prints look. Still, the claim is that Epson Claria ink prints will last 200 years if kept properly i.e. in a locked lead-lined steel box in a dark, humidity- and temperature-controlled room, preferably in Switzerland... (Joking!! The 200 year part is true, however).
To compound the confusion, my equally venerable Dell monitor has given up the struggle, so I've stolen my daughter's HP flat screen. I'm now in Colour Management limbo. If anyone has recommendations for colour managing the Epson 1400 with standard Epson papers, I'm more than happy to hear them.*
So, I think these two pictures look pretty damn good, but I can't be sure! The only thing I know is that the on-screen and printed versions are different...
* I've calibrated the screen (HP w1907v) with a ColorVision Spyder 2 Express ("produce stunning photos like the pros!"), and I'm mainly printing using the supplied ICM profile for Epson Premium Glossy paper, with Photoshop Elements controlling the colour management, as recommended by Epson. It's not great. I suspect I'd get better results giving control to the printer, and using the sliders to adjust the CMY settings. Anyone got a favourite combo?
7 comments:
Mike, for what it's worth - since no one else seems to be weighting in yet - I'm still running an Epson 2100 and use the printer color management, w/ the sliders. After some i.e. a lot of fiddling around, I've gotten prints to pretty much resemble on screen. Until I try to do flesh tones. Then all bets are off. Unless you print constantly, it seems the simplicity of using the printer controls are worth an attempt.
Oh yeah - I like the first pic a lot. Nicely framed.
Thanks, Kent -- I know they're unlikely to be remotely on the same page, but: what would your standard settings for, say, Epson Premium Glossy / Semigloss or Matte Heavyweight be?
Mike
Sir, they do look pretty damn good, fmay be so bold. Printers be hanged!
Thanks, Anonymous -- of course, it *might* just be that your monitor is as poorly calibrated, but in the exact same way, as mine... Hopefully not.
My Spyder 2 has promised me that I can now "produce stunning photos just like the pros", and I choose to believe them. Though professionals at what what it doesn't say.
Mike
Have to get back to you on this one, Mike. Not plugged into the printer at this point.
Mike, I have done the whole colour management thing with a Spyder 3 and profiles but have realised that if you are a bit colour blind then it's all for nought. My only hope is black and white.
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