Photography 101
Photography Release Forms
When receiving your images on a CD, ask your photographer if they are in high resolution. Sometimes, and your photographer should tell you, you will receive digital images, but they are "web only". This means that the quality of the image is good enough to post and view online but not to print. Even a small print like a 4x6, will be pixilated. So again, be sure to ask your photographer if your images are in high resolution.
You will also need a full release form from your photographer. Most local places will require a photography release form for any picture that look close to professional. If your agreement with your photographer is to have all your images on a CD with full release to all your images, then you be sure you get the form! Most print shops will send you home and not hand you the pictures without the release form. Also, be sure the release form includes the date that the pictures were taken and also the image numbers.
Here are a couple of trusted sites, that many photographers use to develope prints and more. With options like mounting and canvas printing.
Mpix - Great prices and quality. Multiple sizes and services.
Ritzpix - Good prices and quality. Multiple locations in the Denver area.
White House Custom Colour - Professional, but still offers great prices.
Cropping Images
When a picture is taken, for the most part, it is registered in a 4-inches by 6-inches format. This makes printing easy for everyone. You can just take the CD or the memory card to have them printed and choose 4x6s without having to worry about cutting some parts of your photograph. When you decide to print a 5x7 or an 8x10, then you will cut off some of your photograph because it is no longer within the original dimensions. This is something you have to think about before printing something outside those dimensions.
Below is an image that I took. The entire image is within those 4x6 dimensions. Let's say you want to print a 5x7 image, I highlighted (looks green) the area that will be printed out. The top stip of the image will be cut off because it falls outside of the 5x7 dimensions. If you decide to have that printed as an 8x10, more of the image will be cut off, as you can see. Between the red dots is where the 8x10 dimensions fall.
Most places will give you the option to see the image before it is printed, if it falls outside of the original 4x6 dimensions. This will allow you to choose what part of the image you want to cut off. I hope this helps anyone looking to print images outside of the 4x6 dimensions.
