Resizing and its impact on photo prints

[SimonL]

Hi
I have searched for 'resizing' but didn't find an answer. I have recently done a photo shoot for a friend and some of the photos needed cropping / resizing. Now that we have come to do print outs, we have noticed that some of the shots have been resizing/cropped again by the developers. I am assuming that this is because they weren't resizing to one of the standard/common photo sizes.

I was interested to hear from members here what they do when they re-size and advice on what I should do in future to ensure that the image we save in photoshop etc is the same size / appearance when we get prints back from the developers.

Regards
Simon

[LenDog]

Looking forward to the responses here as well.

I print my own photos, and have found that the photo has to be in a "standard" crop to work in windows (or anywhere outside of LR). In LR, I've learned I can use the print module to make custom crops fit a standard size, and print from there.

Others ways of printing custom crops to standard sizes would be welcomed.

[Edsport]

If you're photos isn't cropped to the ratio that you're printing then yes they will be cropped again. For eg. if you're printing a 4x6 then the ratio should be 4x6, 2x3, 8x12 etc, these all have 4x6 ratio and wont be cropped again when printing. You should crop to the desired ratio before getting it printed. In photoshop it's easy. Select the crop tool and up top in the width and height boxes put in the desired ratios. EG. 4 in by 8 in then use crop tool and it will only allow you to crop to that ratio...

[jdepould]

If I'm printing, I don't actually resize the images. I may crop, depending on final output size, but I don't resample the pixels. I just output max size, using the correct aspect ratio.

If I'm printing 8x10, I crop to 8x10 aspect, but don't resize the image. If it's 3000 pixels on the long side, then that's just where I leave it.

[JAD40]

The developer probably cropped it because there is no standard size. If you shoot with a camera with an aspect ratio of 2:3 then you will be able to print an 8x12 shot fine, but if you choose 8x10 your photo will have to be cropped.

[digirebelva]

I normally crop my image before I send it so I know what I am getting when I get the prints back. My camera outputs at a 3:2 ratio (4x6, 6x9, 8x12 etc....) so any of the "std" sizes print sizes 8x10, 11x14 I will need to crop for (not resize-resample). Otherwise I get prints at the 3:2 ratio so no cropping needed.

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by jdepould

If I'm printing, I don't actually resize the images. I may crop, depending on final output size, but I don't resample the pixels. I just output max size, using the correct aspect ratio.

If I'm printing 8x10, I crop to 8x10 aspect, but don't resize the image. If it's 3000 pixels on the long side, then that's just where I leave it.

This, exactly.

UNLESS I'm sending the file itself to the client (for example, if they're using it for promo material that someone else is printing). Then I usually resize to 300ppi.

[FocalFrenzy]

This is a very interesting thread. I normally crop and save each image in each of the standard sizes (4x6, 5x7, and 8x10). I leave the resolution at it's original value unless the shots are for the internet, then I set the resolution to 72 ppi. I've found that leaving the resolution at it's highest, gives the best results when using cheap department store printing services (Wal-Mart, etc.). I never use these cheaper services myself, but sometimes my clients go the cheap route. At some point, I'll quit giving my clients images on disc so that I can control the quality of the prints myself.

[teaking]

Resizing is always an interesting topic with a few view points lol especialy on image resolution.

I have actualy been reading on cambridge in colour forums theres a topic there and there was a reply I found quite interesting they roughly say that even at 250 DPI/PPI thats about 10x10 per mm and 100 pixels in a square mm (I didnt check the maths too lazy) the interesting part was the question he asked.... Can your eyes resolve 100 tonal changes in a single square mm?

In a real world print do you really have to push the image size to 300 DPI cant you just leave it at 150 DPI if thats where it falls.

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by teaking

Resizing is always an interesting topic with a few view points lol especialy on image resolution.

I have actualy been reading on cambridge in colour forums theres a topic there and there was a reply I found quite interesting they roughly say that even at 250 DPI/PPI thats about 10x10 per mm and 100 pixels in a square mm (I didnt check the maths too lazy) the interesting part was the question he asked.... Can your eyes resolve 100 tonal changes in a single square mm?

In a real world print do you really have to push the image size to 300 DPI cant you just leave it at 150 DPI if thats where it falls.

It's a good question. I've seen some excellent images printed at 125ppi and have since not worried to much about resolution for printing. As long as the image itself is good, you're going to be okay -- larger prints definitely are merciless when it comes to sharpness &etc.

There's the caveat that it depends on what printer you use. If you have a high quality, calibrated printer and home and use quality paper, it's one thing, but trying to do it on a shoestring budget is another. I prefer my local photo lab because their machines are far and beyond what I could ever purchase, and they really do an amazing, amazing job.