how to figure out print size

pmaxwell

I have a photo of the GG bridge that I kind of like.

http://maxwell.smugmug.com/2011/San-Francisco/16872265_FtDN5p#1295388244_86WB7qw-X2-LB


I have a couple of questions, that I would like some input on.
How big of a print can I get before the noise in the sky starts to show (and how do you figure that out)?
The tower on the hill towards the right side of the picture, should I keep it or PS it out? I fear it will be distracting on a larget print.

Feel free to comment or critique as I am a new enthusiast and want to learn.

Thanks,
Pete

ziggy53

pmaxwell wrote: »

...
How big of a print can I get before the noise in the sky starts to show (and how do you figure that out)?
The tower on the hill towards the right side of the picture, should I keep it or PS it out? I fear it will be distracting on a larget print. ...

Random sensor noise and high-ISO noise, also long exposure noise, can be measured and quantified, but your individual threshold to noise tolerance is impossible to quantify. You can always crop out a portion of the sky and do a smaller test print which will demonstrate the amount of noise you can expect from the larger, full frame print.

Part of the consideration is print size and viewing distance. If you want nose-to-the-print scrutiny that requires more careful attention than a print with limited access, say, a print mounted behind a couch.

It appears that you used ISO 100 to capture the image. If you also used long exposure noise reduction then I would not expect much native visible noise or grain unless the image was originally underexposed or if it required a lot of sharpening or contrast enhancement. Noise reduction software can certainly help, especially if you also use layers and masking technique to allow better control of the noise reduction application.

At any rate, a crop and small test print will fairly well tell you what you want to know.

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Editing a photograph for content will depend upon your goals for the photograph.

If you intend for the photograph to be a photojournalistic representation then any editing, beyond cropping and basic color balance, is generally not allowed. Sometimes cropping is not even allowed.

If this is intended to be an artistic rendering, pretty much anything goes and it is your "vision" and intent as the artist which directs your actions.

Both are perfectly legitimate forms of photography and image treatment.

pmaxwell

Thanks Ziggy, I'll try the crop print as a test. I'm merely looking for a piece to hang in my office and enjoy. I'm not familiar with "long exposure noise reduction", can you elaborate?

On the tower, since it is not a photojournalistic piece for me, I'm simply looking for peoples aesthetic opinion of that tower. On a smaller print, I don't think it is a distraction, but I worry that it might be a visual distraction to the bridge in a larger print.

Thanks again for the input.

Pete

pmaxwell

I printed a 12X18 over the weekend at Costco. I had downloaded their printer profiles and checked the picture (I have a calibrated monitor) prior to ordering. It came out overly dark and awful.

On Sunday I decided to let Smugmug do the printing after checking their profiles too. Just got it today. EXCELLENT!!

I think it could easily go with a 20x30 or maybe even larger. I know it is a pedestrian shot, but I like it and I'm new to photography so I think it will get a big print and frame for my office wall