Setting Resolution for Maximum Prints

Oakley

Hi there,

I want to provide my clients with a CD/DVD of all their photos, but I would like to set the files up so they can only be printed at a max size of 4x6. I want to retain control of all enlargements.

Can someone explain to me how to do this - if at all?

Thanks,

Ryan

Sam

OK, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the long and the sort of it, you can't.

If you give them a 4X6 at 300 ppi, they can print off an 8X10 at 150 ppi, probably have ok results.

If you drop the 4X6 ppi to say 200 it would probably be ok, but if they are inclined they will try and print an 8X10 at 100 ppi, and if it looks bad, it will be your fault.

Or they can scan a 4X6 and print.

You might be surprised at what people will accept if it's cheap, or free.

As a thought why not charge what you need, and offer the full rez file?

Sam

Oakley

Sam wrote:

As a thought why not charge what you need, and offer the full rez file?

That's exactly what I do right now. But when I see all these photographers who hold tightly to their "digital negatives" and attempt to make $$$ on print sales and offer cheaper sitting fees, I start to wonder.

I think from a client POV, I would certainly want the full rez files. But I struggle whether that should be "part of the package" or an "extra".

I love "quotations" tonight, apparently.

sweet caroline

I just offer a flat rate on top of the sitting fee for all the high res files. Most clients opt for that over buying prints. It's something I feel good about. I know most of the people I take pictures of, or know someone they know. I love the idea of them having the ability to use a photo for their screen saver, or Christmas card, or make prints for everyone, or make a million prints for their kids to do scrap book projects (like I do). Plus, then I never have to worry about them illegally making copies of prints. Mostly, it's a decision I based on what feels good to me. But I don't depend on photography for my primary income.

Caroline

Montec

I just wanted to mention that you can make image file sizes very small and still get good on-screen viewing quality. This pic below is 600x700 pixels, 72dpi and only around 37k. You could never print this with acceptable results even at 4x6.

Oakley

Thanks for all that great information. I think I'm going to continue to provide the full rez files to my clients. It really is what feels right for me.

Montec --- where in the Kootenay's are you? I live in Nelson.

Montec

Oakley wrote:

Montec --- where in the Kootenay's are you? I live in Nelson.

Just South of you in Salmo!

xris

Whoa!

Montec wrote:

I just wanted to mention that you can make image file sizes very small and still get good on-screen viewing quality. This pic below is 600x700 pixels, 72dpi and only around 37k. You could never print this with acceptable results even at 4x6.

That's an exceptional photograph montec! I'm totally floored at the specs you quote. Obviously very nice lighting (Profoto?) and a nice lens have a lot to do with it, but it looks as though I have a LOT to learn about resolution. Any suggestions?
thumb

Montec

xris wrote:

That's an exceptional photograph montec! I'm totally floored at the specs you quote. Obviously very nice lighting (Profoto?) and a nice lens have a lot to do with it, but it looks as though I have a LOT to learn about resolution. Any suggestions?
thumb

Thanks for the compliments but it is simply a basic pose I do for schools and preschools...shoot 100 kids like this at a session, 300+ images.

I use one Alien Bee 800, right above camera position and a Lastolite Hilite for the background with another AB800 mounted inside. The exposure stays very constant through-out the session. f/8 and 1/125th are my standard settings, I meter the first subject, adjust the camera and lights and I am ready to go, I also shoot a grey card for WB corrections in post at this time. I usually shoot 100 kids in about an hour, it goes very quickly if you are organized with the staff.

I know the Alien Bee's have some colour temp problems at low settings where as the Profotos probably would be better but I shoot at f/8-11 and have the lights turned up over 50% most of the time so no colour or White Balance problems.

As for relolution I just played with the settings in PhotoShop's "Save for Web" module and when I want to get a small file size like this I choose JPG medium and usually get a very small file that could never be printed with any quality at all, even 4x6 would have issues I think.

Right click and save this photo and try to print it...you will see what I mean.

xris

Montec wrote:

...Right click and save this photo and try to print it...you will see what I mean.

Thanks Montec. Great excercise!

Okay. On my display the pic doesn't start to really fall apart until about 300 percent. In Easy-Photo Print (I use it for quick printing) it looks very blocky in the preview, but the 4X6 print is not too bad. Many folks would be quite happy with it, though it does begin to look grainy and certainly doesn't show the saturation of the on-monitor shot.

What are the specs of the original file?

And thanks for the lighting tips. Sounds very reasonable and efficient. Results are great! I'd love to see a pic of you set-up!!

Montec

xris wrote:

What are the specs of the original file?
I'd love to see a pic of you set-up!!

Original specs would be whatever comes out of the D300 in RAW mode...can't really say off hand but something in the 4MB range.

I am shooting in the morning, I will try to take a picture of the set up if I remember.

xris

Montec wrote:

...I am shooting in the morning, I will try to take a picture of the set up if I remember.

10 - 4. Have a great shoot. And thanks!!

Montec

xris wrote:

10 - 4. Have a great shoot. And thanks!!

Mistake on the file sizes...just under 20MB raw files, the JPG's I export for printing are around 4MB.