Histogram and printing

sl60

Senior Member
Does a correct histogram (no clipping, etc.) equal a properly-exposed print (not too dark, etc.), no matter how the image looks on the monitor?
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
The histogram may denote a technically correct exposed photo, but is it the exposure YOU want? What if you want a high key (light or bright) photo or a low key (dark or sinister looking) photo effect? Suppose you took a picture of someone in front of a sunset, do you want a silhouette effect or a portrait of the person? In conclusion, a technically correct exposed photo, may or may not be the photo you want.
 

sl60

Senior Member
I do understand that, but my question is, if the histogram is correct (for where I want the print to end up--let's say a range of mid-tones from darker to lighter), is this the way it will print. I'm not concerned about color here, but on the reproduction of the tonal values inherent in the image. Let's say it looks darker or lighter on the monitor (for example, the monitor brightness set high), will the print come out with the values of the histogram, no matter what is displayed on the monitor?
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
Depends on whether the values fall within the range of the printer's capabilities. The tonal range of the monitor (due to brightness) can fall outside of the printer's ability to print anything.

There are many articles that compare the histogram with a printer's output. Google is your friend.
 

Texas

Senior Member
The answer to your last question is yes. If the printer/paper is mapped perfectly to the histogram.

A big if.

A better answer would come from making a print or two and having a good look at them.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I find that when printing, quite often I have to tweak adjustments to the shadows (raise them). Otherwise, quite often there isn't a lot of detail in the shadows. And that's after making sure I don't have any clipping going on. And as Don mentioned, be sure to calibrate your monitor.

If you are printing from Photoshop, you should allow Photoshop to manage the color rather than your printer. In PCC, you should find this printing dialogue box. And be sure to choose any other printing options you want. They WILL make a difference in the final printed copy.

Color Management.png
 

Texas

Senior Member
What is seen on the monitor does not influence anything 'as printed', that's what the OP is asking.

It is always great when what is seen on the monitor matches what the print will look like.

Perhaps I'm missing the point,it is an odd question.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
The simple answer would be no. An ideal histogram might be a good print but does not guarantee it.
Agreed.

A proper histogram, and by that I mean a histogram that displays no clipping in either the highlights or shadows, does not necessarily equate to a print you will be happy with. At least not in my experience. I currently use a printer-profile specific to the exact make and of model printer my lab uses so I can accurately soft-proof prior to printing. Before I had that profile I would usually increase the brightness of the photo before having it printed because if I didn't the print would look under-exposed. This has to do with the fact that LCD and CRT monitors are back-lit, which illuminates the photo on your monitor. A hard-copy print does not have that back-lighting and so it tends to look a little darker when printed. Many labs offer some kind of "Auto Correct" feature that handles this but I much prefer using a lab and having the ability to accurately soft-proof prior to printing.
 
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Chucktin

Senior Member
The first gotcha in this is that prints are viewed by reflected light and monitors are projected light as has been stated. Most discussion of this subject do not emphasize that enough. Jeff Foxworthy said it best: Shiney Objects, here is our life savings, we must have one!
 

Cligerson

Banned
It looks pretty good, but I prefer Samsung printers because the quality speaks for itself. I wouldn't use insufficient quality tools because I've had experience before, and it's been not very pleasant. I decided to save money on a printer and could only use the one I purchased for two months. That's why I started looking for other better quality options at mrdepot.ca. This search paid off after a couple of days when I found a terrific samsung printer option.
 
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slsl6

Senior Member
In my experience, even if the histogram is what you want, this doesn't mean that a print will be what you want. The reason--at least as far as I can tell--is that what you see on your particular monitor may not be what the printer sees. Monitors and especially smartphones screens are typically quite bright (so the printed image will come out darker than what the monitor displays) and sometimes oversaturated. Ideally you should calibrate the monitor. I use a gamma checker (quickgamma) to set a value I like and set the brightness on the monitor. Then I use Gimp to softproof the image (you need to find the ICC code for the printer you will be using--they're available on-line), which helps. But I find that to print properly I have to lighten the image quite a bit for it not to print overly dark and lower the saturation so the print is not too oversaturated. Everybody's different and every printer is different.
 
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