amie morgan wedding photography of carmel ca | professional two-person photojournalist team specializing in destination weddings in the beautiful central california coast | serving monterey, carmel, pebble beach, pacific grove, santa cruz, and big sur | monterey wedding photographers shooting and capturing all your priceless memories
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Processing time during the post-production phase - estimated wait time
From your wedding in Carmel Valley until you get the proofs...how long to expect
Return to the F.A.Q. INDEX
Q: This may be a stupid question but why exactly are you mailing me "proofs" when I have the high-resolution digital images? Aren't the digital images and the proof prints the exact same thing?
A: This is not a "stupid" question in the slightest; in fact, it is almost always overlooked. Many clients simply use the proof prints as an extra set of prints for the family album or to show friends when they come and visit. This is of course all fine and dandy but the true purpose of the proofs is to convey the images in a format that best mirrors the way I, your photographer, view the image. Accordingly, after you see the image in a similar light, you're then in a sound position to determine if this image is a "keeper" or not.
It is absolutely true that the digital images you'll receive are the exact same image, in the exact same resolution that the proof print was derived from. However, and this is key, I can virtually guarantee that the monitor on which you'll view the digital images is not calibrated properly. Thus, even though the digital file is the same, the way you view the image is not accurate and will not come close to looking like the way an enlargement would be printed. Keep in mind that we use extremely high-end monitors and calibrate them bi-weekly with the award-winning i1Display 2 colorimeter. Just to begin proving my point, you should be able to clearly distinguish between all 26 shades of gray depicted below; if not, you've got a long way to go before we both could be said to have the same point of view when comparing images:
Q: I think you messed up on my pictures because the images I see on-line in my slide show don't even look remotely close to the same quality & color as the proof prints you mailed me. What is going on?!
A: Along the same lines as the response immediately above, the reason why the images you see via your on-line slide show have significantly different color, hue, and saturation when compared against the proof prints you received is primarily due to (a) poor monitor calibration, and (b) a narrow "color space" when viewed on-line versus in print.
Q: Will I receive any paper proof prints with the event package I booked? If so, how many?
A: All event packages include a good sum of proof prints to showcase/preview the images and memories captured during your event. The total number of proof prints that you'll receive is directly correlated to the event package booked with us (check our prices page for the most current info). In short though, you'll receive anywhere from one hundred or more proof prints.
If you'd like additional proofs of the remaining digital images comprising your event package simply visit our a-la-carte pricing for more detail.
Q: What size are the proofs and what type of finish will they have?
A: These images are 4" x 6" in size and are almost always printed with a glossy or pearl finish (occasionally we use a FineLinen finish surface).
We utilize a glossy or pearl finish because it is the best method available to convey the detail of your image. This level of detail is necessary when assessing all the rich color and vibrant, crisp "feel" enmeshed within the print. Again, don't forget that the whole point of proofs is to convey to you the way the image is "supposed to" be viewed; after you view it "properly," you may then make the necessary determinations as to if you want enlargements of a given picture or not.
On the flip side, we do not recommend, nor do we actually offer, glossy finishing for "final" enlargements. The reason why we deeply frown upon glossy enlargements is because smudges and fingerprints are virtually inevitable during the handling of the print. Along the same lines, any attempt at "cleaning" the smudges/fingerprints is a sure-bet way to scratch the print permanently). Additionally, unless you have truly optimal lighting, glossy prints yield unsightly glares.
We are currently in the midst of transferring over from providing glossy-only proof prints to a better middle ground of utilizing "pearl" paper from Ilford for our proofs. Basically, "pearl" paper is a hybrid between glossy and matte finishes. Additionally, we utilize ChromaLife100 dye-based ink on, as mentioned earlier, high quality Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl Paper (a hybrid between a glossy and matte finish), this proof quality print will be vibrant and long-lasting (resists fading for: 30-year light-fastness & 10-year gas-fastness).
Regardless, I often tell clients that glossy proofs should be viewed as one-time use "disposable" pictures which allow you an opportunity to determine which images are your favorites and should be enlarged/duplicated.
Q: Will you put a watermark, stamp, or copyright logo on the print?
A: Absolutely not! Please read our in-depth answer to a similar question contained on our F.A.Q. entry relating to digital images.