MP to film questions.
- This topic has 8 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated Jan 3, 2009 at 7:22 pm by
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I had a few photos developed the other day at Wally World…… I know, you get what you pay for but I was in a hurry. Anyway I had a few images made into 8×10 and there were issues. One of them was a collage and it came out cropped on the left and right side of the image. The other was a Tarpon image that I had cropped in PS and it came out more cropped.
So my question’s are how can I prevent this?
Is there a place I can view the exact image that will be printed?
Any tips on where to go for the best results?
Just FWIW other then the crop issues the film images were pretty sweet. Really makes me happy to see professional looking 8×10’s. I’m slow to come around but I’ve just learned that the images on the screen do absolutely no justice to the quality images that my equipment is capable of. I’m now even more happy with the money I’ve spent. I know by this time next year my entire den (my cave) will be covered with fishing, B&W, and wildlife, images.
Mike,
Just my 2 cents here, but I get enlargements done at Costco. I’ve noticed the same issue sometimes when I am not careful to crop to exact dimensions – the tech/printer will just crop off equal amounts from the sides/top.
I’ve noticed improvement when I am exactly sure that when I’m exporting from Picasa 3 (my basic photo editor), that the dimensions are exactly as I want them printed (so they fit the scale of shot). So, if I’m printing a 4×6, it’s exactly that size and orientation.
It may sound obvious but there’s been a few occasions when I’ve had to go back and reprint because the machine cropped it on its own. However, for 13 cents a print, it doesn’t break the bank thankfully.
I’ve also been very happy with the quality of my prints, doing it this way.
If you are interested in a quality lab try CPQ in Cleveland TN which is not to far from where you live. They have some good specials going on right now. They have been in business for a long time and really know what they are doing. http://www.cpq.com
Actually, if it is important, what about taking on the printing process yourself? Once you start doing the important stuff yourself, you’ll never go back. As long as it’s not volume printing, you’ll be much happier ($), and end up a control freak (like we printers) when it comes to your fine prints. shannon
Actually, if it is important, what about taking on the printing process yourself? Once you start doing the important stuff yourself, you’ll never go back. As long as it’s not volume printing, you’ll be much happier ($), and end up a control freak (like we printers) when it comes to your fine prints. shannon
I agree, however anything over 8×10 can require a significant investment in equipment, especially for archival quality.. but once you do it yourself you never go back.. some of the new sub $1K epson printers are awesome!
Mike,
The obvious answer is the aspect ratio. If your image came out of the camera, it was 2:3. If you had an 8×10 enlargement made, your 2:3 image would have to be cropped to 4:5 dimensions.
Ask for 8×12 prints or crop the image to the 4:5 ratio yourself before making 8×10 prints.
Great info Richard Thanks!
Thanks for the replies everyone, good help here as usual. I think I’ll eventually get into printing my own but I need to spend my extra cash on glass still.
As far as big box stores printing services, I’ve found Target (not the 1hr service) to provide great prints, though some cropping does occur due to the difference in aspect ratio from the sensor to an 8×10. Can’t remember if there is a Target in the Boro. I’d also try Batey’s over on Spring St.
http://society6.com/grainfarmer Fly Fishing and Landscape open edition Photography prints.
http://grainfarmer.vsco.co/ iPhone photos
http://instagram.com/chad_simcox Instagram
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