Printing in 8×10

CF
Posted By
Cecil_Fuselier
Dec 30, 2006
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336
Replies
13
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Closed
I am embarrased to ask this question, but here goes. I shoot with a Canon 5D. I use a local print service and send my pictures electronically. I send as JPEG files prepared in CS2. I am given 3 options for print size, 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10. If I choose 4×6 the entire image will appear on the print. If I choose 5×7, some cropping occurs and the image is not printed in its entirety. Then if I choose 8×10, I definitely lose some of the image. I have changed the image size, canvas size, dpi, I have downsized the images in every way I know how to be able to get the entire image to print as 8×10. Gang, what stupid mistake or thing am I doing wrong? Any help will be appreciated. I will supply any additional information as you request.
Cecil
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JJ
John Joslin
Dec 30, 2006
If your images are supplied to the print service with an aspect ratio of 2:3 (ie they fit 4"x6") there’s no way that they will fit on 5"x7" or 8"x10" paper without cropping or leaving borders.
CF
Cecil_Fuselier
Dec 30, 2006
OK, John this is a start. Bear with me on being pretty naive with this. Do I change the AR or can I change it, or what do I to be able to get a full 8X10 print of the entire image? Thanks in advance.
Cecil
C
chrisjbirchall
Dec 30, 2006
what do I to be able to get a full 8X10 print of the entire image

You can’t. As John has already explained, a 4:3 ratio image simply won’t fit into a 5:4 ratio format without cropping or leaving borders. How could it!

You could, of course, uncheck "keep aspect ratio" in the resize dialogue, but that would distort your image!

Chris.
JJ
John Joslin
Dec 30, 2006
If you decide to crop the image to 10×8, just put these values in the Options Bar of the Crop tool.

When you drag the tool cursor across your image, the area inside the rectangle will be the correct ratio.
CF
Cecil_Fuselier
Dec 30, 2006
John, thanks…thats what I was experimenting with a few minutes ago. It does crop to 8X10 with loss of original image, but I guess that is expected. I tried it out and the 8×10 cropped image now shows in the preview as 8×10. I will now experiment with focal lengths, lenses etc to try to capture what is in my view finder. But this is great for now. I guess its ESP cause that is exactly what I was doing when I decided to check my email. Thanks again.
Cecil
T
Talker
Dec 30, 2006
On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 13:27:37 -0800,
wrote:

John, thanks…thats what I was experimenting with a few minutes ago. It does crop to 8X10 with loss of original image, but I guess that is expected. I tried it out and the 8×10 cropped image now shows in the preview as 8×10. I will now experiment with focal lengths, lenses etc to try to capture what is in my view finder. But this is great for now. I guess its ESP cause that is exactly what I was doing when I decided to check my email. Thanks again.
Cecil

I use online photo services from time to time, and what I find is the easiest for me, is to make the 8×10 photo and save it with the name of the picture with 8×10 added to the filename. Then using the crop tool, I set it to 5×7, and crop the original photo the way I want it cropped, and save that one with 5×7 added to the filename. I will then use the crop tool set to 4×6 and crop the original to that size and save it with 4×6 added to the filename. I always use the original picture when I crop. I will then upload the three different sizes to an online developer (or take it to a local developer).
When I view the uploaded pictures, I can see what size they are by the filename. If I decide to share the pictures with someone by using the online sharing feature of the developer, I tell them to order the size picture they want, using the size in the filename. This saves a lot of problems when people order a print, since they can see what it will look like before they order it, and they won’t be disappointed with a picture that’s been cropped by the developer.

Talker
JJ
John Joslin
Dec 30, 2006
Glad you got it!
DR
Donald_Reese
Dec 30, 2006
Cecil,not to confuse the issue any further, but you do realize your camera is most likely giving you something in the 8×12 range,no matter what focal length you choose. if you must have 8×10,doing as has been stated is your only choice. you could shoot a little loose in order to crop some, but then you waste pixels in the process.
CF
Cecil_Fuselier
Dec 31, 2006
I am now MUCH more comfortable with my ignorance. I have re-evaluated a lot of my (I think better) stuff and decided on a "can live with 8×10 crop" and still feel proud of the shot. I am actually cropping to 7×9 and then putting a very small stroke around the outside border. Then increasing my canvas by about 0.6 inches. This gives me a small canvas border for signature at the bottom and still stays within the 8×10 tolerance value for 8×10 printing. And you are correct, it seems that my shots with my 5D are 8×12. I am shooting in high resolution so the small crop that I am making to conform to the 8×10 does not seem to sacrifice much "printing quality" and I think I could still go larger than 8×10 (if that makes sense?". I sent one to the printer, just picked it up and it printed exactly as I had cropped for 8×10 with the small canvas border in the print. See what I learned today….and who says the web is just a play thing…I am putting my stuff up at www.betterphotos.com/?cec and would appreciate honest critiques if anyone has the time to check it out.
Thanks again, I appreciate the postive suggestions and learning experience. Cecil
Cecil
Cecil
GA
George_Austin
Dec 31, 2006
"You could, of course, uncheck "keep aspect ratio" in the resize dialogue, but that would distort your image!"

Yes, but distorting the image a little, even going from 4X6 to 8×10, is not noticeable for most purposes. Distorting is not something to be avoided at all costs. You can always try it and reject it if the result doesn’t ring true. As Chris said, go to Image size, enter the width and height, uncheck "constrain proportions", and, optionally, leave Resolution blank. All of the original image will be retained within the new dimensions. And again, yes, it will be distorted but quite tolerably if not unnoticeably—you be the judge.
JJ
John Joslin
Dec 31, 2006
That’s quite a mixed bunch up there. Hard to offer critiques on so many varied pictures!

There is a bunch of photographers in the Photography forum here:

<http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?14@@.3bb41392>

who love to comment.
CF
Cecil_Fuselier
Dec 31, 2006
Thanks George (et al). I tried the minor distortion by unchecking "constrain distortions" and yes you are correct, some I cannot tell the difference. In fact there are a couple (portraits) where there is a "slight slimming effect" associated with the results which I think is a bit attractive. Thanks all, I think I have resolved my problem. And I didnt intend to ask for a comment on all the stuff, just to point out that I had tried it on many of the pics and it worked. Was not looking for a laborious review, but thanks for looking.
Cecil
D
deebs
Dec 31, 2006
Is there a ratio setting on the camera you are using?

Think ratios!

So for example

Ratio 2:3
means 4" by 6", 6" by 9", 8" by 12", 10" by 15" …

Ratio 3:4
6" by 8", 9" by 12" (almost an 8 by 12 but with totally different results when ratios are constrained), …

If the camera image output ratios do not offer different choices try to shoot the image with an allowable border (it can be done given sufficient practice and experience).

maybe it would be sweeter still if camera manufacturers allowed an option to "see" ratio bounding boxes in viewfinders?

Give Canon a call/email and send it to them as a suggestion?

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