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06/19/2006 08:33:07 PM · #1 |
When I was ordering photographs for my portfolio last night, I noticed a problem. Each photo I had framed how I like it, but the aspect ratio wasn't right for all prints.
I am pretty good (and have a habit of) framing things how I want them and don't crop much. However, not having extra room for the different aspect ratios of prints is a problem.
So what do I do? It seems like if I leave extra room around my subject for crops, the pictures won't look as attractive to buyers/customers.
I hope this makes sense..LOL
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06/19/2006 08:35:52 PM · #2 |
It's a common problem. Rather than let the printers choose the crop, I usually make copies of the images for the aspect ratios I need to get printed.
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06/19/2006 08:40:09 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
It's a common problem. Rather than let the printers choose the crop, I usually make copies of the images for the aspect ratios I need to get printed. |
All my ordering is going to be done through SmugMug, so at least i am responsible for adjusting the placement of the crop.
Do you think it is necessary to write up a little 'how to' to give to customers for when their prints are ready for them to order?
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06/19/2006 08:43:33 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by JRalston:
Do you think it is necessary to write up a little 'how to' to give to customers for when their prints are ready for them to order? |
If you are allowing them to order thier own prints online,doing a writeup can't be a bad idea. I haven't really ventured into letting customers order thier own prints much, so I'm not sure.
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06/19/2006 08:45:31 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by JRalston:
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
It's a common problem. Rather than let the printers choose the crop, I usually make copies of the images for the aspect ratios I need to get printed. |
All my ordering is going to be done through SmugMug, so at least i am responsible for adjusting the placement of the crop.
Do you think it is necessary to write up a little 'how to' to give to customers for when their prints are ready for them to order? |
I often tell my immediate customers (the bride/groom and their immediate families) that I'll give them a discount if they order direct from me. This gives me a chance to look at what they want printed and adjust the cropping appropriately. I may even re-edit the image based on what they want. But at least I'm sure of what they are getting (no chopped off heads - which *has* happened by a customer that didn't adjust the crop).
Still, I run the risk of havig someone purchase an 8x10 of an image that just has to be a 2:3 ratio. I expect an "oops" every now and then. But making the images available to anyone that wants to purchase (without all sales going thru me) means some extra $$$ here and there and that really helps out.
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06/19/2006 08:45:45 PM · #6 |
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06/19/2006 08:52:00 PM · #7 |
That is a great, simple, tutorial for customers. Maybe I'll email him to see if I can copy his tutorial. Great link.
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06/19/2006 08:54:39 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by dwterry:
I often tell my immediate customers (the bride/groom and their immediate families) that I'll give them a discount if they order direct from me. This gives me a chance to look at what they want printed and adjust the cropping appropriately.
I expect an "oops" every now and then. But making the images available to anyone that wants to purchase (without all sales going thru me) means some extra $$$ here and there and that really helps out. |
Yeah, I like the idea of the purchase being handled by SmugMug....but I am also leaving the customer satisfaction in the hands of SmugMug and user error. How much of a discount do you give them if they order through you? It seems like if I give them a discount, I would make less profit and have more work.
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06/19/2006 08:57:52 PM · #9 |
| I usually work with cd's and make a copy of each size. That way I do the crop and don't have to worry about the wrong crop being applied by the lab. You could do that for web orders also. Label them with their printed size and let the customers pick the one's they want. It doesn't take much extra time. Just crop and "save as" after you pp the picture. Do the most common sizes. So crop, save as, undo, crop, save as, undo...etc...till you have the all sizes you want. |
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06/19/2006 08:58:29 PM · #10 |
| It's best to leave extra room on the long ends. If you have a photo perfectly framed in camera, for popular sizes like 8x10 and 11x14 you'll loose a bit off the long ends. It's better to have some extra room to crop, than have a photo cut through somebody's forehead to fit a different size. And don't forget that when people put the photos in frames they get another 1/4 to 3/8 (or more) inch instantly chopped off all the sides of the photo (hidden behind the frame). |
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06/19/2006 09:23:48 PM · #11 |
I have them order thru me no matter what. More work, yes. More money to a point( smug mug charges 18%? ) but i want the contact with the customer. One, i have no clue what goes in that customer's box - very likley smugmug's name, perhaps a visa application, certainly a third party get your customers info for markting... Also, If the customer calls up with a problem, like 'the color looks off' and i never saw the print, well, what can i do? It's my customer that's unhappy. It's my reputation and future sales at stake....I want the control from beginning to end.
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