Making an image print lighter or darker?

[daviess556]

Hello,

I'm using PSE11 and trying to print for the first time. The initial trials are coming out a little too dark, so can someone please advise exactly how I can lighten (and darken) the resulting print please?

Do please give me all the steps I need to take as I'm an old guy that's not that computer savvy!

Hope someone can help...

Stephen.

[hatstead]

Open your picture file in Editor

Go to Enhance menu>Adjust Lighting>Brightness/Contrast and work the sliders to suit.

[daviess556]

Thanks for that.

However, the image(s) are fine on screen and also when I have them printed by Vistaprint on a calendar, they're just coming out too dark when I try to print them via my Epson Photo Stylus.

I've just looked in a PSE11 'how to' type book and they advise "pressing ctrl + J" to bring up Layers and then adjusting Opacity, but I don't now 'where' I do this. I've tried pressing those 2 keys and nothing happens, so I'm obviously not doing something right!

Stephen.

[hatstead]

Suggest that you calibrate your monitor. If you don't have the equipment to do that, at least turn down the brightness of the screen a bit and see if your prints come out better. Vista-print probably has a process to optimize what you upload.

You can adjust layer opacity in the Layers panel. CTRL+J makes a duplicate of the layer.

[daviess556]

Thank you again for the suggestions. Much appreciated. If you have time, could you please advise the steps for making the layer opacity adjustment prior to printing?

Thanks,

Stephen.

[hatstead · Accepted solution]

The arrow points to it.

[daviess556]

Thank you once again for all your help in this.

Stephen.

[hatstead]

You're welcome.