Print size vs. Aspect Ratio & Costco Prints: I try to crop photos as little as possible, and when I do, I constrain the aspect ratio. Given most of our cameras (well, all of my...

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I try to crop photos as little as possible, and when I do, I constrain the aspect ratio. Given most of our cameras (well, all of my cameras) shoot at 3:2, if I want an 11x14 print, I have to crop and change the aspect ratio. OTOH, I can go to a 12x18 and preserve the aspect ratio, but at a higher cost at the store I use for printing ($15 per print).

Any thoughts/suggestions on print size and aspect ratio? For example, is anyone with a native 3:2 shooting at another ratio?

Finally, 12x18 is dirt cheap at Costco. I'm sure they are fine for smaller prints, but I would love to hear from someone who has used them for big prints. I suppose for the price I might just have one done and check it out.

Thanks,

Ben

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I used Costco for several 20x30 prints and was very satisfied. Make sure the "auto-correct" option is set to off. But they will reprint anything you're not satisfied with.

I'll comment on your aspect ratio question shortly.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I shoot the camera native aspect ratio. My DSLR is 3:2 and my bridge is 4:3. Sometimes I back off to allow room for cropping. It depends on the subject. I do print many 8x12s as mats for them are available to fit an 11x14 frame.
I will crop as needed when printing in another aspect ratio. Some scenics can be stretched or compressed with little obvious distortion, come can't. Usually shots with people cannot be compressed or expanded without looking funny.
I tried to make a comparison example here: https://mymindseye.us/AspectRatio.phtml

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Aspect ratio: I came from film and the first eight years of digital was with 3:2. The mirrorless cameras I bought last year are 4:3 but the Panasonic G7 I now use primarily for landscapes I changed to 3:2. I am not a pixel peeper and have not missed those pixels in the least

Regarding printing to standard sizes, while an 11x14 would be more difficult to adjust, here's a tip you might keep in mind: extend the "canvas" (I use PS Elements) so that outer dimensions are the standard size.

Below is an example. The white is part of the jpg sent in for print. While the top and bottom are not quite as wide as the sides, this result fits into an 8x12 frame and looks just dandy as part of a grouping on my wall.

-

for posting online, this is a "virtual" frame, but you get the idea

BebuLamar

I generally crop for the best composition but I would also change the aspect ratio if I prefer a certain print size due to the frame I want to use.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Linda From Maine wrote:

Aspect ratio: I came from film and the first eight... (show quote)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There is also the option to cut your own mats

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Linda From Maine wrote:

There is also the option to cut your own mats

Yes, and I was wondering how many I would waste becoming adept at cutting them.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Rab-Eye wrote:

I try to crop photos as little as possible, and wh... (show quote)

The reason I believe the 12x18 is cheap all my printers of quality have been 13x19 mostly epson.
A lot of folks are 16 x 9 now as their size for images or images from video. A crazy thought is get a HP or Canon that output 13x9 full size
and make your own prints. One person mentioned that Costco prints were good here. You can also print them at a size you want by a large
paper cutter and trim them your self. Good luck.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Linda From Maine wrote:

I used Costco for several 20x30 prints and was very satisfied. Make sure the "auto-correct" option is set to off. But they will reprint anything you're not satisfied with.

I'll comment on your aspect ratio question shortly.

thank you, Linda.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Longshadow wrote:

I shoot the camera native aspect ratio. My DSLR is... (show quote)

Thank you!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Linda From Maine wrote:

Aspect ratio: I came from film and the first eight... (show quote)

Nice, Linda. Thank you!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

BebuLamar wrote:

I generally crop for the best composition but I would also change the aspect ratio if I prefer a certain print size due to the frame I want to use.

Thank you!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Tom Daniels wrote:

The reason I believe the 12x18 is cheap all my printers of quality have been 13x19 mostly epson.
A lot of folks are 16 x 9 now as their size for images or images from video. A crazy thought is get a HP or Canon that output 13x9 full size
and make your own prints. One person mentioned that Costco prints were good here. You can also print them at a size you want by a large
paper cutter and trim them your self. Good luck.

Thank you, Tom!

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I will resize my landscapes in Elements to the print size I desire. They invariably turn out well. I tried it on a portrait, but distortion was too noticeable.

About Costco: Linda, from Maine, said to turn off the "auto-correct" option. Only do that if your screen is calibrated to include the darkness of the screen. Most screens are too bright; they are great at displaying our photos on screen, but when you go to print the photos, they turn out too dark -- I know this from experience (a $25 experience).

I had a 20x30 poster done by Costco and it came out perfectly. I have them do all of my printing. And, because I do not calibrate my screen's darkness level, I let them auto-correct my photos -- all of which come out perfectly!