Gary:
Sorry to hear about your experience with the Color Place. After many
years of good service from them, I understand that it sometimes takes
familiarity with the photographer to do quality work. I try to give my
most specific instructions as to what I expect from the photo, not only
with a proof, but with written notes as well. True, it takes a bit more
time, but eventually, they will figure out what you are after and will
produce work that you expect.
I have recently been using the Fuji 4-layer print films to do the lazy
man's color correction in mixed lighting interiors. These images
eventually need to be turned into slides for the clients use, and an
image can be made directly from the negative, or through an
inter-negative (or digitally from a scan - but high res is costly).
After some tweaking, I have been able to get good results from a direct
negative transfer. This method is prone to blow-out in the highlights,
but with the proper care, this loss of detail can be mitigated. A
significant savings can be had from this method, and both the lab and I
have benefited from this exchange. As with most 35mm work, the client
wants to pay as little as possible, so working through the bugs of this
method certainly has paid out in the end.
I would say have patience with the lab your are working with, and if
anything is really important don't leave it until the last minute - you
are bound for failure! ;)
Bob
P.S.
If that shot was taken with your 100/2, I suspect it must have been the
lens. You can send it to me immediately for proper inspection! ;)
<snip>
Lots of complaints. I went to pick up the 11x14 full-frame (thus closer
to
10x14) print I ordered from a T400CN negative at the Colorplace main
plant
in Dallas today. They printed it cropped, 8x10, light, and if I were
using
graded paper I'd say 2 grades too soft, apparently on RC color paper. I
didn't have to pay for it, but I can't give it to the lady who it is for
(it
is truly awful, though the negative scans and looks fine), and I don't
have
time for a reprint. This from what used to to be the best pro lab in
the
Metroplex. And the last print they did for me was worse. What to do?
I'll
try a different lab in Fort Worth as soon as I can find time.
But, I don't see an anti-film conspiracy here. I presume the result
would
have been just as bad (and as incorrect) if printed from a digicam file.
Gary Edwards
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