Another enlargement question

Just got back an 8x12 enlargement from a slide. The print looks like it was lightened somewhere in the process and also the colors aren't as rich as the original slide. I'm aware how prints from film are "adjusted" when developed, however I'm curious if that occurs when enlarging from slide? Or is it that an image gets "lighter" when enlarged. I am new to enlargements (small, small budget) so forgive the n00bness of the question!

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Originally Posted by Almighty_tuna

Just got back an 8x12 enlargement from a slide. The print looks like it was lightened somewhere in the process and also the colors aren't as rich as the original slide. I'm aware how prints from film are "adjusted" when developed, however I'm curious if that occurs when enlarging from slide? Or is it that an image gets "lighter" when enlarged. I am new to enlargements (small, small budget) so forgive the n00bness of the question!

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No print will ever look as good as a slide.

First, slides are viewed with transmitted light, prints with reflected light. Transmitted light is what gives your eyes those glowing colors from a slide. No ink-on-paper can do that.

Second, slides have a much larger dynamic range than prints, something has to give. Also, a slide's contrast is much more than any ink and paper can reproduce.

Third, to get a decent print from a slide you have to go the expensive route. Find a good shop and open up your wallet. They will work with you to get the best print possible.

Michael - Thanks for explaining that to me - it makes perfect sense! :) You say open up your wallet for a better enlargement. I've got no problem if the end result is worth it. What are your experiences with the process, what did you pay? Hope you don't mind me asking.

A couple of places come to mind for the best work with this, both in/near San Francisco - Colorfolio and Calypso Imaging. They will drum scan the slide, make adjustments in Photoshop to get the digital file as close as possible to the original slide, send you a proof, make the adjustments you need, etc... It can easily turn into a couple hundred bucks, but then you have the master digital file that only needs to be printed each time.

If you really want to take control over the whole process, get a good scanner like a Nikon Coolscan V and start working with the images in Photoshop Elements. This will only cost as much as a couple of these prints and give you great results. If you want a huge print, the experts will be able to do a better job, of course. For reasonable sizes (say 16x20 even) I've seen excellent work done on this equipment.

That's great advice, thanks a lot! I don't know about getting a Coolscan since the local lab does hi-res for $2 apiece. I dont think I would use it enough for it to pay off. But the process is certainly not lost. I will have to give it a shot (no pun) in the near future.