From: rspeirs@javelin.sim.es.com (Ron Speirs)
Subject: Re: Color infidelity question (recommendation for Fuji processing needed)
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 21:36:34 GMT

In article <1992Aug31.051517.1541@walter.bellcore.com> jchen@flash.bellcore.com (Jason Chen) writes:
>I recently had a few Fuji print films developed in a few places. Often times
>the pictures show different degrees of greenish skin tone. Is the problem due
>to incorrect negative developing or non-optimal print paper? I would like to
>enlarge some of the pictures. If the problem is with the negative, I may not
>want to bother.
>
There are two things that happen when you send in your print film for
processing:
	1.  Your film is processed in standard C-41 chemical process.
	2.  Your film (now a color negative) is printed onto color negative
	    paper and then that paper is processed.

Improper processing of your film is probably rare, as most labs run checks
on their chemistry.  A far more common problem is that the operator and/or
printing machine does not print your negative onto the paper properly.  When
you get a funny tint on your pictures, most likely the printing machine was
not set properly or the operator does not know how to run it properly, or
(even more grim) they don't care how the machine is adjusted and don't even
bother to look at your prints when they are done.  

Many people don't know this, but printing machines (enlargers) can produce
almost any color balance on a print, including the right one!  The objective
is to get the RIGHT color balance.  With negatives exposed in non-daylight
situations, this does take skill and care.

Considering you got some greenish pictures, is there any chance you had
shot the pictures under fluorescent light?  Fluorescent light has some
prominent spectral lines in the greens, and most color films pick that up.
If those negatives are printed _without correction_, they will be greenish.
But any lab worth its salt can correct that and give you a proper print.
You will have to complain, and probably get past the counter help.  But if
a lab can't/won't give you satisfaction, tell them, and take your film
somewhere else.

Probably the biggest problem with photofinishing in this country is that
we, as consumers, don't demand enough quality.  Many times, while standing
at the photofinishing counter, I have looked over someone's shoulder at their
prints as they were examining them.  I have been VERY TEMPTED to say to the
person, "Honestly, they did a poor job at printing your negatives.  You
really ought to ask them to do them over", but I have resisted and said
nothing.  But I DO advise my relatives and work associates to take theirs
back, and from their reports, their prints are much better.

>I also need some recommendation for a good place to develop Fuji films.
>Fuji color labs is an obvious choice. But I don't know where to buy their
>mailers locally. Any other good choices? 

My advice to my friends is to find a lab that is VERY convenient to go to
(like on the route to work), because you will have to go back several times
to get your prints right!  It is better to find a place where the lab is
on the premises, because then you can talk directly to the people who do
the work.  Demand satisfaction.  That's the only way you will get it.

------------========= POLITICAL SCIENCE IS AN OXYMORON =========----------

Ron Speirs, Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah



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