I am going to jump in here for Nat. May I ask why are you exporting files with the longest edge set to 1000 pixels? If you are looking for say an 8×10″ print then set the Image Size options in Lightroom’s Export Dialog to Dimensions and use Inches for your units. Just so you know a file with an 1000 pixel edge and a resolution of 300ppi is only 3.3″ long. This is why your lab’s Web site is blocking you from ordering a print that will look lousy!

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David Marx

I am glad that Nat jumped in and answered your question and I completely agree with his advice on using the Sync Command. Sometimes though it is worth knowing more than one way to accomplish the same goal. In this case, I would have suggested selecting your Virtual Copy and then using the Photo > Set Copy as Master Command. Invoking this command will automatically swap the settings from your Virtual Copy to the master file and then you could delete the Virtual Copy without any fear.

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David Marx

Thanks so much. I just tried it and it worked like a charm.

Jane

To Sync, first select the VC, then select the original that will receive the settings. You’ll see a button at the bottom of the right panel that Says “Sync” or “Sync Settings” depending on your version of Lightroom. Click that button, and a window comes up allowing you to choose what settings to Sync. If you want to Sync everything, click the “Check All” button. Press OK to apply the settings.

The order you select the files is most important; the first photo you select becomes the Active Photo, and it’s the one whose settings will be used in a Sync or a Copy/Paste.

If you make a mistake or sync something you didn’t want to, just press Cmd-Z or Ctrl-Z to undo.

Many thanks,

Jane

Welcome to the complicated world of color management! The first thing that you need to understand is that each device uses its own profile. To truly understand this topic you will need to do some reading. I would start with John Paul Cagonigro’s extensive library of articles on color management. If you are looking for a simpler guidebook to this subject try Color Confidence: The Digital Photographer’s Guide to Color Management (Tim Grey Guides) and if you want the definitive textbook on this weighty subject read Real World Color Management (2nd Edition) by Bruce Fraser. The good news is that once you get it all figured out then your print quality will significantly improve!

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David Marx

Also, I calibrated my monitor using Spyder 3 and wanted to get the matching profiles from some labs (Mpix, Costco, etc.) Since I end up in LR for my final exporting, how/where do I tell it to pick the particular lab profile on export. I’ve never used profiles before so I’m confused.