Printing pictures

[HaMeR]

We have a printer here that is not too good for printing nice glossy pics for framing. Diane tried sending them online to have them printed & while the quality wasn't too bad they just didn't quite measure up to what we would see on the screen. So I decided last week to send one off thru PhotoBucket. WOW!!!!!! That 8x10 came back over the top nice!! I sent this pic in & for $4.13 I got it back & put it in a frame. Amazing picture on  Fuji Color Crystal Archive paper.

[Hawks Feather]

Glen,

Nice image there and I can fully understand why Diane would like to have it printed and framed. 

I have gotten some decent prints made at Meijer stores, but if I really want better quality I have gone to Adorama: http://www.adoramapix.com/app/home    I have a couple of smaller prints made on their Metalic paper and like it.  While I have never had any of my images printed at Costco I have seen some and they seem to be on par with Adorama.  Since I am not a Costco member I don't think I will be having any of my images printed there.  I tried SnapFish once and got terrible prints.  I complained and they asked if I had uploaded high resolution images and since they were 1.2 MG I said, "yes".  They then sent back and said that they didn't mean the image resolution, but if I had checked it on their site.  I checked that and they reprinted them and they looked as good as any other small prints.

Jerry

[FinsnFur]

Very interesting. I didnt realize it was that cheap to have them printed.
I've heard of people going to Walmart and feeding the machine their memory card to get prints but never looked into it.

I got several pics I've saved thinking I want them printed.

[HaMeR]

I don't know much about picture printing or taking really so thought I would share this good experience. I can see where the camera, subject & operator would all be responsible for a great picture tho. Altho i did take that above picture I'm sure there was a lot of luck on my side. As well as a little coaching.  I am interested later on in finding out if there are discounts for multiple pictures.

Get them done Jim. What I really like about the PB prints is how easy it it to have them done. I was already in PB loading pics in & thought WTH. I'll be their Huckleberry. 

[Dave]

I have used Costco, and they are inexpensive ($1.49 for an 8X10, and 4x6's are .13 cents ea).  However, what you get back is an image that is not quite what you sent in with respect to sizing.  All the edges are cut out of the print, almost like you cropped about 5% off of the original.  They will take back and return your $ if you are not 100% satisfied, but it's disappointing when you get the order back and you're missing part of the pic.

[FinsnFur]

Like they are blowing it up Dave.
Interesting to know

[Hawks Feather]

However, what you get back is an image that is not quite what you sent in with respect to sizing.  All the edges are cut out of the print, almost like you cropped about 5% off of the original. 

This is not unique to any processing place and will happen at all of them.  It is caused by the size of the image that is made by the camera.  When shooting negative film or digital, the exposed size is roughly 24mm x 36mm - basically a 2 x 3 ratio.  (I didn't take the time to look up how this size started being used, but it was probably a European thing since they used mm.  Back on topic.)  When prints start being processed the problems start.  If you start playing with the math a full frame print from a 35mm negative does not fit on our standard prints.  When you increase the size of the view in the image or negative, the size that you get for a full frame is 4 x 6 inches (the reason the 3.5 x 4 prints were dropped), 6 x 9 inches, 8 x 12 inches, etc.  When you take a negative or digital image in for process to have an 8 x 10 made you are going to lose 2 inches on the long side of the print.  Normally you can ask for enlargements to be printed full frame or full image, which in the case of an 8 x 10 piece of paper, you will get a picture that us just under 7 inches wide  x 10 inches long (white border on the narrow sides of the picture).

If you have a camera that allows for a replaceable view screen you can put in one with a grid that will allow you to "see" where the cut off is for a 10 inch print.  Since many people don't have that advantage the only thing that you can do is leave extra space at the ends of the long side of the picture when you take it.  This way, when the ends are cut off, you will still have a full image.  The problem with this is that when you get the "normal" 4 x 6 inch prints made you will have extra dead space on the ends of the 6 inch sides.

Jerry

[Dave]

Ok.  I thought it was just Costco. 
Good info to know for the future - thanks

[FinsnFur]

Jerry took the words right out of my mouth 

[Hawks Feather]

Jerry took the words right out of my mouth 

Yep, I knew you were going to post an explanation as soon as you got finished adding new FnF members.  That is the reason that I went as fast as I could to get the explanation posted. 

Jerry

[FinsnFur]

LOL