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- Jill Odice

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E Book Images?


 
  E Reader image
E Reader image

Jill Odice

 
 
I was approached about using one of my images in an E-Reader for Special Needs children. My question is what size file is needed for an E Reader? He asked for an image of 3000x2000, which seems big to me. I don't mind them using the image online but do not want them to be able to make prints. What DPI and dimensions should I send them? Also what is the typical charge for somebody to use an image one time?


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October 03, 2013

 

Richard Lynch
  That is an interesting concern. 3000x2000 is a high-resolution print-possible size of at least 10x6.6. With home printers it is really closer to 15x10. A typical video device will not be much about 120 dpi, and that means it would display this image at about 25x16.7.

I think it is sorta large for any type of hand-held device, even with near-future considerations for changes in technology.

Have they offered you a contract? That should explain their future concerns, and why they might ask for an image so large.

The "typical charge" for an image can vary widely. A shot in demand can grab quite a lot. A shot that casually meets a design need, not so much. My perspective might be "why not be happy with a one-time sale" and add it to your experience and resume? Of course with the caveat that you clarify the resolution needs.

Hope that helps.


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October 05, 2013

 
- Jill Odice

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  Thanks for your response Richard. My dilemma is that I do not know what size to offer him that will work for an E Reader, but not be large enough to print. This is one of my most popular images , Betterphoto used it for their Christmas card last year :-)
I am happy to help out a small company that is working towards educating special needs kids, but I do not know them and they are only offering me $20 which is way less then I charge for a large print...This book is to download onto a reader, not to print so I don't get why he wants such a large size...


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October 05, 2013

 

Richard Lynch
  I understand the dilemma. I just don't know much specifically about readers. I've got a good idea about the resolution. Let's just substitute an example...

A Skiff reader (described as a high-resolution reader) is 11.5 inches (that should be on the diagonal if they give only one dimension). It "supports" a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200. That would size up to a resolution a little over 170 ppi -- quite high for a video device. You see right there that the 3000x2000 is nearly double what you need for full-screen viewing.

Reading devices also tend to have a vertical orientation, so an image could be only 1200 pixels for a full-width view. That would suggest a maximum need of 1200x800 for an image of landscape orientation. That is currently about the size I use for shared images on the web. These would probably print at 6x4 on a home printer.

There is really nothing you can do to stop that sort of small print thievery, unless you want to keep your images off the web and out of readers. At the same time, readers are meant as a replacement of sorts for print, so your image being distributed via a reader seems like a relatively safe avenue. If you are worried what the publisher might be doing with your photo, I am guessing that if they were honest enough to contact you, they would likely not be looking to do a print run.

Looking at the example numbers, I think you are right and they really only need the 1200x800 size. On the other hand, $20 is not a lot to walk away from. I'd offer the 1200x800 size, and make sure you get a byline, or move on. Sometimes you have to turn things down. For example, I was offered the contract for The Photoshop Bible when Deke McClelland decided against re-writing it, and ended up turning down that rather prestigious title because I could not come to terms on contract wording with the publisher (which was clearly anti-author).

Good luck!

Richard


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October 06, 2013

 
- Ken Smith

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  Richard, it's nice to have you back on BP!!


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October 06, 2013

 
- Jill Odice

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  Thanks so much Richard! I was pretty much thinking the same thing as far as size. I figure when I post images on my own website they are usually 1200 x 800, even here at BP they are 800 x 600 which is kind of small, but on my Kindle, is big enough ...Nice to "Meet you" here, love your work!


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October 06, 2013

 

Richard Lynch
  Ken, I'm glad to be back! I missed the BP community.

Jill, I'm glad if it helped. Thanks for the compliment. Glad to meet you too, and hope to meet a lot more people (again and for the first time) here on the forum!

Richard


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October 06, 2013

 
- Jill Odice

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  I did sell them the image at 1200 x 800 with credit on the image and also credit on the credit page of the book. Once it's published I will place a link on my website to it on my "Magazine Covers & Published Images" gallery :-)


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October 06, 2013

 

Richard Lynch
  Good for you! Nice to hear and thanks for the follow-up.


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October 07, 2013

 
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