Help! (Printing pictures)

[goofy_duck2004]

I was trying to order some pictures of Arnav. A friend of mine suggested I use Mpix.com or Adorama. I tried Mpix first and when I was in the process of ordering, at one point it asks permission to crop the pictures as my pictures don’t fit the printing specifications.  So, I tried Adorama next.  Same story.  What is it that I need to change in my

Comments

[premkudva]

From what I see your photograph has an aspect ration of 1.5:1 (2:3 as mentioned in their page above) which should be good enough for 6x4 size and such proportioned photos.

Whereas their size looks very square and has a ratio of 1.25:1 or 4:5 as show above which is a sqaurish kind of format.

Your camera probably shoots 1.4897:1 but you should get standard 6x4/6x9 and other sized prints without problem.

Now the question is what size print did you opt for? If you opted for the sizes show in the 2:3 window you should have no problem. Anything else will require cropping or white borders.

[goofy_duck2004]

Hmm... that explanation went over the top.
To answer your question, i opted for the 8*10. Any idea how i can fix this ratio aspect on my cam?

[premkudva]

Ah I had thought right, you had opted for 4:5 which has a aspect ration of 1.25:1.

What you can do is opt for 8x12 in which case there will be no cropping problems, or select another image in which the ittle wittle feet are a bit zoomed out. In which case you can opt for 8x10 crop the image and still have the feet in.

Meanwhile have you tried resizing the crop tool? Meaning have you tried pushing the corners in? Maybe that could help?

Or another solution is get your 8x10 printed with the white border and crop the borders! (if you feel 8x12 is too enormous)

[premkudva]

> crop the borders!

This of course you will have to yourself at home;-) A straight edge like a steel scale and a scoring knife will do a great job.

[parag]

The problem is with the sizes of standard prints offered by printers. 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 do not have the same ratio of length and breadth. Digital cameras usually create images that are 3x2, unless you choose another option.

Only way to get your whole image in is: use editing software to adjust the photo size to match the ratio for the size of print you want or use 4x6 prints. Anything larger will get cropped.

[goofy_duck2004]

Hmmm.... i do want to print an 8*10, so the option to use a 4*6 in this particular order will not be a good choice. But i will try using photoshop and see how best i can fit the image in. Do you think it might affect the quality of the picture if for any reason, the image size gets reduced, considering the fact that i am wanting to print an 8*10?

[premkudva]

> Do you think it might affect the quality of the picture if for any reason

Nope since your camera resolution I assume will be set to pretty high levels. So minor reduction in image size will not matter.

> But i will try using photoshop and see how best i can fit the image in.

Will not work, you will get the very same option that the website is offering you. Meaning some part of the ittlewittle feet will get cropped regardless. This is because this is a close-up shot with not much empty space available around the subject.

Why don't you try a 8x12 instead?

[papayas]

hi manjula! sorry i didn't see this post earlier - you should've e-mailed me!

it's impossible to change this setting in your camera as it is based on the sensor size inside your camera, which is predetermined. like people mentioned above, most cameras tend to be 2x3 aspect ratios, which makes it problematic to print 8x10 images (aspect ratio=4x5). actually, it's a pretty pervasive problem for most photographers.

possible solutions would be to:

1. compose with more extra space around images so that you don't lose vital components when you are forced to crop.
2. print as an 8x12 (i often do this).
3. print as an 8x10, but in "widescreen" format, which basically means print the full image, but add solid black or white (or any other color) "bands" across the top and bottom in photoshop to compensate for that extra print area.

it's not perfect, but those seem to be the only options. good luck!

[goofy_duck2004]

Hi Pei. I kind of stopped myself from e-mailing you. As such i have been bugging you quite a bit of late with tonnes of questions and requests :P

Thanks for letting me know that these setting cannot be changed on the camera. Sad! They come up with so many versions and models of new cameras but they dont try to fix this issue. Anyway, i think i will probably compose with more space the next time. I cannot go back and re-click this picture which is above as it was taken when my son was 2-3 weeks old :) He is going to be 6 months old this 17th. I like your other suggestions too... pictures that i have already clicked by face problems with big prints, i think i will have to use photoshop for those.

P.S: I have some news for you. The book just arrived this evening. The picture on the cover looks FAB. Will take a picture of the book tomorrow and e-mail it to you.

[papayas]

never hesitate to e-mail with questions! if i can't get to it, i'll try to at least let you know. :)

i'm so glad the book looks good - I can't wait to see it!! :)

[arunshanbhag]

Manjula -
looks like you have a lot of good advise already!

Yes, PS is the way to go. Set your crop tool to the size you want (and resolution) and then go from there.

I use an online service offered by a local camera shop. They are pretty good. The advantage is I can make several versions and I can go over (usually the next day) and pick up the prints and see how they came out.

Good luck with your trials. Let us know how they turned out!

[goofy_duck2004]

You are lucky to have a local store cater to your needs. Must see if there is one such store out here.