Bob,

Interesting you should post this on the same day that DataColor has announced lower prices for their Spyder3 Studio system that provides both display and print profiling capabilities.

As to the current state of affairs regarding the "prints too dark' problem and too bright LCD displays, yesterday I posted just about my last word on the subject in my blog (at - http://blog.shutterbug.com/davidbrooks/), which noted that I have finished an article that's in the works at Shutterbug that deals with the problems involved with bright LCD displays and a color managed printing workflow. And, I will endorse a solution for getting control of LCD display brightness and be able to set monitor brightness to match printing paper white, and it is ColorEyes Display Pro software from www.integrated-color.com/. And, it works with most existing colorimeters, sensor for measuring displays, like Spyder and i1 Display.

I am not suggesting that what you describe is wrong or does not work, it does, and I have done it myself. But it does not have to be all that complex and challenging to get a display adjusted, calibrated and profiled; and then using a standard Photoshop color managed print workflow, use printer manufacturer print profiles and obtain very accurate and precise print color and density that matches the image on-screen you are printing.

In the last weeks and months I have been researching the problems associated with photo printing with personal computers, and there are ways to deal with it directly, fairly simply, and not just by buying high-end professional products.

David,

You are right. I have a sizable investment in the Spyder and felt compelled to make it work. Doing that on my own was very frustrating. Thank goodness the tech person was so very helpful.

The biggest problem for me was missing a screen and forgetting to check the correct button. Carelessness on my part for sure. However the screen setups could be more inclusive instead of having to remember to go through the several required before printing. Memory lapses are a real problem sometimes. The pad and pencil became my saving grace.

Bob Coder
Willcox, AZ

The workflow problem of being sure each step is completed in the right order and correctly is a problem, especially when you have been away from doing it for any tim.

Interestingly Lasersoft SilverFast software has an effective solution and one that makes ultimates sense especially considering the president and founder of the company Karl-Heinz Zahorsky is an aircraft enthusiast and pilots his own plane. Pilots have to follow a check-list of essential steps before take-off, and he has a "pilot" check list in his software that guides a user step by step through the process of scanning in the correct order. It helps learning and also assists getting everything done and not forgotten when away from doing it for a time.

As a retired educator turned photographer I taught students to do just that (HS Biology). Now I realize how important it is to practice what one preaches.

I am creating check off lists for several things I do at this Mac.

Bob