smaller versions of prints coming out too dark

[RMW]

Hello All.
I've been reducing prints from 12x18 to 6x8 (both app. sizes).
The larger size comes out just right. The reduced size comes out dark.
Using PS and Epson printer and Moab Luster. All up-to date.
To reduce the original I go to "Image" and keep resolution to 360 and then select "bicubic sharper (reduction)".
There are 11 (PSD) images and I'm looking for a simple way to print them all without having to re-softproof each one.
Any ideas or suggestions mightily appreciated.
Thanks!
Richard

[kers]

Do the smaller images still have the same colorspace...?

[RMW]

Thank you Kers.
Yes they do, PhotoPro.
R.

[RMW]

Excuse me.
Thank you Pieter !

[kers]

Maybe they only 'look' darker?
I just printed some portraits with a black background big and small and on the smaller ones the black seems too much darkness.
It needs to be printed bigger for the right feeling.
-
The only thing you can do is check the printing dialoques and compare them. .. sometimes you just don't see a simple mistake and you need someone else to point it out.
Good luck!

[RMW]

Thank you Pieter.
Will re-check settings to start with.
Have wondered if something like you describe occurs when image is reduced, some optical "switch".
Richard

[SharonVL]

I always find that a smaller print of the same file prints darker.

[Kenneth Sky]

This could just be a perceptual problem. Check that the details still remain in the shadows and compare these areas with a grey mask around them.

[Ernst Dinkla]

This could just be a perceptual problem. Check that the details still remain in the shadows and compare these areas with a grey mask around them.

Is possible. Also the border color and size or without border the background tone the print is viewed on. Grey mask works similar. 

Also check whether aliasing plays a role here. Textures can be compromised in downsampling. Better keep the original resolution in the file and print at the highest resolution printer setting so software downsampling is avoided or reduced and the droplets on the paper do the anti-aliasing part. Otherwise use Qimage Ultimate and set the anti-aliasing setting for downsampling right.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

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[JRSmit]

Reducing pixels in an image will lead to increased contrast and hardness . It will alter the appearance of the image. On top of this the smaller size will further strengthen this. Perhaps this is also why you experience a darker print.

[Conner999]

Viewed side-by-side, smaller copies will look darker/higher contrast.  You lose a lot of the tonality in the lights and darks.

[PeterAit]

I don't understand this resampling stuff--why you are using it. When I need to make different size prints of the same photo, I do not do anything to the image but just specify the different print sizes in the software. Modern printer drivers are very good at dealing with this situation. I have never had any problem remotely like what you describe.

[JRSmit]

I don't understand this resampling stuff--why you are using it. When I need to make different size prints of the same photo, I do not do anything to the image but just specify the different print sizes in the software. Modern printer drivers are very good at dealing with this situation. I have never had any problem remotely like what you describe.

Not so sure that printers do a good job of resizing in pixels. If driver is set to 360ppi it expects 360, else it will resize to 360ppi. Not necessarily in a fine quality manner.
That is why f.i. Lightroom print allows you to set the ppi of the file to output to the printer.
Regardless of this, reduction in pixels leads to increasing contrast and hardness or harshness. In the example of the OP it is about x2 linear ,so x4 in total number of pixels.