Smugmug

[MICKEY88]

What I don't like about Smugmug:
1) They deal only with sRGB images. They can't print Adobe RGB. It's one reason that I do my own printing at home rather than ordering from them.
.

I'm wondering why this is an issue, I was just reading a forum on another site, and a group of photographers were telling someone that it's est to shoot and edit in srgb or convert to srgb...

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm wondering why this is an issue, I was just reading a forum on another site, and a group of photographers were telling someone that it's est to shoot and edit in srgb or convert to srgb...

sRGB has a color range similar to what most monitors can reproduce. It is the closest thing that we have to a standard for displaying pictures online. In fact, most browsers are colorspace unaware and just assume that all pictures use the sRGB colorspace. For those reasons, I see why they would want photos that you post to be in sRGB.

The problem I have is when it comes to printing. Printers can handle a wider range of colors than sRGB represents. For that reason, I prefer to work in a wider colorspace like Prophoto RGB and use soft proofing to estimate how my photo will look. Smugmug's official position is that it makes very little difference and isn't worth the hassle. I disagree, especially when shooting very saturated colors like flowers.

 

[MICKEY88]

sRGB has a color range similar to what most monitors can reproduce. It is the closest thing that we have to a standard for displaying pictures online. In fact, most browsers are colorspace unaware and just assume that all pictures use the sRGB colorspace. For those reasons, I see why they would want photos that you post to be in sRGB.

The problem I have is when it comes to printing. Printers can handle a wider range of colors than sRGB represents. For that reason, I prefer to work in a wider colorspace like Prophoto RGB and use soft proofing to estimate how my photo will look. Smugmug's official position is that it makes very little difference and isn't worth the hassle. I disagree, especially when shooting very saturated colors like flowers.

as always thanks for the info, that's good to know...

 

[Gdad]

Here is a run-down I found of Smugmugs position on this- Thanks for the info Mark- I never realized they were converting my files.

 

[jann1033]

so from what i understand from gdad's link, if i get them printed they are going to use srgb anyway so if i convert to that pp couldn't i just adjust with more saturation or something for things like flowers if need be? in other words wouldn't they come out more true to what i want by converting myself?
this does make sense to me though since the few things i have had printed don't seem to look exactly like i remembered...however, if you tell them not to color correct i assume they would still convert to srgb

 

[MarkBarbieri]

so from what i understand from gdad's link, if i get them printed they are going to use srgb anyway so if i convert to that pp couldn't i just adjust with more saturation or something for things like flowers if need be? in other words wouldn't they come out more true to what i want by converting myself?
this does make sense to me though since the few things i have had printed don't seem to look exactly like i remembered...however, if you tell them not to color correct i assume they would still convert to srgb

That's what soft proofing is all about. It's letting you see on your monitor, as close as possible, how your pictures are going to look when printed. That allows you to make adjustments to compensate for some of the things your printer is going to do.

No matter how you slice it, sRGB just can't represent some colors and no printer can represent every visible color. You have some control over how those situtations are handled using different conversion options in photoshop like relative, perceptual, etc. They are all different ways of specifying how you want your image handled. There is no "best" way or simple rule. I only worry about it when the colors are important to the picture.

 

[jann1033]

That's what soft proofing is all about. It's letting you see on your monitor, as close as possible, how your pictures are going to look when printed. That allows you to make adjustments to compensate for some of the things your printer is going to do.

No matter how you slice it, sRGB just can't represent some colors and no printer can represent every visible color. You have some control over how those situtations are handled using different conversion options in photoshop like relative, perceptual, etc. They are all different ways of specifying how you want your image handled. There is no "best" way or simple rule. I only worry about it when the colors are important to the picture.

where is soft proofing available?

 

[Suburbanmom]

I haven't signed on yet, but when I do, I plan to use zenfolio. That I can choose to have them do my printing through mpix.com is what tipped the scales in their favor.

 

[Shutterbug]

Mark,

What type of smugmug account do you have?

As far as everyone talking about getting them printing and which site is better than the others, I just take mine to the local photo lab. Its an actual photo lab at a camera shop that has been around for along time. I like being able to actually talk with the people that are developing them.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I recently upgraded to a Pro account so that I can post hi def video and so that I can charge money for portraits that I post.

 

[jann1033]

Mark,

What type of smugmug account do you have?

As far as everyone talking about getting them printing and which site is better than the others, I just take mine to the local photo lab. Its an actual photo lab at a camera shop that has been around for along time. I like being able to actually talk with the people that are developing them.

since you are in ne ohio as well, mind telling me where? i was considering using van's photos in mentor as they do in house processing but sometimes they have seemed to steer me in questionable directions(ie a mirror lens the guy told me i needed if i wanted a sharp macro, uh nope, don't think i will do that)

 

[chirurgeon]

Someone recommended Smugmug.com to store my photos online. Has anyone used that service? I know it is a pay service, but I was impressed by what they have to offer.

Any opinions?

Kim

 

[Josh125]

I can't say enough good things about it !

 

[jenbeat1]

I also use SmugMug and have been very happy with it. Feel free to use my coupon code to save a few bucks if you sign up: liL3R1mUYmjel

 

[Lizziejane]

another happy smugmugger here!

 

[WickedWench]

I was hesitant to sign up for it when there were so many free sites out there. I got a 1/2 off code, so decided to try it, and I *LOVE* it. I'm so glad I went with them.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I'm very happy with it and I know there are several folks on this board that are smugmuggers.

 

[AustinTed]

It's great, especially if you like to control access to your pictures (password protected gallariies, restrict download sizes, etc)

-Ted

 

[JR6ooo4]

I have been with them since Nov. 2003! They have great upload options available.
Charging by bandwidth used is a great deal also. I have about 12 gigs of photos online.

with my pro account I can set prices for selling photos, lock photos to disable right click and save, set the size available to view, automaticaly add a watermark to viewed photos without affecting the original file. And with no file size charges I can upload a very large file in case anyone wants to print large. Like 24 inch or more. You also have about six sizes to choose from when posting to message boards, which is nice.

Mikeeee

 

[gruZ]

Another vote here. I've been with them for about 18 months, and have been very happy with them!