P3D Re: Some Observations Top10

[Dave Williams <davidrw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

"Dr. George A. Themelis" wrote:
> 
> >9) The blame for poor pictures is levied in the following order: lab
> >tech, lab machine,
> 
> YES!  Bad prints are due to bad processing.

Dr. T, 

That comment is only valid if the negative is properly exposed.  Coming
from the perspective of a photo lab manager, I agree with these top 10
observations, and could add a few of my own.

Minilab equipment is so automated anymore that the vast majority of bad
prints come from negs that are underexposed or overexposed, in that
order.  People shooting into the sun and getting washed out skies and
underexposed buildings, people shooting snow scenes or beach scenes with
800 speed film and autoexposure.

Sure, there are bad prints sometimes made from good negs, I had an
associate print a roll on the wrong channel the other day, and they came
out too green.  But that is the exception rather that the rule.  

A blanket statement like yours is not only inaccurate, it illustrates
the very point he was making!

Respectfully,

Dave Williams,
Kansas City