{"id":2528,"date":"2012-04-27T15:39:06","date_gmt":"2012-04-27T19:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/?p=2528"},"modified":"2012-04-27T15:39:06","modified_gmt":"2012-04-27T19:39:06","slug":"corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/corey-talks\/corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer","title":{"rendered":"Corey Talks | Print Comparisons (Consumer)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I posted the other day my results from my print off from professional photography labs<\/a>, today I’m going to blog about the results of the same test from consumer labs.<\/p>\n

I polled my friends on Facebook to find out where they most often order from and ordered prints from all of those companies. \u00a0I ordered 15 different prints – landscapes, portraits, engagement and a wedding. \u00a0I used images that were in a wide variety of lighting conditions and were edited differently (black and white as well as color). \u00a0I then ordered the same set of images from every lab that was feasible for me. \u00a0Note that near me, we do not have a Costco whom I hear has really excellent results with consumer printing.<\/p>\n

Here’s my results. \u00a0They may surprise you! \u00a0NONE of these images were color corrected by the labs I ordered from but a few I used the “fast” upload since the software shoved me into it. \u00a0I wanted to order these like a client would NOT how I would so if I was shoved into the faster upload I didn’t chose full.<\/p>\n

I think that when comparing these results to the professional lab results it’s really easy to see why prints cost more when ordered through a professional lab. \u00a0Simply put, the extra money is well spent for preserving priceless memories. \u00a015\u00a2 prints are fine for that softball game but when you invest in a photography session with a professional you really should invest in the best way to preserve those moments captured. \u00a0I guarantee you that these prints from the consumer labs won’t last as long or stay as true to the original image as the professional labs. \u00a0I may do a wear test to see what happens down the line for kicks…<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In depth reviews of each printer\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Here\u2019s some insight into the lingo. \u00a0Exposure = the light\/dark of the image. \u00a0Color = matching the colors as are true to my original image. \u00a0This includes color casts (more of one color vs another) as well as saturation (how bright a color is). \u00a0Shadows = amount of detail in the darker parts of the picture. \u00a0If they are clipped, this means that you lose detail in the darker parts of the images which is often dark eyes and hair. \u00a0Cropping = are the images cut how they were uploaded, is the whole image there or are parts missing. \u00a0Sharpness = how in focus the picture is vs. how it was originally.<\/p>\n

CVS<\/span><\/strong>
\nCost: \u00a019\u00a2 prints
\nPaper: \u00a0Kodak e-surface paper
\nOrdering: \u00a0Ordered online with in store pick up in one hour. \u00a0Software forced me into “fast” upload.
\nResults:
\n\u2022 \u00a0Exposure: Pretty close to being spot on.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Color: \u00a0Slight yellow\/magenta cast, a bit\u00a0over saturated.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Shadows: No clipping.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Cropping: \u00a0Crop is correct.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Sharpness: \u00a0Images are as sharp as the original file.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Overall feeling: \u00a0The ordering system forced me into a fast upload which promises that there is no difference in most images. \u00a0The image quality is TERRIBLE and I am hoping this is due in part to the fast upload. \u00a0The images are VERY grainy and in the highlights of the image, the colors are “blocked” much like in 8 bit video games. \u00a0It’s truly awful. \u00a0The paper is also quite awful, it sticks to itself and every time I try to flip through the images they stick, which is quite frustrating. \u00a0The colors are good but the rest of it was terrible!<\/p>\n

Kodak Gallery<\/span><\/strong>
\nCost: \u00a015\u00a2 prints
\nPaper: \u00a0Kodak e-surface\u00a0paper
\nOrdering: \u00a0Ordered online. \u00a0Delivery took the longest of all the labs with 1 week turnaround.
\nResults:
\n\u2022 \u00a0Exposure: Pretty close to being spot on.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Color: \u00a0Slight magenta cast.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Shadows: No clipping.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Cropping: \u00a0Crop was a bit tighter than on original file.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Sharpness: \u00a0Image is a slight bit softer than original file.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Overall feeling: \u00a0Before MPix came out, I was a champion of Kodak Gallery as I really believed in their lab. \u00a0Out of all of the labs, I really think I did OK as this was by far my favorite of all the consumer labs BUT the delivery time is terrible. \u00a0I also think the paper is thin and I don’t like the feeling of it (they do offer a pro paper option for 35\u00a2 a print). \u00a0So it’s really a toss up between Kodak and MPix as the true winner but both are decent labs for the price.<\/p>\n

MPix<\/span><\/strong>
\nCost: \u00a029\u00a2 prints
\nPaper: \u00a0Kodak e-surface\u00a0paper
\nOrdering: \u00a0Ordered online. Delivered in 3 days.
\nResults:
\n\u2022 \u00a0Exposure: Spot on.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Color: \u00a0VERY slight red\/yellow cast making image a hint warmer. A bit over saturated.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Shadows: Very slight clipping.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Cropping: \u00a0Crop is correct.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Sharpness: \u00a0Images are as sharp as the original file.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Overall feeling: \u00a0I was very impressed with MPix but I was expecting to be. \u00a0This is whom I tell my clients to order through if they are not going to use me, I’m glad that I was not disappointed.<\/p>\n

Shutterfly<\/span><\/strong>
\nCost: \u00a09\u00a2 prints
\nPaper: Fuji e-surface\u00a0paper
\nOrdering: \u00a0Ordered online. \u00a0Delivered in 3 days.
\nResults:
\n\u2022 \u00a0Exposure: Slightly overexposed.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Color: \u00a0Prominent yellow\/green cast.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Shadows: Slight clipping.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Cropping: \u00a0Crop is correct.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Sharpness: \u00a0Images are very soft.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Overall feeling: \u00a0When I opened up this envelope I actually let out a yipe. \u00a0These are absolutely, positively TERRIBLE. \u00a0These images definitely fit the old adage, “you get what you pay for.” \u00a0Holy crap these are\u00a0atrocious. \u00a0The color is so bad it makes the baby look sick. \u00a0The images are so soft they appear to be out of focus. \u00a0BAD.<\/p>\n

Snapfish<\/span><\/strong>
\nCost: \u00a015\u00a2 prints
\nPaper: Fuji e-surface\u00a0paper
\nOrdering: \u00a0Ordered online. \u00a0Delivered in 3 days.
\nResults:
\n\u2022 \u00a0Exposure: Pretty close to being spot on.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Color: \u00a0Blue\/green color cast.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Shadows: Slight clipping.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Cropping: \u00a0Crop is correct.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Sharpness: \u00a0Images are as sharp as the original file.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Overall feeling: \u00a0The images look okay but if I’m going to have a color cast, I much prefer to have a slightly warm cast vs. a cool cast because cool casts (blues\/greens) makes skin look sallow and people look sick. \u00a0A warm cast (when not excessive) makes for a glow which is definitely preferable to sick! \u00a0The images would be OK for landscapes but definitely not ideal for portraits.<\/p>\n

Walgreens<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

Cost: \u00a019\u00a2 prints
\nPaper: \u00a0Fuji glossy paper
\nOrdering: \u00a0Ordered online with in store pick up in one hour. \u00a0Used full resolution upload. \u00a0Glossy is the only paper option for in store pick up.
\nResults:
\n\u2022 \u00a0Exposure: Underexposed.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Color: \u00a0Red and a slight yellow cast. \u00a0A bit over saturated compared to the original.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Shadows: Clipped.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Cropping: Crop is correct.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Sharpness: \u00a0Images are as sharp as the original file, possibly a tinge more sharp.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Overall feeling:\u00a0\u00a0This was the first set of pictures I picked up and I immediately saw they were much darker than my originals. \u00a0The color cast isn’t terrible but makes an impression. \u00a0I also dislike glossy paper (fingerprints!) so I was bummed I had no option but to get glossy in the store.<\/p>\n

Wal Mart<\/span><\/strong>
\nCost: \u00a015\u00a2 prints
\nPaper: \u00a0Fuji matte paper
\nOrdering: \u00a0Ordered online with in store pick up in one hour. \u00a0Used full resolution upload.
\nResults: \u00a0Shadows have no detail and images are over saturated compared to original print. \u00a0White lines along bottom of prints with an odd notch. \u00a0Very very slight red cast, barely\u00a0noticeable.
\nResults:
\n\u2022 \u00a0Exposure: \u00a0Slightly underexposed.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Color: \u00a0Red cast, over saturated.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Shadows: \u00a0Clipped.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Cropping: \u00a0Slightly miscut image, took a bit off o the top and the bottom of each image has white lines.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Sharpness: \u00a0Images are as sharp as the original file.
\n\u2022 \u00a0Overall feeling: \u00a0The redness of the image is noticeable but other than that the images are OK.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I posted the other day my results from my print off from professional photography labs, today I’m going to blog about the results of the same test from consumer labs. I polled my friends on Facebook to find out where they most often order from and ordered prints from all of those companies. \u00a0I ordered […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[1782,1314,1315,1313],"class_list":["post-2528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-corey-talks","tag-corey-talks","tag-photo-lab-comparisons","tag-picture-comparisons","tag-print-comparisons"],"yoast_head":"\nCorey Talks | Print Comparisons (Consumer) - Corey Ann Photography<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/corey-talks\/corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Corey Ann\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/corey-talks\/corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/corey-talks\/corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Corey Ann\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/49fc034441344f071869b4a25e9c744e\"},\"headline\":\"Corey Talks | Print Comparisons (Consumer)\",\"datePublished\":\"2012-04-27T19:39:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2012-04-27T19:39:06+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/corey-talks\/corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer\"},\"wordCount\":1259,\"commentCount\":26,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"Corey Talks\",\"photo lab comparisons\",\"picture comparisons\",\"print comparisons\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Corey Talks\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/corey-talks\/corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/corey-talks\/corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/coreyann.com\/blog\/corey-talks\/corey-talks-print-comparisons-consumer\",\"name\":\"Corey Talks | Print Comparisons (Consumer) - 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