confused about image size/resolution
TerryP
Registered Users Posts: 81 Big grins
I've read quite a bit about resolution on this site and others. Here's my confusion:
When I upload I will assume I have to upload at least enough pixel size to allow a print to be made at a certain size. For example (and it's only an example), if I intend to sell a print at 20 x 30 the image has to be at least 2000 x 3000, right? OR, do I have to shoot for at least 250 dpi? That's a big file.
Also, wouldn't that slow down viewing? I changed from doing that to 800 x 600 and they load much faster for my guests. My imagination? Does it matter for viewing purposes what the original file size was once processed by smugmug?
Regardless, I can never sell an 800 x 600 in a 20 x 30 print size. But the viewer wouldn't know what print sizes the image is contrained to. Hence, my confusion. Yikes! :scratch
What is the recommendation for standard uploaded image size with the intention to sell? I'm all over the map on this one and I want to standardize.
Thanks!
Terry
terrypytlarz.smugmug.com
When I upload I will assume I have to upload at least enough pixel size to allow a print to be made at a certain size. For example (and it's only an example), if I intend to sell a print at 20 x 30 the image has to be at least 2000 x 3000, right? OR, do I have to shoot for at least 250 dpi? That's a big file.
Also, wouldn't that slow down viewing? I changed from doing that to 800 x 600 and they load much faster for my guests. My imagination? Does it matter for viewing purposes what the original file size was once processed by smugmug?
Regardless, I can never sell an 800 x 600 in a 20 x 30 print size. But the viewer wouldn't know what print sizes the image is contrained to. Hence, my confusion. Yikes! :scratch
What is the recommendation for standard uploaded image size with the intention to sell? I'm all over the map on this one and I want to standardize.
Thanks!
Terry
terrypytlarz.smugmug.com
0
Comments
There has been a lot of threads about the DPI settings, and upload settings etc, you can do a search for it if you like. The short version is, it does not matter at all what the DPI is set to.
We recommend uploading in max resolution as along as you meet the requirements (http://www.smugmug.com/help/upload-photos)
For printing, counterintuitively (spelling?) the DPI can actually be lower for large prints. They just have to meet our minimum resolutions: http://www.smugmug.com/help/print-quality#minprintres
I hope this helps, let us know if you have any questions!
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
I don't speak for SmugMug but I do have an extensive background in large format digital printing. Hopefully this helps and doesn't make you more confused..<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif" border="0" alt="" >
Larger prints are designed to have a longer viewing distance. Hence they can use a lower dpi and get the same result as a close up shot at a high dpi
i.e. A billboard can be printed all the way down to 10dpi and still look good from the highway since the viewing distance is so far.
Don't confuse this w/ high end large format digital printing (large prints at a Cartier jewelery botique for example). Even though these prints are huge, the viewing distance is still going to be very close (<12"). So a high dpi is required (600+dpi mimimum for their prints).
This all being said, viewing distance for most of your prints will most likely have a viewing diatance of <12". So even if you print a poster sized print, you still want to have a decent dpi %.
The link Ivar gave to you should help explain this as well.
Hope this helps. It's the least I can do to try and help since the SmugMug Gurus have already helped me out more than you can imagine!<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/clap.gif" border="0" alt="" >
I want to be able to allow my customers to print all or most of my photos at the full gamut of print sizes smugmug offers, so I think what I've pieced together is something like this:
- There is a single Pixel X Pixel size I can upload that will ensure my photos are available for every print size.What is the maximum pixel size? What X what?
I've read the smugmug info on Uploading, Resoultuion, and DPI, but this has been confusing to me, too.Any suggestions you can offer will be appreciated. BTW, I'm using an Epson Perfection V750 Pro scanner and Adobe Elements 5.0 to scan 40,000 35 mm negatives (both color and B&W), so a good understanding of how this issue will help me iron out my workflow.
Thanks,
Scott
Scan Cafe: let the pros do it
(SM gurus feel free to step in if needed)
While there is a dpi limitation on shots posted to SM. It's the other size limitations that will stop you from uploading gargantuan files before dpi comes into play.
The current size limitations on all file types are:
- 8 megabytes for standard and power users
- 16 for pros
- 48 megapixels for all users
and that's it. Now while megapixels are directly related to dpi. If you are shooting something so big (or detailed) that it's getting close to the 48 megapixel range. Your the one that's going to be taking me to school on this topic...I think you got the 302 dpi from a little blurb that SM was bragging on their printers (w/ a track record like they seem to have. I'd be pretty happy w/ them too) this really shouldn't effect you at all. I'd just send in the highest possible resolution shot, staying withing the upload guidelines and you should be golden.
I think your nuking this one. Just upload your shots at 300dpi (any higher is a total waste IMO {even 300 is to high for most all applications}) and you will never have any problems. Again, if you are at the point of needing prints that need a higher dpi than this. You'll be well past this stage of Q&A on a dgrin forum.
NOTE: Not sure of the math on the 35mm slide scaned to 300dpi. But do yourself a favor and scan a few files. Determine the average files size of your scans, crunch the numbers to work out what you need for hard drive space. And buy a hard drive that has DOUBLE that space. Then you should really think about a backup drive for the drive you just bought. I know this seems like the money is just pouring out about this time.
Do you really want to invest however many man hours scanning 20k negatives then have a hard drive go poof for no reason? Electronics are man made, and man is proned to screw things up. Save yourself the pain and frustration and back up all this work....
With numbers like that, you have economies of scale on your side! Unless your getting paid to do this (In which case I recommend your local library for some crash courses) I would see how much it costs to get all these done for you. The price per scan at those numbers has to be super cheap. Let some lab weenie (no offence) worry about scanning this for you.
Alas, it is easier to spend your money than mine eh?
Just my .02
Hope this proved informative....
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