Viewing scans on screen look worse than prints

campy51 · Jan 5, 2021

Is there a reason why my scans look worse when viewed on the screen than it does when printed? I end up wasting ink and paper due to seeing the final print is the best way to judge my photos.

Ariston · Jan 5, 2021

One medium is backlit. The other isn't. Also, there are different color profiles for each.

Some people calibrate their monitors to match their printer. That seems very tedious, but maybe worth it.

jeffreyg · Jan 5, 2021

I'm doing B&W . When it looks right on the monitor I lighten just a touch and boost the contrast a touch as well. Worked it out wasting a few sheets of paper. If you make corrections with curves you can save the curve and apply it when needed. Not every image fits that but through experience I found what works for me.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

campy51 · Jan 5, 2021

I'm sorry I should have mentioned I am only doing b&w. The prints are done on a Canon Pro 100 and look much better printed than viewed where my digital looks about the same viewing and printing. I always thought viewing on a screen is usually better than the prints.

Ko.Fe. · Jan 5, 2021

To me it is normal. I also don't like bw film scans on the screen. I prefer FB darkroom paper prints or quality inkjet prints.

Alan Edward Klein · Jan 5, 2021

I don't print. I scan and display on the web, computer, and 4k UHDTV. Maybe I'm missing something by not printing although I'm planning a photo book. ? Here are scans from 35mm, MF, and LF. A few are conversions from Ektachome color slides.
https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort...rch=1&tags=bw&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1

campy51 · Jan 5, 2021

Alan Edward Klein said:
I don't print. I scan and display on the web, computer, and 4k UHDTV. Maybe I'm missing something by not printing although I'm planning a photo book. ? Here are scans from 35mm, MF, and LF. A few are conversions from Ektachome color slides.
https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=bw&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1

My scans don't look nearly that good.

Alan Edward Klein · Jan 5, 2021

campy51 said:
My scans don't look nearly that good.

That's why I showed them. How are you scanning? What scanner? What editing are you doing? Can you post some samples?

Viewing scans on screen look worse than prints

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