Issues with edited photos?

My wife is a photographer, and last Thursday her edited pictures began having problems. Her photos would look good on our computer, but when they were uploaded into MPIX ROES, e-mailed, burnt to a cd, or sent via yousendit, they would become muted. My wife has been using the same computer, photoshop, monitor, etc. For 2 years, so nothing had changed in our equipment and software.

We had been using Spyder 3 to calibrate the monitor, and we have since calibrated the monitor a few times. We have Norton Anti-Virus, and have Ad-Ware and Spy-Ware programs as back ups to Norton. Initially we though the color may be off on our computer, but the pictures look fine on facebook, and are just fine on our computer.

Yesterday we bought Photoshop 5, and decided to purchase a new laptop in hopes this would solve the issue. Since I'm writing this question, I'm sure you can guess that this problem has persisted to the new computer. I would think that it would be an issue with the files, but even new photos taken are having this problem The photos look fine on the computer, but as soon as they are compressed/uploaded/transmitted they become muted. We actually had one set of photos go through and the picture color was muted on one computer, then we sent it to another computer and the color was fine but the pictures became blurry.

Photoshop says the problem is not with their software. We have some computer people working on this. They have been uninstalling and installing things left and right, but they have no idea. They thought buying the new computer and system would work. Could this be an issue with the camera? In case this matters, it is a Nikon D300.

Any help would monumentally appreciated… Especially now at the holidays (which is my wife's busy season).

Thank you.

Added (1). It is not a single picture that is the problem, it is entire sessions. We have actually taken pictures on thumb drives to various other computers (in-laws, friends, neighbors), and the pictures look fine on these computers. The issue still remains that during the transfer it seems that all the files become corrupted.

I would have thought there was something with the RGB, but I can't understand why this would affect pictures during transfer as the pictures look fine on multiple computers. We have even tried taking the files, putting them on a flash drive, uploading them to other computers (where they look fine), then opening MPix Roes and they are still having issues on those computers. We're absolutely at a loss.

Doesn't sound like any issue with your camera. What color profile are you using? I have found that using different color profiles end with a muted color. I use Adobe RGB myself and had no issues. Did you try emailing the photo to see if maybe the transferring process is altering the photo? I use Mpix a lot and have no problems with altered colors.

This is a puzzler, and about all I can suggest is to try some experiments to see if you can isolate the problem.

For example, try printing some photos directly from your computer. If they come out well, it would seem the trouble is in the transmitting process. Also try putting another monitor on the screen to see if the images still look good. If they don't, it would indicate a monitor problem. Finally, borrow a camera (even a small point and shoot) to see if the problem happens wtih photos from another camera. If it doesn't, the D300 may have a problem (although I have to agree it seems unlikely based on the description).

I'm also a long time Mpix user. I do know that Mpix requires files to be sRGB… Not Adobe 98 or CMYK, so be sure you are submitting sRGB files. They also need 8 bit files, not 16 bit.

So are you SURE you are converting your files on YOUR end to 8 bit and that you are shooting in sRGB?

I will add that I do not use the ROES service of Mpix, but I can't see that it would make a difference, but who knows.

Here is what I think I would try if I were you. Don't send a large batch of files to Mpix. Send ONE file that looks fine on your computer, (and is sRGB 8 bit), using both Roes and the standard upload method to Mpix. This will at least help eliminate if ROES is a problem or not. But I would definitely work with just ONE photo at a time to try to start logically narrowing down where the problem is.

I have never had the slightest problem with Mpix, so I'm just trying to make a best guess.

Drawing straws here. Same result with JPEGS and RAW? RAW codec may be compromised. Do you use automated software to transfer pictures from your camera to your computer? Try using the file manager. Used another ISP? Maybe they have installed new file limits. Used another graphic editor? There may be something changed in the old one. If you haven't done yet, try sending unedited files too. Have you tried another camera? Try even just a cheapish one just for testing.