burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Just don’t confuse file size with image dimensions. Many people make that mistake. There are many factors that affect print quality. File size is not necessarily one of them.

If you convert raw data to an image, work on it some, crop it, then resize it and sharpen it gently and export it as a virgin, full quality JPEG, a good lab will make a nice print from it.

natureslight Loc: Winona, Minnesota

Yep, I have a calibrator and I will do that. Still trying to understand all these variables. Do you send your files in Jpeg or tiff? And who do you use? Thanks for your reply.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

While i cant recommend a printer i can give you a sample of an actual AdobeRGB file we have sent for printing. This was printed on Duratrans (backlit color transparency film) and installed on a lightbox posterboard.

If you will download it, you can see just how small the file is compared to its print size of 99x139cm (almost 40x57 inches). If scrutinized you may be able to barely see the banding i was talking about. But all in all it was of good enough quality for normal viewing.

Do not be confused with file size and quality image. An image can be small and still be ok or gigabyte size and still be worthless.

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(Download)

Novicus Loc: north and east

Incredible Quality !!

Makes me wonder what Equipment was used to Achieve this, what Camera..Lens...could you tell us ?

natureslight Loc: Winona, Minnesota

I think what I'm confused about is print resolution. I understand what the poster burkphoto was saying about viewing distance but I'm still not quite clear on two issues. From the color profile videos I've watched, they've all said tiff files will give you better more true color images. Also, when I export my raw files [approx 23 mb] in jpeg at 100% quality and 300 dpi, they're only a 5-6mb file. An earlier poster said his 47mb raw files were exporting to over 20mb jpegs. So I'm not sure what settings he's using, I have to figure this out yet. Although I'm concerned about print resolution, I'm more concerned about getting accurate colors to my printed image as what I see on my monitor. I have an expensive monitor that supports 99% Adobe RGB and full sRGB as well as an X-Rite Display Pro calibrator, so I can achieve accurate colors on my screen. My understanding is sRGB was created for using images on the screen, so I can't yet understand how that color profile can be sufficient for rendering accurate colors in print when other color spaces are available [adobe 1998 for one], and that is what most of these labs claim. When exporting from lightroom, 16 bit files in tiff are an option, but only 8bit in jpeg. My camera captures 14 bit. I need to find a lab that can work in that color space and possibly send me a large image printed in both sRGB and Adobe RGB for comparison. Obviously I'm new to this printing game, but I'm going to keep researching this until I get it. When saying a large file can be worthless, what specifically do you mean? Are you talking about noise, dpi, white balance? Thanks much for your help. Mark

Novicus Loc: north and east

As I am also confused about all this, I have done some research too, and I keep on reading that TIFF is the best option,..here`s a link to a printer called Atwood :

https://www.atwoodprint.com/resources/articles/jpgortiff.html

They say, and I quote :

" The JPEG file format has gained prominence over the past few years, in large part due to its ability to provide a fairly high-quality image at a fraction of the size of other formats, such as TIFF. Of course, that benefit comes at a cost."

I also have read about a British photog who had RAW files from a wedding shoot, and went to three print-shops, off whom none could get the colors right , especially Skin-tones, they told him they had to use conversions, for their equipment could Not read his RAW files and Advised him to submit Jpeg or better , TIFF files,....so now, I think to obtain best possible Printing results I must set my camera to TIFF,..which will slow down write times...but it should yield the best possible quality.

natureslight Loc: Winona, Minnesota

Thank You.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Some photos i took with our previous camera- Nikon D90 / 18-105 lens. The other images/elements were provided by our suppliers or acquired from stock photo sites.

It is a composite image done in Photoshop.
Even some of the bottles were separate photos that were cut and pasted together.
As an example;
1. The Haut-Logat bottles' Label & Cap came from a separate photo pasted over my own graphic drawing of a dark bottle (yep, that black bottle is actually a drawing as is the Piper bottles).
2. The Gold cap/seal of the Piper bottles are exact replicas of each other (copy paste )

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

20 X 30" prints from Costco are ridiculously cheap and of excellent quality. Also, if you are serious about large prints I suggest you take a serious look at Topaz Labs' Gigapixel AI program for which there is a 30 day free trial.
Cheers

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Labs don't generally accept raw files. High volume production software does not support raw conversions. The expectation in the digital age is that if you want to print from raw, or more precisely, directly from the conversion, you must connect a high end printer to your computer and do it yourself.

There are a few very posh service bureaus who will do that for you. They're mostly in major cities. They are not inexpensive!

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

I convert them a jpeg, and use Whitewall but I heard some good things about Bay Photo Labs and I'm told Bay Photo Labs are easier to use than Whitewall again hope that helps

Novicus Loc: north and east

Mr. Wallen, thank you
That is a crafty piece of professionalism, it shows, once again ,..it`s Not the Pen but the Hand that wields it

Novicus Loc: north and east

Yes, I am looking into that, as I kinda mis the darkroom ,but then comes the choice of printer, I hear that Canon should have some real nice ones with five or seven color bottles,but...I am a Nikon shooter ..

Kidding aside, I am Torn between HewlettPackard..Epsom,..Canon , with HP supposedly having the Best ink,..is there some truth in that ?

Nicholas DeSciose

Reed Photo Art In Denver it’s considered to be one of the top three fine art labs in the country

natureslight Loc: Winona, Minnesota

I'll check it out. Thank You.