Printing photo and cropping

[echoyjeff222]

I've spent a few days trying to figure out this whole printing process. I'm trying to print a 4000x3000 12MP photo that is currently 13.33 inches by 10 inches at 300 pixels/inch.

I ended up starting the PP over and not cropping at all -- I still need to crop it, although I will need to crop it AGAIN because I'm trying to print it 8x10 or something of the sort. The thing is, whenever I try to crop the photo up according to the 8x10, it takes way too much of the photo out. I'm struggling to find a good compromise.

Any help here? I'd be willing to send over the photoshop file to anyone who can help. Just PM me your email. Thanks!

 

[KmH]

4000 x 3000 is a 4:3 aspect ratio. An 10 x 8 has a 5:4 aspect ratio. Note: convention is to always state the width of an image first so people know if the print will be in the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation.

Lets do some basic math -

5 divided by 4 = 1.25 and 3000 px times 1.25 = 3750 px.
3750 px divided by 10 inches = 375 PPI
and 3000 px divided by 375 PPI = 8 inches.

So the least you would need to crop away is 250 pixels from the long side, but you then need to also increase the PPI to 375.
But the 250 pixels you crop can be 100 px from on end of the long side, and 150 from the other end, or any other combination that crops away 250 pixels from the long side.

Or you could put the 4000 x 3000 @ 300 PPI image on an oversize canvas like a 3:2 aspect ratio 10x15. Most print labs will trim away the excess on that large a print. The your print will be the 13.33 x 10.

You have yet another option - 4000 px divided by 10 inches = 400 PPI but 3000 px divided by 400 PPI = 7.5, a bit short of 8 inches.

Your camera gives you 3 aspect ratio choices - 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

You need to decide what's more important, the image and composition as a whole, or the print size/ratio.

Why does it have to be 8x10?

 

[echoyjeff222]

My three other B/W prints were all done on 8x10 paper, so I kind of wanted to continue the trend.

@KMH, thanks for all the info but I'm still not sure on the exact steps to cut those pixels out. I'm not sure how to crop based on pixels. (The 250 pixels that I need to crop out)

 

[KmH]

What software do you use to crop? Do you want an 8x10 or a 10x8?

You should be able to specify the aspect ratio. In Photoshop for a 10 x 8 I put 10 in the width box and 8 in the height box on the Tool Options bar and then drag out the crop box on the image starting in the upper left corner. Once the crop box is dragged out, by right clicking and holding in the box I can move the crop box right and left to frame the crop.

 

[echoyjeff222]

OHHHH 10x8 bahaha. wow, that's why it was behaving so weirdly! Heh! One second, trying it out ..


What's the next largest size that you suggest?

EDIT: Oh wow, I just realized that Costco only has

4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 8x12, 11x14, 12x18, 8x8, 12x12, 16x20, 20x30

 

[KmH]

Note: convention is to always state the width of an image first so people know if the print will be in the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation.

Costco's limited product selection is one reason may photographers don't use them.
4x6, 8x12, 12x18, and 20x30 are all 3:2 aspect ratio sizes. The long side of the print is 1.5 times the short side.

5x7 is 5:7. The long side of the print is 1.4 times the short side.

11x14 is an oddball and has a fractional aspect ratio. The long side of the print is 1.272727272727272727272727272727272....... times the short side.

8x8, and 12x12 have 1:1 aspect ratios (square). Both sides are the same length

8x10 and 16x20 are 5:4. The long side of the print is 1.25 times the short side. Note that 5:4 is close to being square.

 

[echoyjeff222]

Note: convention is to always state the width of an image first so people know if the print will be in the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation.

Costco's limited product selection is one reason may photographers don't use them.
4x6, 8x12, 12x18, and 20x30 are all 3:2 aspect ratio sizes. The long side of the print is 1.5 times the short side.

5x7 is 5:7. The long side of the print is 1.4 times the short side.

11x14 is an oddball and has a fractional aspect ratio. The long side of the print is 1.272727272727272727272727272727272....... times the short side.

8x8, and 12x12 have 1:1 aspect ratios (square). Both sides are the same length

8x10 and 16x20 are 5:4. The long side of the print is 1.25 times the short side. Note that 5:4 is close to being square.

I just realized something - can't I just switch the orientation via photoshop and just have them print the photo vertical so that it fits my needs? That is, I can print the 11x14, 14x11? Then I'll only have to crop a little bit.