Common Wisdom

From the reading I've done on getting digital prints made, the common wisdom I've seen dispensed has been to take your image dimensions and divide by 300 dpi to get the maximum sized print you'll want to make. For instance my camera captures at 6MP (3072 x 2048 pixels). Dividing that by 300dpi I get roughly 10" wide by 7" high. Again, common wisdom states that to go any higher image quality will be sacrificed.

As an experiment I recently purchased some 24" x 36" prints and am absolutely astounded at the quality. Now I'm not one to toot my own horn, so I'll say that the printer did an excellent job of resizing my 6MP JPEGs and printing them at such a large size.

My only problem now is framing is gonna be expensive.

Yah, I have about a 20x30" print framed from my 4.1 MP camera (shot by the previous owner of the camera) and it looks pretty goo. Close up (within 1') you can see the pixels but not from a normal viewing distance.

I think this depends solely on your expectations in terms of print quality. I'm glad that you are satisfied with them.

I'm really looking forward to doing some digital printing of my film shots now that I have access to a decent scanner. Not so sure I want to do my B&W digitally but some of my colour stuff for sure.

Nando, I was expecting something decent enough to at least hang on my walls, but these exceed that expectation. Maybe it's just the initial novelty of seeing my photos printed on such a large format.. I am new to having my shots printed.

However, along with these 24x36 prints I also ordered some 12x18 metallic prints. One print was the same digital file as a previous order which I was really happy with. This recent batch was significantly brighter than previous, and also brighter compared to the same file on different paper. I'm not convinced that this printer has their metallic printing process working. I'm going to have to give them a call.

Good news Mike.

I think a lot also depends on who you have printing your shots but I'm sure we all knew that.

I've only gone as high as 8x12s for my printing and was quite happy with the results I have received.

As far as framing I recommend the lady on Tancred St. just behind the jewelers on Queen (I think Benjamin Jewelers). I forget the name of the store now. I've bought cheap frames from IKEA then have gone there for custom matting as the frames are odd sizes. Then again I have no clue what I'm talking about when hanging prints

Cujo, that's the second time, no third.. that I've been pointed there for framing. I've gone to Framing Matters up on the highway twice now and have been really happy with the work. I find her prices a little high, but then again I'm a framing n00b.

Yeah I'm a framing noob too and have only gone to that place. She's really nice and when I went in with no clue she actually showed me how to go about it etc. Worth a shot. Can't remember what prices are at the moment as I paid different both times.

I think for the custom mattes and some foam core for in behind - I believe the mattes were cut for 13x20 frames and the opening was for 8x12 I paid about $15/matte & foam core combo. I think the 2nd time around it was cheaper.

I just buy black aluminium frames from Vistek that come with pre-cut matte boards. For my 8x12's I buy a 16x20 frames, which gives a nicely sized border. Costs somewhere between $35-40 per frame. It usually only takes 2 business days for the frames to arrive.

I don't personally mount any of my own work, besides a few shots of my kid. I don't know what my hang-up is (pun not intended) but I've just never been able to hang my own work on the wall.

Ken, I felt the same way until we moved into this house and all I had to hang was my own stuff. It felt kind of weird at first, but now I enjoy seeing them up instead of collecting dust in the basement.

Yah. I have a house full of bare walls.

This is so weird. I was just talking to my wife about getting a picture framed for my mom for Christmas, but had no idea where to go. Glad I logged on, and checked out this post. I have an 8"x"8" shot of a flower, but I rarely see any square frames. I'll have to check out the places mentioned.

I have three 11"x14" prints of my own stuff on my living room wall, and two others of the same size in two other rooms in the house. I find that they become pretty good conversion pieces during get-togethers and parties. And to tie in one of the other recent posts (that I haven't responded to), I've had one printed on metallic paper through Blacks, and it looks killer. It is a winter scene, which works well on this paper.

bjotoole wrote:I was just talking to my wife about getting a picture framed for my mom for Christmas, but had no idea where to go. Glad I logged on, and checked out this post. I have an 8"x"8" shot of a flower, but I rarely see any square frames. I'll have to check out the places mentioned.

http://www.vistek.ca/store/framesphotodisplays/230755/framatic-11-x-11-fineline-black-aluminum-frame-8-x-8-shadow-mat-o.aspx

Bryan, check out the place I mentioned, I believe she makes frames as well but I know she has a giant selection in her little area - I just never looked at them as I never needed a frame yet.

As far as hanging your own stuff that's all that is up in my house as well. Otherwise the walls would be bare. Being a photographer myself and trying to convince others I am one it seems weird not to display my own stuff in my own house. I think I have 6 shots up but from 2 years ago or so and they are do for updating. It would also be weird to put up other art on the wall if mine wasn't up as well.

Also I'm sure if people came over they could be conversation pieces HAHA.

I don't have any photographs hung up on my walls simply because they don't go with the decor. I normally feel very uncomfortable when displaying my photographs. HCB himself never hung up any of his photographs largely because he felt embarrassed by the attention. I recall reading that he only had one photograph prominently displayed at his home and that was Martin Munkácsi's photograph "Three Boys at Lake Tanganyika" which was the photograph that inspired him to pursue photography seriously.

Yah I'm not sure why I am against it. My father did it with his landscapes. Maybe that's why I don't do it.

I have prints and paintings from my friends up, and a triptych of my father's but noting of mine... save for a few photos of my daughter.