The Digital Negative:
I love being able to offer my clients digital negatives so that you have the option to print the quantity you want, as often as you want! However, one drawback in not selling prints is that when you see your web album on your screen it is important to know that computer screens are not created equally. For example, the images I edit on my work PC look great and print great, but, if I look at them on some of our other computer screens, there can be a drastic difference. Bleck. I hope your screen is not bleck. This is the risk I take when I sell my digital negatives instead of having clients order prints thru me. Just know that I trust my screen and hope that you will be satisfied with the final images you receive from the printer of your choice.
Just as computer screens are not created equally, neither are printing companies. Please avoid printing at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS etc. Those businesses are great for many things, they are just unable to match the potential of high quality prints that my professional equipment are capable of. At this time, my favorite professional lab is Mpix. They have great quality and are not much more expensive than a place like Costco. Costco also, is a gem. They have great results and are very affordable. One of my favorite options at Costco is their 16x20 Poster Prints (they are currently $14.99). If you have wall space, they make a statement! You can see them from across the room in their full, high resolution beauty! They are sturdy with a half inch white border on all sides.
If you are ordering prints over the internet, make sure to upload the images to the printer in the FULL RESOLUTION option. You may get a resolution warning if you have not done this.
Developing & Cropping:
Be aware when choosing photos to be printed that it is VERY IMPORTANT to check the cropping feature.
Always check that you like how the photo will be cropped or you may end up with important stuff chopped off!
Sizes LEAST affected by cropping--3.5x5, minis, wallets, 4x6, 5x7, 6x9, 8x12, 12x18, 16x24.
Sizes MOST affected by cropping 8x10, 8.5x11, 16x20
My recommendation is that if you have an image that you love everything about and don’t want anything chopped off, try the 8x12. That size has saved wonderful images for me many times!
It is also VERY IMPORTANT when you go to print, MAKE sure you select the option to have auto correct OFF. Otherwise, they apply edits that often are much too dark and may or may not ruin your picture. It may not be easy to find where to turn it off.
For example, if ordering from Costco, this step is on the final page when it is time to review and place order. Customer support of your printing company can help or let me know if you have any questions.
