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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> An Embarrassing Question....
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 12/17/2004 01:00:13 PM · #1
Here is a pretty basic question that I am somewhat embarrassed to ask. But here it goes. Forgive me if it has been answered before.

Say I want to get a 5x7 printed at Shutterfly, Wal-mart, etc. Which method would yield a better print?

1) Just upload the full size image, and use their online tools.

OR

2) Use the crop tool in Photoshop to resize to 5" x 7" at 300dpi using bicubic smooth, USM, then upload the resized image.

That leads to a second question. Which of the above methods works best for home printing? Just letting the printing software do its thing, or step 2?

An answer was given here:

//epaperpress.com/psphoto/expResizing.html

But I was wanting second opinions.

Thanks,
Chad
 12/17/2004 01:15:36 PM · #2
For walmart et al DO NOT so USM. If you do, do VERY LITTLE. It is not needed and can make the pic seem off.

I gave up printing at home. I use walmart - cheaper (and better) in my opinion. And jsut about as fast - 1 hour. And they never run out of ink;)

I experiemented with full size files and measly little jpg. I tried blowing up a 1mb image to 8x10 and well, it all looks OK to me. Pushing the envelope will not give you saleable prints of course, but still better than 90% of the snapshooters out there.

i ave used PS 7 and the walmart online bit - tried some cropping and sepia toning. If you are used to PS you will do better, but take more time. For some images that is well worth it. For the snaps of your son's christmas play for the family photo album, the online editors should be fine.

It is cool to get b&w, sepia and selectively colored pics back at walmar though.

My next brave step is to have my work done at 5x7 and 8x10...
 12/17/2004 01:19:08 PM · #3
Hi - I resize in my imaging editor (I'm a Paint Shop Pro 8 user). 5x7, 300 dpi or whatever, USM, etc., etc. I've experimented with all kinds of printing processes. I'm not thrilled printing photos myself. A friend who has me take a photo of her baby monthly wanted her photos on professional quality paper, not the glossy paper from Walgreens and the other chainstores. I discovered mpix.com and have not been disappointed! You will definitely receive a high quality print, thicker, matte finish(with that professional texture) and several other options such as luster coating to prevent fingerprints. Lots of sizes are available also. I am partial to 4 x 5s and 5 x 5s instead of 4 x6s. The cost is extremely reasonable as you will see. The shipping fee (for anything) is $4.95 so make it well worth your while when you order your prints. Check out the web site. I love it!

Message edited by author 2004-12-17 13:30:02.
 12/17/2004 01:20:58 PM · #4
PS - loved your Low Tech (scored a 10!)
 12/17/2004 01:35:39 PM · #5
Thanks for the quick replies and the 10 :-)

Chad
 12/17/2004 01:46:27 PM · #6
I print out my pictures at Wal-Mart a lot. I leave them full size but save them in the tiff format after editing the pictures. I experimented with printing pictures from jpeg, tiff and bmp and the tiffs have the best color and sharpness.

I printed out many 8 x 10 and 5 x 7 pictures of a wedding I photographed at Wal Mart and they turned out beautifully. I would crop the picture to an aspect ratio the same as 8x10 or 5 x7 before editing and then when finished editing save as a tiff. You do not need to resize smaller, in fact you will lose detail this way.

Message edited by author 2004-12-17 15:00:22.
 12/17/2004 02:46:10 PM · #7
I don't have a Walmart nearby :(
 12/17/2004 03:19:11 PM · #8
Originally posted by cpurser:
Here is a pretty basic question that I am somewhat embarrassed to ask. But here it goes. Forgive me if it has been answered before.


Chad, Your question is not embarassing in the least. It is basic to the whole issue of printing. That issue is whether or not you want to print standard sizes or not.

The issue really is whether you are willing to custom print pictures to meet their actual aspect or not. And that issue boils down to cost.

If cost is not an issue then custom frame them. If cost is an issue then crop your images to standard sizes.

For the most part I suspect you will probably chose to crop images to standard sizes for printing. Nothing wrong with that. All that means is that you are aware and mindful of that when you take the originals in the first place.
 12/17/2004 03:27:42 PM · #9
I have printed out pictures at Wal-mart, CVS Drug Store, and WolfCamera. Surprisingly CVS photo department rendered the best quality and WolfCamera, a close 2nd. Both places charge around 29 cents for a 4x6 print and $6.99 for an 8x10. As mentioned above donĂ¢€™t use too much UMC and make sure you photo has good lighting. If the photo is lacking in lighting and you want the best results I would use Wolfcamera, they come out better. All pictures I have printed out has been in high quality JPEG.
EDIT: I had 25 pictures printed [4x6] yesterday at CVS for my son's school and they all came out good and only paid $6.00 for 25 prints [borderless]. When you purchase so many you get a discount.

Message edited by author 2004-12-17 15:30:53.
 12/17/2004 03:29:17 PM · #10
Thanks, but my question is not about the aspect ratio, it is about the different methods of reducing the size of the picture for printing. Basically, should I reduce the picture size myself by increasing the dpi, or should I let the printing service do it.

Chad
 12/17/2004 03:33:30 PM · #11
Originally posted by cpurser:
Thanks, but my question is not about the aspect ratio, it is about the different methods of reducing the size of the picture for printing. Basically, should I reduce the picture size myself by increasing the dpi, or should I let the printing service do it.

Chad


I find the best way to do the aspect ratio is in PS under the crop feature. I use PS7, I put in the size I want and leave the resolution blank. That way when I crop it tells me what dpi it will be printed at giving me a good idea of the quality I may get. BTW I use 1.25:1 ratio.
 12/17/2004 03:40:33 PM · #12
Originally posted by cpurser:
Thanks, but my question is not about the aspect ratio, it is about the different methods of reducing the size of the picture for printing. Basically, should I reduce the picture size myself by increasing the dpi, or should I let the printing service do it.

Chad


Do it yourself. The crop that you submit for printing should be the one you get back. If you let them do it. They may crop out an element you wanted to keep.
 12/20/2004 11:53:27 AM · #13
$6.99 for an 8 x 10 is very expensive (at least I think it is). Mpix.com can print 8 x 10s on Kodak Professional Portra Endura paper for $1.99 and on metallic and True Black & White paper for $2.49 each. Again, shipping charges are $4.95, but if you have several or a bunch to print, that to me seems worth it for the quality you receive. If you go to the website Mpix.com, you can request samples of the papers. They are excellent! My prints usually arrive within 2-4 days.
 12/20/2004 11:58:57 AM · #14
Why aren't you mentioning DPCprints.com ? I mean you members are already paying for it, and it's prices are very competitive for the most part!
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