cropping and image quality

[echoyjeff222]

Hi all,

I'm working on a photo that I will eventually print. I'm using a canon 6D and shot in raw. I'm cropping this photo quite a bit from its original size (in lightroom the original says 5472 x 3648 and the cropped one is 2070 x 3105). Should I be worried about quality if I'm printing (or in general)? Thanks.

 

[snowbear]

How big are you going to print?

 

[echoyjeff222]

How big are you going to print?

8x10

 

[Tabe]

Your print will be greater than 250dpi in 8x10. You'll be just fine.

 

[KmH]

2070 x 3105 pixels

3105 pixels / 10 inches = 310.5 ppi (pixels per inch)
2070 pixels / 8 inches = only 258.75 ppi
The ppi has to be equal.

That the ppi is not equal indicates the aspect ratio of your crop is a different aspect ratio from an 8x10.
10" / 8" = 1.25 (5:4 aspect ratio)
3105 px / 2070 px = 1.5 (3:2 aspect ratio which is likely the aspect ratio of the image sensor in your camera.)
Your photo with no additional crop would print as an 8x12.
3105 px/ 12" = 258.75 ppi....... 2070 px / 8" = 258.75 ppi ... equal ppi.

To print your photo as an 8x10 you're going to have to crop even more from the photo.
How much more?
2070 px x 1.25 aspect ratio = 2587.5 px
3105 - 2587 = 518 more pixels need to be cropped off the long side.

258 ppi is plenty for an 8x10 or an 8x12.

 

[table1349]

The better editing software will have the ability to either A. have predetermined ratios to choose from, ie. 8X10, 5X7, 4X6 etc. or B. it will allow you to set specific ratios or C. Both. Either way the ratio stays the same as you crop the image.