I'm struggling to get good shadow separation on prints, despite using great files, and decent manufacturer and/ or custom profiles. Pictures of buildings in the sun look great in the light, but the shadow side is all plugged up, and I'm having to apply a massive shadow correction curve, to get anything out of it.
Is there an x-rite profile target or setup that could help with a custom profile especially focused towards the bottom end of the tonal scale? Wishful thinking maybe, but wanted to ask.
I use x-rite with an Isis XL, M0, d50. Fully color managed pipeline, with Epson P20000. Files are phase one IQ100, 16bit, low ISO, with great dynamic range. Spectacular on screen, but really plugged up in when printed. At least until a huge correction curve is applied.
At the moment 3,3,3 and 8,8,8 and 14,14,14 are indistinguishable in print. Any tips, or advice to get better shadow definition greatly appreciated!
I tend to keep the files in 16bit and just send that to the printer to work out. Is that a mistake? should I drop it to 8 in a controlled way in Photoshop?
Thanks