Blurb book appears dark.

john , other members,

 

i wanted follow on thread. have been waiting results of experiment in order post views here. received blurb book ordered yesterday , share of findings questions or concerns. since older thread post post or thread others can read , provide input in case miss here.

 

first, after catastrophic failure book had created in lightroom's book module (i lost book finished , contained approximately 220 pages) able recover back-up done lightroom initial 60 pages of book. exported pages jpegs following john's helpful advice , instructions. pages exported jpeg's 300 dpi , compression set highest level of quality.

 

after downloaded blurb's indesign template same book size had created in lightroom (in case large landscape, 10" x 13"). able next place jpeg images on first 60 pages of indesign book , continued there. jpeg images placed on layer of own. next locked layer no changes made accident , created additional layers other elements. continued place images on subsequent pages (from page 61 forward) place additional elements such text, image caption, page numbers , others. these elements placed on initial pages on layers above containing jpeg images exported lightroom. placed above image layer on subsequent pages. when book finished exported book using blurb downloaded pdf export preset. book submitted pdf book. uploading took less time anticipated and, exception of price (i wish bit more reasonable), everyting went smoothly.

 

the book looks great. hardcover makes book expect find @ local barnes & noble store - professional. in general quite impressed , following observations:

 

1. it's not photographic quality book.

 

the book pictorial containing photos part. images 'book quality' not 'photo quality', if know mean. not quality expect low cost epson photo printer looks photos find on typical printed book. of images either 300 dpi or higher. indesign has nice feature allows place image on page , reduce size. size reduced can see resolution increasing on 1 of menus. resolution should have been enough produce high quality images suspect process has printing process rather resolution (registration?, others?).

 

2. images appear darker.

 

the images in general darker appeared when book created. know there differences between both media - computer screen emissive , paper reflective. however, had hoped printing process take account, including brightness of paper, , make proper adjustments book close possible screen counterpart. not case.

 

is there scientific way address ? there calculate way increase brightness prior submitting book printing compensate phenomenon ? if not, more art science , 1 must 'guess' loss , increase brightness @ ?

 

3. paper looks great affects (sometimes negatively) viewing experience.

 

i chose expensive paper blurb offers. proline pearl photo paper , has nice, soft, matte finish like. downside is not reflective , further compounds 'darker' feel. in addition think 'white' isn't white due characteristics of paper. more off-white or light gray. again, nice know if there scientific way address this. 1 expect press utilize kind of algorithm takes these variables account, including paper individual qualities. there way ?

 

4. hardcover looks nice can see fingerprints on it. cover isn't offered choice of uv coating, nice protect , make longer term investment. can see book ageing faster if care not exercised in handling.

 

having said of above must experience has, part, been positive one. book looks quite nice. adobe indesign has proven terrific tool type of job , there can integration between lightroom's book module (once thing working way should) , indesign. didn't notice difference in quality between images exported lightroom , manually placed in indesign.

 

i wish blurb offer more choices , few issues addressed:

 

1. more paper choices.

2. uv coating cover (and pages).

3. reliable method compensate brightness images on books don't appear dark.

4. lightroom export indesign document wish add, refine or edit book in indesign.

 

thanks john , pointing right direction.

joe_caldwell wrote:

 

the images in general darker appeared when book created. know there differences between both media - computer screen emissive , paper reflective. however, had hoped printing process take account, including brightness of paper, , make proper adjustments book close possible screen counterpart. not case.

 

is there scientific way address ? there calculate way increase brightness prior submitting book printing compensate phenomenon ? if not, more art science , 1 must 'guess' loss , increase brightness @ ?

without way soft proof images print itself, no. in terms of getting such match if output profiles , soft proofing possible, see this:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/why_are_my_prints_too_dark.shtml

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