FAQs Archive - Page 3 of 6 - Streets Imaging Services

Q: What settings should I use in Photoshop or Lightroom?

See images below for colour settings for sRGB and Adobe RGB 1998 in Photoshop and Lightroom… [fusion_images picture_size="fixed" hover_type="none" autoplay="no" columns="3" column_spacing="13" scroll_items="" show_nav="yes" mouse_scroll="no" border="yes" lightbox="yes" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][fusion_image image="https://www.streetsimaging.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Photoshop-colour-settings-adobe.jpg" image_id="13780" link="" linktarget="_self" alt="" /][fusion_image image="https://www.streetsimaging.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Photoshop-colour-settings.jpg" image_id="13779" link="" linktarget="_self" alt="" /][fusion_image image="https://www.streetsimaging.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/LightroomExportSettings.jpg" image_id="14586" link="" linktarget="_self" alt="" /][/fusion_images]

Q: What kind of monitor should I use?

How to Color Match Your ColorEdge Monitor and Photo Prints For optimum results, it is recommended to use a high quality LED or LCD monitor. (A monitor with ability to control individual colours will give better results). It is important to purchase a high quality screen that has individual colour controls for calibration and profiling (please take care when selecting the screen as some models do not have the ability to select custom RGB controls meaning that calibration using a calibration device can be difficult). We use Eizo LCD screens which can be calibrated and profiled to match our output closely. Laptop screens are not recommended for critical colour judgement because of the differences observed in the image at different viewing angles. It is important to set up your monitor correctly. Streets Imaging recommend that if you are doing professional digital work that you invest in a monitor calibration device and calibrate your monitor regularly, as often as every 6 months. If you are receiving most of your income from photography, consider a calibration device as one of your “tools of trade”. We recommend and stock the X-rite i1 Display Pro, which can be purchased through our online ordering software .

Q: What other viewing conditions affect colour?

PRINTS LOVE LIGHT! The colour and density of a print is determined by the colour and quality of light falling on it. Viewing prints in a poorly lit room will not demonstrate the true colour and quality of a print. Streets Imaging recommend viewing photographs with a standard colour viewing light source available at professional graphic arts suppliers or professional photographic retailers. At the very least Streets Imaging recommend viewing with a compact fluorescent natural white . Incandescent (tungsten) bulbs are too yellow for critical viewing and standard fluorescent tubes have a gap in the red end of the spectrum giving a characteristic green cast to objects lit by them. As simple exercise take mental note and compare a print in dimly lit room to outside in full sun, what do you think about the exposure in that print? In a well lit room hold your print against a colourful wall or object, how do you feel about your skin tones now? Walls, furniture even brightly coloured clothing can all impact the colour of an image. Avoid these or other outside objects that could bounce colour onto your screen or prints. Beware windows that allow daylight to enter the room, this will cause problems as the colour of the daylight will changes depending on the time of day and the weather.

Q: What is a reference print and who is Shirley?

In 1978 Kodak used an image of a model named Shirley as their standard testing card/image. Since then every model used as a test image as adopted the nickname “Shirley”. We can supply you with a printed “Shirley” and you can download the digital copy of the image here . This serves as a quick reference guide for you to check our printers’ output compared to your monitors calibration. Along with the portrait demonstrating a range of colours and even skin tones is the 12 Macbeth colour patches , our printers’ 100% Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow output and grey scale patches representing our printers density gamut. The grey scale patches are an extremely useful tool as these demonstrate the values at which printers start to lose detail in the black and white most points of your image. For instance if you are concerned about loosing the fine details on a white wedding dress you can use the eyedropper tool in Photoshop and hover over the white most points of the image. If your RGB values for that area sit above 245 you may risk loosing detail and will need to adjust the white point in your levels. Likewise with darker areas of your print, if the values all sit below 10 where there should be details – your black point will need to be brought up a few increments. [fusion_imageframe image_id="13773" style_type="none" stylecolor="" hover_type="none" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" align="none" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset=""]https://www.streetsimaging.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Shirley.jpg[/fusion_imageframe]

Q: Is it safe to use my credit card

It sure is! We use eWAY, a verified, secure online payment gateway for all online transactions.

Q: How will I know if my order is ready?

If you have selected pick up or night box we will send you an SMS notification as soon as your order is ready. If you are having your order delivered you will receive a tracking notification email from Australia Post or Couriers Please.

Q: Can I email you photos to print?

We have a range of online ordering methods that help automate our workflow and our staff are more than happy to help you use them. If you would like to send your orders by email or a large file transfer service you can however, a $15 service fee will be charged.

Q: Why doesn't my print match the image on my screen?

The colour of your print is determined by the dyes in the print and the colour and amount of light falling on the print. The colour of your image on the screen is determined by the setup of your monitor regarding brightness, white point and contrast. Unless these variables are set correctly, you will not be able to get the image on the screen to match the image on your print. Consequently, correct viewing conditions for your print and a calibrated monitor are a basic necessity. Find out more about colour management or contact our staff to discuss.