Resizing for printing

[kfisher]

I need to know what is the best size to set my pictures at so that I do not have to worry about part of my picture being cut off when printing. When I go under "choosing image size" I see that there is a selection of sizes (8x10, 5x7, etc.) but when I choose one most of the picture is left out.

Is there a better way to resize them than going under image and chosing image size?

Also should I be adjusting the canvas size before I change the image size?

And my final question is that if a client wants to order wallets and a 5X7 of the same picture do I need to submit two photo's that are different sizes to the printing company?

Thanks for your replies.

[dakwegmo]

All of the standard print sizes and your camera have different aspect ratios. In order to get a single image to fit all of the different sizes you either have to crop out some of the details, or distort the image so that it fits that aspect ratio. Distorted images just look bad, so the best option is to crop. Most of the places I order prints from will let me upload/import one photo and select print sizes and crop as necessary.

[kfisher]

Have you had any problems with the resolution when uploading and croping on the printing companies website?? I am fearful that the picture I print will look horible in comparison to the picture I see on my computer screen.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by kfisher

Have you had any problems with the resolution when uploading and croping on the printing companies website?? I am fearful that the picture I print will look horible in comparison to the picture I see on my computer screen.

what kind of camera are you using...most DSLR's default to 4 x 6. Point and shoots usually default to a different size...that's why I'm asking.

So, if your camera produces a 4 x 6 in it's native state, you can produce images that are exact multiples of that aspect ratio without lose of data. Simply by multiplying 4 x 6 by 2 or 3 = 8 x 12, 12 x 18, etc
That said, being that the camera will produce an 8 x 12 in it's native state, any cropped dimension different than that will show a lose in the image. Ex: 8 x 10 loses 2 inches off the long dimension. Short of some very creative photoshop work that's what you're going to wind up with.

[kfisher]

I have a Sony a230. I don't know what default size it shoots in (I'm very new to this) and unfortunately I do not have it with me at the moment. How can I tell what the default size is??

[dakwegmo]

The Sony a230 has a max resolution of 3872 × 2592, which is 3:2.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by kfisher

I have a Sony a230. I don't know what default size it shoots in (I'm very new to this) and unfortunately I do not have it with me at the moment. How can I tell what the default size is??

Not sure about Sony's but when you have your local lab / store print your images...are they coming back to you as 4 x 6's with no lose in the image?...if so, your camera is producing 4 x 6's. Or if you can pull up an image in photoshop and use the crop tool set to 4 x 6, and after dragging it across the image from corner to corner it should make a perfect 4 x 6 crop with no image lose. Once again, you'll know if you camera is producing 4 x 6's in it's native state.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by dakwegmo

The Sony a230 has a max resolution of 3872 × 2592, which is 3:2.

OK, Marcus has it for you...your camera does produce 4 x 6's