I have seen some good results from shutterfly(not mine, other peoples). I print my own prints at home, unless I need larger then 11x14, then I go to the local giant photo processing business and have them print them. Costco supposedly had some of the highest quality printers available, but I guess based on the reviews given in this thread, some of the stores must not care too much about their output.

That's all I got.

See, that's what I heard too. I guess when we finally do get around to doing it, we'll start with a small batch to confirm the quality.

Also on the costco thread, color profiling is very important for any digital photo printing(applies also to the online solutions). The colors you see on your monitor may not be exactly the same colors that end up being printed unless you have your monitor "tuned" and have a color workflow set up. Basically, don't trust that what you see on your monitor is exactly what you will see in your prints unless you have done the work to make sure your monitor colors are accurate. That may be some of the issues with costco printouts, but can't confirm it as I don't know all the individual issues.

The color profile and workflow issue is one of the main reasons that I print my own prints, I have spent a lot of time making sure my monitor and printer colors match. And when I print at an outside vendor, I either make sure to get a test print, or view it on thier monitor(as I am sure that the vendors that I use have a monitor tuning ritual as well) to make sure the colors are accurate.

I use costco. They come out great and I only have to wait an hour for them. :)

I don't take the virgin prints in from the disc though. I always edit/clean up...the ones I want prints of. I love the quality of costco. :).

Partial Results...

My test prints from photoworks were the first to arrive. The quality rocks compared to my local photo shop. I'm still waiting for the prints/poster from snapfish. I also received an email from photoworks offering 30 more free prints. Given that I’m sitting on almost 2,000 shots from Alaska I snapped up that offer. Stay tuned for more updates as events warrant....

I went to the site you posted {photoworks} and their prices are great.

I take both 35mm and digital with an SD card. I also make cd's of my film to manipulate the photos better after.

I have used a lot of different places. Currently, I use Sav-On's 30 minute Kodak processing. I love it because, as was stated, when someone does it by hand it is much better. Well, the ladies there are great and do a fantastic job.

The digital. Well, I don't use theirs as it is .29 a print and Wal-mart is .19.

I had used Costco {East Chula Vista branch} and they did cut the photos, they didn't always come out so great. AND other times with the 35mm prints they would f up and say they hadn't. I remember making a set of 3 prints and two came out crappy and one came out clear. They told me it was my camera??? I had to go down and argue the point, it was about 4 rolls of film. Also, an enlargment I had done looked nothing {color wise} as the original. Does anyone know if this is from being enlarged {35mm} or because of their processing? It was only an 8X10 and it totally turned me off from making more large prints.

But, yesterday we did make an 8X10 enlargment of a print of the Yosemite Falls in winter, at Wal-Mart and it came out crisp and clear.

Thanks for the links on here, this is great information. I have more prints to make up and I think I will try this as the price is the same. If the quality is better, then I need to.

AND a question, since this is a picture thread~ how do you guys print up your Buzz Lightyear photos? I copied them on to a Bitmap and then my SD card and printed them up. Not too clear. Help!!

its them being lazy, if they took the time and made sure the color was adjusted correctly when they made the enlargement, it would have come out fine. On reason I go to stores that specialize in photography, they generally know what they are doing and take the time to do it right and are generally consistent with their output.
Walmart sucks, (just had to say it) :p

But don't be surprised if the next time you use them, you end up with poor results, its the nature of going somewhere where they may or may not know what they are doing.

Ah! So see, that is one reason why I quit Costco. Personally, I felt like they had too much business to care about mine. My pictures are extensions of myself. Yeah, they aren't that great looking either.

Okay, I think I will find that darn negative and make another enlargement. It is of Lake Tahoe and if you know Tahoe you know their sunsets are awesome and this one was especially so.

Yeah, Wal-Mart sucks. I agree. But, then again, as you said, specialty stores can be expensive.

Okay. :confused: Another photo question to you wonderful people:

I do take a lot of pictures. It sounds like you do as well. Is it beneficial, to the end product, to lug around a tripod? Not for every single shot but it seems I have some that I think, Darn it, that really could have been more clear. Just something that went through my head today....

A small tripod is always nice to have. Barring that, you can try a setting the timer, so your depression of the shutter button doesn't shake the camera...

Funny you should ask. I've just started carrying a mini-tripod with me on important outings. It's handy for both my digital camera and my spiffy new camcorder. Very light and easy to carry I used it for a number of shots on my last trip.