Dumb Question, I'm sure.. :S

[Rosshole]

I burn cd's, or DVD's depending on the amount of images for friends and family.

 

[subscuck]

So heres a question. If I crop my image to aspect ratio 5:4 which is for 8x10 does that mean that if I put those pictures on a disc for someone and they decide they want to print out a 4x6 picture will the image be the same?

No, they're different aspect ratios. When it gets printed, it will get cropped on the bottom and one side. I suppose you could put two versions of each pic, one for 8x10 and one for 4x6, on the disc if you wanted to take the time.

 

[Carson38]

No, they're different aspect ratios. When it gets printed, it will get cropped on the bottom and one side. I suppose you could put two versions of each pic, one for 8x10 and one for 4x6, on the disc if you wanted to take the time.

So then what do you suggest? I can't predict what size photos people what to print off the disc I give them... I can make them all be 8x10s but what if they want 4x6?

 

[astroskeptic]

So heres a question. If I crop my image to aspect ratio 5:4 which is for 8x10 does that mean that if I put those pictures on a disc for someone and they decide they want to print out a 4x6 picture will the image be the same?

The image will *not* be the same of course. In general, if you plan to print, you should crop for the target aspect ratio. This may involve generating several version of each print, one for 4x6, one for 5x7, etc. This is the only way to prevent the need for further cropping at print time. Online print ordering applications, like Walmart's, will let you crop at order time but they don't force you to do it - they'll pick a default crop which you may not like.

Regarding how to get photos to people, if you have web space, a simple approach is to create a zip archive of your collection, upload it to the web location and email the recipient a link.

 

[astroskeptic]

So then what do you suggest? I can't predict what size photos people what to print off the disc I give them... I can make them all be 8x10s but what if they want 4x6?

The best you can do is simply advise them that the photos were cropped for a particular aspect ratio and that if they want to print otherwise, they need to crop at print time.

 

[subscuck]

So then what do you suggest? I can't predict what size photos people what to print off the disc I give them... I can make them all be 8x10s but what if they want 4x6?

Cropping is about more than just print size, it's also about composition. If I crop an image at 8x10, then use the original to do a crop at 4x6, there will be elements in one crop that wont be in the other image. For instance, if you do a portrait type crop at 8x10, you may not have a lot of headroom, may have negative space on the left, and an important element in the bottom of the frame, with your subject at frame right. To crop the 8x10 for print at 4x6, you would have to loose some or all of your negative space, thus centering your subject, and you would possibly loose your element, or some/most of it at the bottom of the frame.

The two ways around this would be:

1) You, as the photographer have decided on the print size by cropping with composition in my mind, and it will be printed that size. End of conversation.
Or

2) Do two crops of each image, one at 8x10 and one at 4x6. Compositionaly they will differ slightly, but you've given the recipient the option of printing the size they prefer.

I hope this makes sense, as I'm still on my first cup of coffee and my second cigarette.

 

[DaevidClarke]

if your photo 4:5, it wont be the same cropping for a 4x6. it will cut off 1/2 inch. its 4x6/8x12 and 4.5x6/8x10. at least if you take it to an imaging shop. there will be distortion if you try and fit a 4:5 photo to a 4x6 or 8x12 if you did it yourself.