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12/14/2006 03:33:04 PM · #1 |
Did anyone else experience this before? I was at a wedding and have really good pics of it. I went to Wal-Mart to get some prints to give to the "wedders" and all the faces look white and pasty. On my screen and out of my little photo printer they looked awesome... Could it be because they don't like my color space (sRGB at the time) or that they just have crappy printing machines? I heard of quite a few photographers that use Wal-Mart because it is fast and cheap.
So my question is... Is it me or Wal-Mart's fault the pictures came out like crap? If it is me, how can I make this better?
Thanks in advance for the responses! (I have a feeling that  Gordon will respond to this)
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12/14/2006 03:38:23 PM · #2 |
wanna post an example of the pic... so when can diagnose if it was you or them?
Generally,I've had good results from them, but thier printers may have been out of whack...
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12/14/2006 03:41:20 PM · #3 |
The printers at Walmart.... and most other places can become out of color balance if they are not paying attention ... Just have the reprint them.
I usually avoid Walmart because of the employees mostly but I do often use Sam's Club where they seems to take a bit better care of the machne and watch what's going on..... er coming out of it! |
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12/14/2006 03:41:29 PM · #4 |
I will tonight when I get home. Thanks!
Message edited by author 2006-12-14 16:09:00.
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12/14/2006 03:46:37 PM · #5 |
| I never print at wal-mart, well ever since they lost all my photos. |
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12/14/2006 04:04:25 PM · #6 |
Funny story about my Walmart experience. I did some portraits of Alanna (in my port) and i needed some prints fairly fast so I figured I would try Walmart and if they did a bad job it was short money and lesson learned. I uploaded the pictures, went to pick them up 2 hours later and was told I couldn't pick them up without a copyright release from the original photographer! I said "Well, I am the original photographer". They said they needed to see a business card or something to prove I was. I headed back out to the car to get a business card, returned to the counter and the lady had me sign a copyright release. All the while I am thinking this better be worth it. As she handed me the package she says "you do really nice work". I got to the car, opened the package and WOW! Dead on!
Have I used them since? Yes. Will I admit it to a paying client? No!
I did nothing special on my end. Just a little color balance, sRGB profile and uploaded them.
I would talk to them and have them reprinted.
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12/14/2006 04:11:55 PM · #7 |
I usually go to walmart, the color is perfect and if they mess up u dont have to pay for it and they reprint it.. (I always select the "Do not Enhance" button)
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12/14/2006 04:14:43 PM · #8 |
Maybe I should go back and show them a proof from my printer and show it to them against their own prints...
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12/14/2006 04:33:14 PM · #9 |
I use Walmart sometimes.I upload the pictures and then go pick them up an hour later, makes life easier for me as long as I don't have to many different pictures at one time.
Last time I went they argued with me for 15 minutes as to whether I really took the picture or not and gave me this speech about how if I'm lying I'm liable for a $150,000 fine. They kept saying they wanted to see the original, I told them it was taken with a digital camera but I could bring in a CD or whatever they want. That wasn't good enough though, they needed to see the "original" (I had half a mind to bring my model in). Finally she gave me the release to sign and again warned me of the ominous fine I will have to pay if I'm making it up. When I got home I called the manager and was assured I won't be hassled again but good grief! What a headache.
All over 6 prints of this picture:
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12/14/2006 04:39:56 PM · #10 |
I have gotten school portraits printed at Walmart and was not very satisfied. I ordered one batch and then needed more later so I ordered more. The two different orders were totally different color balance. The first ones were dark and lacking any red and yellow tones whereas the 2nd batch was good.
Was this just a one time thing or are there printers no good? |
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12/14/2006 04:40:33 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Megatherian:
I use Walmart sometimes.I upload the pictures and then go pick them up an hour later, makes life easier for me as long as I don't have to many different pictures at one time.
Last time I went they argued with me for 15 minutes as to whether I really took the picture or not and gave me this speech about how if I'm lying I'm liable for a $150,000 fine. They kept saying they wanted to see the original, I told them it was taken with a digital camera but I could bring in a CD or whatever they want. That wasn't good enough though, they needed to see the "original" (I had half a mind to bring my model in). Finally she gave me the release to sign and again warned me of the ominous fine I will have to pay if I'm making it up. When I got home I called the manager and was assured I won't be hassled again but good grief! What a headache.
All over 6 prints of this picture:
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If you bring them a business card that shows your name and "photographer" they stop giving you greif about copyright. I ran into that the few times I've used them.
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12/14/2006 04:49:13 PM · #12 |
I use Walmart a lot (and there are earlier threads about my hassles with said company) for a couple of reasons -- they are one of two local places where I can get prints (within an hour's drive), the second place sucks, and I'm on dialup so uploading the files for 500 4x6s is not practical.
At first, several times, I literally argued with the people behind the counter. If I could show them a memorystick or card (any memory stick or card) they were satisfied. Then, I started taking in a "release of liability" letter on my "letterhead." At one point I even wrote myself permission to print my prints. (That one had them scratching their head).
Now, they know me, and I still have a release with me when I go, but it is virtually hassle free.
The upside is that this fall I printed a lot of pictures of one of the local little league teams. So many, that the lab came to know me as the "Bethel Photographer." If anyone tries to copy my pictures, they are going to have a heck of a time doing it.
I've had excellent results with the quality thus far (only one or two small mishaps).
One thing that slows them down a little, is when they were giving me "We are just trying to protect you, the photographer, etc. etc. etc." I pointed out that this policy (WalMart's) is so flawed (and showed them some obvious holes) that it is not to protect me, it is to protect Walmart and only Walmart, but thank you anyway.
Message edited by author 2006-12-14 16:49:52. |
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12/14/2006 05:17:29 PM · #13 |
I almost always put a border and title on my prints, so my name and the copyright notice are right there on the print : )
Also, at Costco (where I get most of my prints), you can add custom text to the "backprinting" -- usually the date and order number are printed on the back of the prints -- so I put a copyright notice there as well.
Costco actually caters to professionals, with links to their printer profiles and everything, though they don't offer a storefront -- it's just for making your own prints. Fast, cheap (8x10 = $1.49) and consistent quality. |
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12/14/2006 05:34:46 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by karmat:
I use Walmart a lot (and there are earlier threads about my hassles with said company) for a couple of reasons -- they are one of two local places where I can get prints (within an hour's drive), the second place sucks, and I'm on dialup so uploading the files for 500 4x6s is not practical.
At first, several times, I literally argued with the people behind the counter. If I could show them a memorystick or card (any memory stick or card) they were satisfied. Then, I started taking in a "release of liability" letter on my "letterhead." At one point I even wrote myself permission to print my prints. (That one had them scratching their head).
Now, they know me, and I still have a release with me when I go, but it is virtually hassle free.
The upside is that this fall I printed a lot of pictures of one of the local little league teams. So many, that the lab came to know me as the "Bethel Photographer." If anyone tries to copy my pictures, they are going to have a heck of a time doing it.
I've had excellent results with the quality thus far (only one or two small mishaps).
One thing that slows them down a little, is when they were giving me "We are just trying to protect you, the photographer, etc. etc. etc." I pointed out that this policy (WalMart's) is so flawed (and showed them some obvious holes) that it is not to protect me, it is to protect Walmart and only Walmart, but thank you anyway. |
Funny part is that I am pretty sure they are not supposed to be even looking at the photos. According to my wife that worked at a photo printing place for a while, they were only supposed to report something if they happened to glance at the images, but they were told that the images were private and therefore none of their business. She called the police once because there were a batch of photos with burning crosses, and the police game to investigate. The police started to take them when the sargent said.."woa, we can't take that it is private property, we need a warrent or permision from the owner for those". I think if Wal-Mart tries to "enforce the law" they are actually breaking it... First of all they are not the photo police, and second of all they don't have any rights to keep any photo once it has been printed regardeless of who the real owner is.
That would be like the Wal-Mart quick lube keeping somebodies car because they looked homeless, and the car was too nice for them, so they want proof of ownership before they release it from the drive bay. I am pretty sure they shouldn't be doing that. |
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12/15/2006 10:49:16 AM · #15 |
You guys UPLOAD to Wal-Mart? Each one of my pics is somewhere around 10Mb and up... It would suck to upload that... What size (dpi & mb) do you guys suggest uploading for 4x6's and 8x10's?
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12/15/2006 10:56:15 AM · #16 |
I just went to walmart this morning and had a couple of 8x10's printed. They asked me for a release too. I was kind of expecting this. Which is why i took along a generic release that someone here at DPC posted a few months back. Signed and dated by me. lol No problems. Pictures look good too.
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12/15/2006 11:02:08 AM · #17 |
Does anyone here have an example of a release form that they would let me use?
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12/15/2006 11:06:28 AM · #18 |
I used This One today at the local Walmart with no questions asked.
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12/15/2006 11:11:07 AM · #19 |
| You can go to the counter and ask for one. You'll just need to provide a letterhead or business card.... |
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12/15/2006 11:53:38 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I almost always put a border and title on my prints, so my name and the copyright notice are right there on the print. |
I did this recently for an image, but I'm not happy with the result. Do you have some examples of how you do yours?
I did mine in FotoFusion which is really nice for this, but it's a PITA to have to do one image at a time (unless you shell out $300 or something for the Studio License). I just need to work out my dimensions and fonts and colors and such. |
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12/15/2006 12:09:21 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I almost always put a border and title on my prints, so my name and the copyright notice are right there on the print : )
Also, at Costco (where I get most of my prints), you can add custom text to the "backprinting" -- usually the date and order number are printed on the back of the prints -- so I put a copyright notice there as well.
Costco actually caters to professionals, with links to their printer profiles and everything, though they don't offer a storefront -- it's just for making your own prints. Fast, cheap (8x10 = $1.49) and consistent quality. |
I second that. Costco printing rocks! You can now upload on their web site and pick up at the store later the same day.
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12/15/2006 01:52:01 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by _eug:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I almost always put a border and title on my prints, so my name and the copyright notice are right there on the print. |
I did this recently for an image, but I'm not happy with the result. Do you have some examples of how you do yours? |
Sure, almost anything in my DPC Prints gallery ... : )
Here are some examples -- compare the borderless challenge entries with the bordered print versions:
[url=//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=1399]
[url=//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=134785]
[url=//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=30481]
[url=//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=30476]
[url=//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=88938]
Basically, I crop my photo the way I want, expand the canvas to the next-largest standard print size, and add the text with Photoshop's text tool; then save a composite copy for printing.
I try to position the type far enough from the image that it is possible to cover the type with a mat board, while leaving some of the printed border still showing, if desired.
I also don't believe in wasting space. When Costco prints an 8x10, they still put it on an 8x12 piece of paper. I add the extra canvas in a contrasting color (to make it easy to trim later) and put some "wallet-size" copies of the print in the extra space.
Similarly, if you need to make a panoramic print, an easy way is to put two copies on a standard-size print. |
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12/15/2006 02:04:53 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by _eug:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I almost always put a border and title on my prints, so my name and the copyright notice are right there on the print. |
I did this recently for an image, but I'm not happy with the result. Do you have some examples of how you do yours? |
Sure, almost anything in my DPC Prints gallery ... : ) |
What fonts did you use on 'Quiet Moorage' and 'Building Bridges'?
Damn looking through those made me realize that I miss being in the Bay Area. So many things to photograph, but I've only gotten 'photographic' since moving from SF to Philadelphia. Oh to walk through Berkely on a Saturday morning again. |
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12/15/2006 02:23:01 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by candlerain:
You guys UPLOAD to Wal-Mart? Each one of my pics is somewhere around 10Mb and up... It would suck to upload that... What size (dpi & mb) do you guys suggest uploading for 4x6's and 8x10's? |
2400 x 3000 is 300 DPI for an 8x10. Anything larger than that and you're really just wasting upload time. I've got decent 8x10's that were printed from my Coolpix 950 at 150 DPI (1200 x 1600 2MP).
For 4x6's 1200 x 1600 is good.
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12/15/2006 02:31:53 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by _eug:
What fonts did you use on 'Quiet Moorage' and 'Building Bridges'?
Damn looking through those made me realize that I miss being in the Bay Area. |
Hahaha ... both of those photos were taken in Washington : )
That font is Trebuchet MS -- I think it comes pre-installed with Windows, and should be widely available. |
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