Pixel size versus Print Size

camillercamiller Registered Users Posts: 202 Major grins
edited September 2, 2009 in The Big Picture
Hi. I need some help determining what size my photos can be printed at. Is there a general rule and if so where can I find it explained?

My camera is a Canon Powershot SX10IS (point and shoot). I shoot most of my photos at the max size which is 3648 x 2736 at 10MP JPEG format. FYI most of them are taken on the macro setting if that matters.

In specific I'd like to know at that size what is the largest size I can print a photo at and still have it look really great?

My account type is Power. At this account level could Smugmug print my photos for me?

Any help would be really appreciated.
Cindy

Comments

  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited September 2, 2009
    Check this link
    http://www.smugmug.com/help/print-quality

    Yes SmugMug prints for Powerful users too clap.gif
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  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited September 2, 2009
    camiller wrote:
    Hi. I need some help determining what size my photos can be printed at. Is there a general rule and if so where can I find it explained?

    My camera is a Canon Powershot SX10IS (point and shoot). I shoot most of my photos at the max size which is 3648 x 2736 at 10MP JPEG format. FYI most of them are taken on the macro setting if that matters.

    In specific I'd like to know at that size what is the largest size I can print a photo at and still have it look really great?

    My account type is Power. At this account level could Smugmug print my photos for me?

    Any help would be really appreciated.

    The smaller the print the more DPI that is used.....ok.....when digital first started we would diviode our pixela by 100 to see decent max size.....yours winds up being 36 x 27 inches.....is this truly realistic with a p/s cam.....at 10mp it is IF all technicalities are met with utmost care......perfect exposure (or at least near perfect)..............so if there is no noise then yeah it will get real close......but I would figure on more like 8x10 or 11x14 inches........
    Now I like big prints (30x40,20 x30, that kind of big) so what I do is in Photoshop I go into image and image size and chage the DPI from its native 72 to 300 to 420 getting as close to 8x10 inches as I can.....and I do all post processing EXCEPT for sharpening, and I always use unsharp mask for sharpening, then I open my trial version of Genuine Fractals and in one step make that file the print size I want it......and they get huge...then I go back to PS and unsharp mask and sharpen it to my preferences.........

    Genuine fractals has a trial version that allows approx 20 or so uprezes.....and it allows you to preview the uprez so you do not waste an uprez not liking it......so it only deducts when you save an uprez and unlike most trial versions it is a fully working copy.......a fully working copy.
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • camillercamiller Registered Users Posts: 202 Major grins
    edited September 2, 2009
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    Check this link
    http://www.smugmug.com/help/print-quality

    Yes SmugMug prints for Powerful users too clap.gif

    Thanks for the link. Great information there. I wonder how I missed it.
    Cindy
  • camillercamiller Registered Users Posts: 202 Major grins
    edited September 2, 2009
    Art Scott wrote:
    The smaller the print the more DPI that is used.....ok.....when digital first started we would diviode our pixela by 100 to see decent max size.....yours winds up being 36 x 27 inches.....is this truly realistic with a p/s cam.....at 10mp it is IF all technicalities are met with utmost care......perfect exposure (or at least near perfect)..............so if there is no noise then yeah it will get real close......but I would figure on more like 8x10 or 11x14 inches........
    Now I like big prints (30x40,20 x30, that kind of big) so what I do is in Photoshop I go into image and image size and chage the DPI from its native 72 to 300 to 420 getting as close to 8x10 inches as I can.....and I do all post processing EXCEPT for sharpening, and I always use unsharp mask for sharpening, then I open my trial version of Genuine Fractals and in one step make that file the print size I want it......and they get huge...then I go back to PS and unsharp mask and sharpen it to my preferences.........

    Genuine fractals has a trial version that allows approx 20 or so uprezes.....and it allows you to preview the uprez so you do not waste an uprez not liking it......so it only deducts when you save an uprez and unlike most trial versions it is a fully working copy.......a fully working copy.
    Thank you. A lot of really good helpful info. Thanks for explaining it to me.
    Cindy
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