There’s a lot of different opinions on this, and many photo processing labs on-line and off, will usually recommend how big you can print files based on the resolution. Some won’t even print bigger than the size you may want based on the picture file you provide them. While it is good to follow the recommendations of the lab and provide the file size they may require to even print your photo, here’s a few tips on how you can maximize the results and get the print you require. Before I give the tips, I just want you to know that I’ve attended many photography seminars on Digital Photography, and I’ve personally seen poster sized prints from 1 megabyte photo files. So the next time someone says, you can’t get bigger than a 5x7 or 8x10 from your camera’s files don’t believe them. Please do keep in mind that results may vary for any number of reasons, but you can get those big prints from your low megapixel camera or camera phone. That said, here’s some information and tips you may find handy.

1) The better quality photo you have, the better the print results will be. Lots of movement, overexposed or underexposed images can reduce print quality.
2) During editing with photoshop or other decent photo editor, if you can resize the image to 300dpi, you may get better print results, but you can certainly get your photo lab to print your images where they may not have before.
3) Excessive cropping will dramatically reduce your image and print quality as will excessive editing operations.
4) Avoid multiple saves of JPEG files as well as emailing your phone images to yourself so you can get the image on your computer to print later. Most of the phones will automatically size down the resolution of the file when emailing it. While it may still look great on your computer, the print results will more than likely be less then desirable.

There’s many other things you can do to insure best quality prints, but these are some of the biggies. If you use care when taking your photos and use these tips, you should get best prints possible from the images you provide the lab. There’s no guarantees and your camera it’s lens can make a huge difference as well. Best thing to do is test the results and determine what suits you best. And keep in mind, a little grain in enlarged prints is not always a bad thing since you typically view those from a farther distance where the grain won’t be an issue.

Besides classes, reading and other forms of training, there are 2 ways that can dramatically improve one’s photography skills.

The first, and most important in my opinion, is practice! Practice using the features of your camera, practice taking pictures of all the different types of things you want to photograph, and if you are shooting digital, practice editing your photos to make them their best! That doesn’t mean you get sloppy with the camera and “Fix” your photos, it means that do things that used to be done to film in the dark room. You crop to the sizes you want will cropping out anything that may be distracting if possible. You adjust the image for brightness, color tone and clarity. That doesn’t mean you over do it, just make the image look the best it can without distorting it or making it look fake. You might however do things like remove dust specks, blemishes, etc. that can be distractions.

The second thing is, to always be working on learning more and improving. The best way I’ve found to do this, is to constantly discuss your work with others. Open yourself up to take and give constructive, friendly critiques. Also be willing to give the same to others that may be less experienced than you or just want another opinion. It’s easy to avoid these things because we don’t want to hurt the feelings of others, and we certainly don’t want our feelings hurt. A properly done critique does not need to be hurtful. It should be thoughtful, positive and encouraging. It should also contain suggestions to help improve the image either through editing and/or cropping, or in technique next time. Now matter what a person’s skill level, everyone has something to learn and something to offer others.

The best way I’ve found to do this is with On-Line Forums where you can upload images for comment, or view images from others, read the comments given and even give your own comments if you feel you have something to add. Everyone wins and it doesn’t have to cost anything or take a lot of time.

If you are interested, I would like to invite you to visit my free Photographer’s Forum open to anyone interested in photography. Best of all, since it’s all on-line, it’s available 24/7.


The Digital Photographerzone

I’ll keep this very brief. To get your best photographs, here’s 3 simple things you can do to dramatically improve your photography no matter what camera you are using. These are the New York Institute of photography 3 Guidelines.

- Know your Subject - Why are you taking the picture, what do you want people to see in the picture. If you can’t answer that, then is it worth taking the picture?

- Eliminate Distractions - If you have trash cans, clutter, trees or poles that look like they are growing out of peoples heads or bodies. Even messy hair or screwed up collar that may distract the viewer when looking at the photo. Sometimes you just change your camera angle or position, sometimes you may move things out of the way or have someone fix their hair, etc.

- Bring Focus and Attention to the subject - This can be done in many different ways. Partly by eliminating the distractions as mentioned above, but also by using various techniques. You might shoot real close to your subject by zooming in (don’t get too close or you will have trouble focusing and can cause a distorted picture). You can blur the background with the proper settings. You can also use surrounding objects, trees, etc. to “Frame Your Subject within your picture. You can use lines such as roads, bridges or paths to draw the viewer’s eye to the subject. Possibilities are endless here. Use your imagination.

Give these tips a try and see what happens to your photos, I think you will be pleasantly surprised!