Making the steps towards prints from digital

[Scheelings]

I decided to start a post on printing because I suppose there are many other amateurs whose productions finish with a digital image that they are happy with for either posting online or simply cataloguing.


There are several reasons why this might be the case - for me, its a case of not really being happy enough with the pictures I've taken. However, as I've improved, I've now got a few images that I would consider putting up in the house.



Printing in A4, A3 etc seems logical because the dimensions match the image, however I've seen print shops advertising print sizes which don't seem to match - I believe the designation is R preceding the size.


If I were to use this as my primary dimensions - how do I apply that to images all set to 4:3? Or should I simply stick to 4:3?


At the moment I also have a bad habit of editing via a projector - how important is it for me to get a monitor which has its colour adjusted?

 

[jschrader]

For me printing is essential. Maybe I am just old-fashioned. I do not hang many pictures on the wall but this forces you to really finish it.

For the size, the bigger the better. I would not change the aspect ration. 2:3 is the choice if You have a 24 x 36 camera. The paper will have a white margin. This helps it to step out of the background.

About color calibration I cannot help much; I do b&w 🙂

 

[Prest_400]

I recently got printed some scanned slides and files to 20x30cm (A4 size).
It is wonderful and should be the end line for an image (not only view online). I'm gonna do it more and my mindset for a few months has been of "shooting for the print".
I would like to frame a couple however at the moment I've been printing just for the sake of it. I want to get a portfolio ond put them there.

Size: Try to keep the aspect ratio. For this "hands on" prints I like to add a border and it helps keep the whole image area intact.
Bigger is probably better, except for the $ (esp. with film without a scanner) 😀 I find A4 prints a bit unwieldy because of the size at times.

Calibration is important to essential. I got a laptop and it's uncalibrated. I have edited (contrast, levels/curves and saturation) a few snaphots which I sent for 4x6" prints to a very cheap site... And they came out fine, quite close to what I wanted.
Then I've got a kodachrome which will take quite a few attempts to get right. One which I had printed by the lab on DPII Lustre is boring and flat. I took the scan and adjusted curves... On monitor more or less what I wanted (not as beautiful as the slide)... On print: Overcooked, too contrasty... The reds were more saturated however.
Next time I'm gonna send it to a proper lab in the UK. They did Cibachrome but now use Imacon+Chromira on Fujiflex.

Btw, are you in Japan? R sizes seem to be a Japanese thing.

 

[icebear]

I suggest you take a look at the digital print forum :
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=149

Yes, for a color correct workflow a calibrated monitor is crucial.

For the size apart from what is best for the subject of your frame and what your religion is about to crop or not to crop you might want to consider how you intend to hang the final print. Do you want to get a standard frame, mounting in a standard size passpartout or invest in a custom cut size.

And if you want to really dig deep into digital printing, take a look at this book:
Jeff Scheve "The Digital Print", easily worth the money because you will max out the quality of your images. Not an easy read, pretty detailed but essential, if you are after excellent quality prints. Also contains basic info on printers (he favors Epson and Canon for fine art). More info on the book and Jeff on Luminous Landscape.

 

[Scheelings]

Thanks for the pointers guys - I'll look into the digital print forum too.

Prest_400, I'm in Malaysia

 

[back alley]

why a thread on printing IN THE LEICA SECTION?

 

[Pioneer]

why a thread on printing IN THE LEICA SECTION?

It is about Digital Printing??? 😀😀