Photo enlargement - Pixal problems?

[ottor]

In preparing for a Photo contest, I'd like to present a 36X20 print on Aluminum ... I have a 12 MP camera - how much enlarging can something like this stand without losing a ton of sharpness?

Bay photo wants close to $100 for just a print - was going to see what it looked like on paper before I invested in Metal, but that's a lot just for a test run...

tks,

r

 

[ann]

what is the total size; divide by 300 for each side and that would be a recommendation.

You can increase the file size with other software,i would think that Bay photo could run a test at the desired magnification but use a small paper size in a critical area for you to see.

 

[SpeedTrap]

I regularly print 30 X 40 off 12 mp with no problem, be sure to sharpen a bit for larger prints and you should be fine.

 

[Big Mike]

You probably don't need 300 pixels per inch. That is the usual recommendation, but that makes for a very large file and you'll likely be happy with something like 240 or even 150 pixels per inch. I believe that MPIX will print files with as low as 100 PPI resolution.

Yes, you will loose quality as you interpolate the image to a larger size/resolution...but keep in mind that large prints are not meant to be viewed up close. A 36x20 print should be viewed from at least 3 or 4 feet away, and at that distance, the resolution (or lack thereof) probably won't be an issue.

When you up-size the image (in Photoshop) you want to choose the option of bi-cubic smoother (not bi-cubic sharper). You can then apply some sharpening after the resize, but don't get too carried away with it, as it may emphasize pixelization.

I have a 50X30 (albeit on Canvas) on my wall from my 8MP camera. With my nose up against it, I can see the lack of resolution, but with only one or two steps back, it looks spectacular (if I do say so myself )

 

[ottor]

Appreciate the help !! I forgot to mention that the size is currently 4247 x 2854 if that makes any diff...

 

[ann]

that's about 10x14 easy, a good printing company shouild be able to assist and mike makes a great point, viewing distance makes a huge difference

 

[KmH]

Appreciate the help !! I forgot to mention that the size is currently 4247 x 2854 if that makes any diff...

At 100 PPI that would print 42.47 inches by 28.54 inches.

Of more concern should be the difference in aspect ratio, since 4247 x 2854 is a different aspect ratio (1.64) than 36 x 20 (1.80), indicating you will have to crop the original, thus discarding pixels.

To print the long side 36 inches you would need to use 118 PPI (4247 px / 36 inches = 117.97). That would make the short side 2854 px / 118 PPI = 24.2 inches, not 20 inches.

The image quality of the original will determine if 118 PPI will suffice, more so than the pixel dimensions of the photo.

 

[Garbz]

My suggestion would be to upscale the image to meet that imaginary 300PPI rule. The reason is if the printing company doesn't touch it you may end up with pixels rather than just a lack of sharpness in the final print.

Actually come to think of it I've never printed something worth more than $25 where the printer hasn't requested the specific size of the print and also offered a colour proof. By that I mean they say give us the file at 250PPI resolution with the a specific colour space, and we'll print that file unaltered centred on a sheet of paper of this specific size.