When I drop off a roll of film at Walgreens or Wal-Mart, how can I
make sure they don't perform any sort of automatic adjustments on my
pictures?
Michael Benveniste - 06 Sep 2007 18:19 GMT
"Oven Fried Chicken Tenders" <chickentenders@trashymail.com>"
> When I drop off a roll of film at Walgreens or Wal-Mart, how can I
> make sure they don't perform any sort of automatic adjustments on my
> pictures?
Short of not having them make any prints, I don't know of a way
to be sure. Even if the machine can be set for "no adjustments,"
I've found that operators rarely follow such instructions.
While I will use consumer outlets for less critical C-41 film,
I typically ask for "CD only" instead of 4x6's and scan the
interesting shots.

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Nospam@NOSPAM.com - 06 Sep 2007 20:26 GMT
> "Oven Fried Chicken Tenders" <chickentenders@trashymail.com>"
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> I typically ask for "CD only" instead of 4x6's and scan the
> interesting shots.
As much as I hate Wal-Mart, for various reasons, a few of them in Phoenix
and LA area have pretty smart people behind the counter that will take
directions and pretty much do the whole thing while you watch. It might
be worth a try to check them out in your area. Walgreen's on the other
hand is pretty much worthless. IMHO
mark.thomas.7@gmail.com - 07 Sep 2007 11:56 GMT
On Sep 7, 3:19 am, "Michael Benveniste" <mhb-of...@clearether.com>
wrote:
...
> > When I drop off a roll of film at Walgreens or Wal-Mart, how can I
> > make sure they don't perform any sort of automatic adjustments on my
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> I typically ask for "CD only" instead of 4x6's and scan the
> interesting shots.
Some other suggestions:
1. get to know the staff
2. bring along/include in every batch a very obvious test image, with
greyscales, fleshtones, color chart, high/low key imagery...
3. try a camera store which includes printing facilities instead, and
then return to item 1.
Pudentame - 07 Sep 2007 03:37 GMT
> When I drop off a roll of film at Walgreens or Wal-Mart, how can I
> make sure they don't perform any sort of automatic adjustments on my
> pictures?
Just say "Don't make any automatic adjustments on my pictures."
Doug Jewell - 07 Sep 2007 13:53 GMT
> When I drop off a roll of film at Walgreens or Wal-Mart, how can I
> make sure they don't perform any sort of automatic adjustments on my
> pictures?
The thing is with colour negative film, is that no matter what
film/subject/exposure, there have to be _some_ adjustments made to get
usable prints. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage
is that it makes the film very forgiving - you can have your exposure out by
quite a bit, and have your colour balance dreadful, and still get usable
prints. The disadvantage is that to a large extent, the final result is
governed by the settings that the lab operator chooses. Depending on his/her
skill level, and depending on the type of subject, this could mean that the
prints you get back are nothing like you planned.
So no matter what, the lab has to make some adjustments, the trick is
getting them to make the adjustments that you want. One technique is to make
the first frame a photo of a test chart/grey card etc. The lab can use that
as a base for colour balance and exposure, and print the rest of the roll
using those settings.
Another thing you might have them do is scan the film to CD, then make any
necesary exposure/colour adjustments in photoshop, before you print the
images as digital files.
If you have a friendly lab operator, they may allow you to preview the shots
as they print them. This way you can get the colours and exposure set the
way you want them.
I'd suggest that you start by having a chat with someone at the lab to get a
feel for how they operate. Being in Australia, I'm not familiar with
walgreens or walmart, but if they are typical department store labs, they
might not be real helpful. You might be better off with a dedicated lab.
Ken Hart - 07 Sep 2007 16:49 GMT
> When I drop off a roll of film at Walgreens or Wal-Mart, how can I
> make sure they don't perform any sort of automatic adjustments on my
> pictures?
Since the person working behind the photo counter today may have working in
housewares last week, and toys the week before, its pretty much a crap shoot
whether they know how to turn off the automatic features on a machine that
was specifically designed to be operated with very little training.
When you want a specific type of processing, you go to a professional lab
where they actually know how photography works.
The question now is, why would you want them not to make any automatic
adjustments? If you are doing test shots, the general rule is to use a
transparency (slide) film, as there are no adjustments available in the
processing.
Pudentame - 07 Sep 2007 22:24 GMT
>> When I drop off a roll of film at Walgreens or Wal-Mart, how can I
>> make sure they don't perform any sort of automatic adjustments on my
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> whether they know how to turn off the automatic features on a machine that
> was specifically designed to be operated with very little training.
Nah. It's usually the same crew of idiots all the time. Underpaid, under
trained and probably don't give a sh.t, but it's a steady job.
William Graham - 07 Sep 2007 23:43 GMT
>>> When I drop off a roll of film at Walgreens or Wal-Mart, how can I
>>> make sure they don't perform any sort of automatic adjustments on my
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Nah. It's usually the same crew of idiots all the time. Underpaid, under
> trained and probably don't give a sh.t, but it's a steady job.
If it's slide film, then there is no problem. If it's not, then tell them
not to print it, but to just develop the film....Then, after you've had a
chance to inspect it, you can bring it back to them and tell them how you
want it printed. (or, scan and print it yourself, which is what I do)