white borders on prints - DPChallenge Forums

Lensbaby 1.0 (The Original)

09/24/2004 04:56:19 PM · #1

how can you resize to avoid them??

My batch of shots I sent off half came back with white borders half did not. I was sure I did the same thing with all of them-- unchecked 'constrain proportions' and put in 8in X 10 in a few shots when try to do this were VERY distorted. And put dpi as 350. Help what am I doing wrong??

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

09/24/2004 05:26:24 PM · #2

It's the resizing....there's no way [that I'm aware of] to make digital prints over 4x6 without cropping - you're gonna get the border if you don't crop. The border just stands for the fact the photo was the wrong proportion.

How they explained it to me at Black's is that most digicameras originate in Asia where NO ONE prints..they all view on TV's so the dimensions are made for TV screens - not for printing.

Except 4x6 which is what it is..no cropping necessary.

To get an accurate 8x10, for instance, print it 8x12 and then crop the bottom [or top, or a bit of both] yourself [using those old fashioned sharp sticks we call scissors] to get an 8x10.

Or if you use one of the new 1hour digital print machines [like at Superstore in Canada] you use arrows on the screen to place the 8x10 frame over the photo so you know what you'll get.

Make sense?

Message edited by author 2004-09-24 17:28:50.

alanbataar

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

09/24/2004 05:34:28 PM · #3

The easiest way to accomplish quick and accurate cropping is to use the dimension and resolution fields associated with the cropping tool in Photoshop. Older versions have it in different places, but version 6 has them in the control bar at the top of the screen just below the menus. It's really a powerful tool -- when you enter the proportions, the crop tool marquee will constrain to that proportion, and when you crop and/or rotate to your satisfaction, the image will be resampled to the resolution you specified.

09/24/2004 05:35:08 PM · #4

hmm yes makes sense, tho seems hard to believe, so
1. then it is considered 'acceptable' this white border?
2. there is no way to resize in such a way that it fits that paper?? (without using scissors anyway)

09/24/2004 05:39:53 PM · #5

sso alan
if I use the crop tool and put in for example 8 x 10 350 dpi when I print an 8x10 it will fill the paper accurately?

Message edited by author 2004-09-24 17:40:10.

dwoolridge

09/24/2004 06:10:32 PM · #6

It really depends on the device on which your images are being printed. Your photo lab can give an accurate answer (or did you get them through dpcprints?). Many labs resample the image so the final print is larger than the desired print size. The paper is then trimmed to the final print size. Assuming your image aspect ratio matches the print size aspect ratio, a white border (bad trim job) is unusual (unless you asked for it).

This resizing of your image results in some image edge loss, so if complete image fidelity is important to you, there are some labs that will accommodate you (and you'll pay more for it too). Alternatively, create a white border around your print such that it fits the next size up. Yes, you're paying for a larger print size, but you'll have the image in its entirety, not to mention a nice border for mounting.

If you don't make your own mats or buy them precut accurately, you'll find most mats are quite a bit smaller than print sizes (since most consumer frames/mats assume there's no mount border).

Goldberry: Don't believe everything you hear from someone at Black's.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

09/24/2004 06:15:42 PM · #7

the lab was able to resize for me, but i do not want them to alter my shots in a way that I would be unpleased with I want to learn how to do it so that they get the right size image to start with.
and the aspect ratio is acheived by my sizing it ie. 8x 10 unconstrain proportion.

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

09/24/2004 06:19:21 PM · #8

For cropping I use the Rectangular Marque tool in Photoshop 7. I then select the style in the toolbar to be "Fixed Aspect Ratio" and select with width and height accordingly - 10 and 8, for example. Then I just select the bit of the image I want, and go to Image-Crop.

dwoolridge

09/24/2004 06:22:08 PM · #9

1. walk to your lab
2. bring coffee/tea and donuts
3. begin discussion on how they can help you meet your goals
4. walk home happy and satisfied