 Irene Troy |
Sizes of quality images First, I’d like to share some really great news – I was asked to donate some images to a local charity auction. Because this is a cause close to my heart, I readily agreed and donated six 5X7 framed images. The event was last night and my images were auctioned for much more money than I would have ever expected and much more than I would consider them worth. Then the owner of a upscale gallery in another town approached me and asked if I’d be interested in participating in a show to be held this summer. All participants will be what he terms “up and coming new artists”. I’m amazed that he would want my work – and, no this is not false modesty, just honesty – because I still do not consider my work that great. But, of-course, I am thrilled! Now, to the reason for this post: until now, I considered myself a writer trying to add photographer to the mix. I’ve sold images, but only to accompany a piece that I researched and wrote. Now I need to figure out the whole printing and framing issue. Questions: (and I hope these are not too dumb!) is there a formula for figuring out how much you can blow up any digital image? I shoot with a Canon D5 at 12mps and almost always shoot in RAW mode. I’ve printed up to 11X17 with good results, but can I print larger and maintain quality? I’ve read that it can be difficult to enlarge a digital image without losing some quality, but do not know if this is true. I’ve also read that in order to produce anything larger than 11X17 you really need to be shooting medium format; however, I am not sure if this is true either. As you can tell, I have not done much of this type work and am now worrying about what I can actually produce. Anyway, any advice or input will be very welcome. Irene
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W. |
It's all relative, Irene. That 5D can keep you in business for a while. Nothing wrong with it. Plenty of MPs for blow-ups up to stadium size if neccessary. Of course provided you use the full resolution. Not considerably cropped versions. And maintain a reasonable viewing distance. Ever gotten out of your car and walked right up to a billboard along the expressway? See that 'resolution'? YOU can do that with your 5D too! Easily. Here's some recommended reading: Have fun!
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anonymous |
Irene First off - A BIG FAT CONGTRATULATIONS!!!! Secondly, I have taken a 350D 8.3mp camera with a stock lens, shooting on Large Fine jpeg and blown it up to a whopping 35 x 23 inch print - outstanding results!!!! I used Scott Kelby's 10% upsizing rule and it worked a charm.
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Irene Troy |
Thank you, W and Natalie for your input and great advice. I do understand the idea of not trying to blow up an image that has been really cropped - the loss of pixal image would result in a low resolution blow up. I will work on printing larger images over the next couple of days and see what comes out. I have Scott Kelby's PS-CS2 book and will look up the 10% rule. I will also read over the info by Pogue. Thanks again! Irene
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Who Me? |
Now that your done tooting your own horn. You can blow up a medium jpeg of 100iso to 20x30 and not loose any detail. Can you go bigger? I've never been asked to and I don't want to pay the lab cost to find out. Take it bright
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Raymond H. Kemp |
I too have had amazing results with large images. Altought most of my work appears in newspapers and magazines, I do shoot models for a few company catalogs. One day I walked into their office and proped up was a very large image I took of one of the models that was somewhere around 36 X 24 (don't remember). Anyhow I was stunned at the quality since back then the image was taken with a D100 at 6.2 mega pixels. Found out they had it done at Kinko's which I remember other pros commenting that Kinko's provides some of the best quality englargements in the business. Well I saw it for myself and I was impressed with the quality. Ray
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Irene Troy |
Ray – thank you for your input and ideas. BTW: I really like your gallery and the fire-fighter images. Do you do this as a photo-journalist or are you a fire-fighter yourself? I may just take your advice and see what Kinkos can do for me. What I’ve gotten from this thread is the idea that blowing images up is no where near as complicated as I feared. Thanks again. Irene
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Raymond H. Kemp |
Hey Irene - Thanks for the accolades! No, I now do this as a photojournalist, however in my past life I worked for nearly 20 years as a firefighter and paramedic. I'm now an "embedded" correspondent with a large EMS district here in Missouri, which is where the bulk of my work comes from although I do ride with several other EMS operations around the area as well. The bulk of my images are used in several publications out of California that publish magazines for EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement. I also string for the local newspapers in St. Louis as well. I'll be in Moab, Utah the first week in April doing an article and photo documentary for one of the EMS magazines out of California on the Grand County EMS and Search and Rescue. My assignment takes place during "Jeep Safari Week" which from what I'm told is a huge event and taxes the local EMS and police. I'll be embedded with the crews during my assignment but that should only last a few days so I'll have some time to get in the gorgeous landscape! Ray
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anonymous |
Derek - it is called a print strip! You get one printed before you ok the final product, to ensure the quality loss is minimal. I was amazed with my print strips to ordered my prints. 5 in total and sold them for a cost of $280 each!
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Who Me? |
I've never been asked to blow something up bigger than 20x30 so I never thought to ask about print strips.
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- Dr Silly Contact Dr Silly Dr Silly's Gallery |
Now ords of wisdom Irene. Just a way to go girl. With you photography. :O)
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Irene Troy |
Hey Dr. Silly! Haven't seen you on here for awhile. Thanks for the encouragement and the lack of "ords" doesn't trouble me -hee hee. Irene
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- Dr Silly Contact Dr Silly Dr Silly's Gallery |
Hahahaha, see I tolded you I didn't have any. LOL :O)
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