Magnifying? I have taken a picture of a duck using my 300mm lens. When editing, I have zoomed and realize that the picture is greatly enhanced when I enlarge it and only use the head...

Whyfret1 Loc: Easton, MD

I have taken a picture of a duck using my 300mm lens. When editing, I have zoomed and realize that the picture is greatly enhanced when I enlarge it and only use the head for the final result. Does cropping the picture achieve the final result that I am seeing on the screen or is there another way?
I have read alot of posts in this forum and I am uncertain about noise,pixel size, distortion, etc. I am so new to photography that I have not even attempted to print any of my pictures yet.
Thanks, and just send me to a prior post if this has already been addressed.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Yes, cropping does achieve this affect but cropping too far will degrade the image. If you zoom in 100% on screen, this is about how far you can crop if you want to have a nice view on your screen. But you may no have enough pixels left over for a decent size print so zooming in on the head of your duck may be nice on screen but may not look good printed on 14x11 paper.

Whyfret1 Loc: Easton, MD

Jeep daddy,

How do I know what the sharpness or quality of a 8x10 print would be? I know professionals can look a picture and see the flaws however an untrained eye may see a fabulous print.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

You might want to upload the photo here, and select the "store original" option, so that people can check it for you. Use reply or quote reply, and there will be a place to add attachment below the message box.

Whyfret1 Loc: Easton, MD

Linda From Maine wrote:

You might want to upload the photo here, and select the "store original" option, so that people can check it for you. Use reply or quote reply, and there will be a place to add attachment below the message box.

Thank you Linda! And "yes" I forget about the "reply and quote " option!

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

Whyfret1 wrote:

Jeep daddy,

How do I know what the sharpness or quality of a 8x10 print would be? I know professionals can look a picture and see the flaws however an untrained eye may see a fabulous print.

That's why professionals lose a lot of the enjoyment of life! Hah!

Whyfret1 Loc: Easton, MD

Dlevon wrote:

That's why professionals lose a lot of the enjoyment of life! Hah!

Too funny !

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

Whyfret1 wrote:

Too funny !

As an aside there's truth to that. As a retired architect I have to comment that every building I go into or see, the first thing I notice are the flaws. I just can't help myself. After I see the flaws I can then see all the good qualities! I guess it comes with being a professional.

Whyfret1 Loc: Easton, MD

Dlevon wrote:

As an aside there's truth to that. As a retired architect I have to comment that every building I go into or see, the first thing I notice are the flaws. I just can't help myself. After I see the flaws I can then see all the good qualities! I guess it comes with being a professional.

Good point !

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

When you look at any picture on your screen, the system has to take the full file and "compress" it into the resolution of your screen or the viewing program's window. This by nature will somewhat reduce the details you can see, but will not affect how the photo will actually print out. Zooming in, or cropping, will give you an idea as to how large you can make the full image before it starts to seriously degrade.

Apjar307 Loc: Cheyenne, Wyoming

Whyfret1 wrote:

I have taken a picture of a duck using my 300mm le... (show quote)

I understand your question. I think that you could go to Sam's Club or Costco and have a decent size print made for a few dollars, and see if you like the results. Sam's = 12x16 is $2.96 and 16x20 is $5.96. 20x24 is $7.96.
That way you will have a print for a little outlay, and be able to see your results.

Whyfret1 Loc: Easton, MD

Apjar307 wrote:

I understand your question. I think that you could go to Sam's Club or Costco and have a decent size print made for a few dollars, and see if you like the results. Sam's = 12x16 is $2.96 and 16x20 is $5.96. 20x24 is $7.96.
That way you will have a print for a little outlay, and be able to see your results.

I think you are absolutely correct! Generally speaking , is this the only way to know if I was contemplating ever submitting for a contest? Via web or print ? Does a semi professional always have to print to see exactly what they have ?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Whyfret1 wrote:

Jeep daddy,

How do I know what the sharpness or quality of a 8x10 print would be? I know professionals can look a picture and see the flaws however an untrained eye may see a fabulous print.

You want a minimum of 240-300 pixels/inch, so you just do the math and use your software to see what the pixel dimensions are. So an 8x10 would be 8x240 on the short side and 10x240 on the long side or 1920x2400 minimum. Most printers actually print best at 300ppi

Whyfret1 Loc: Easton, MD

jeep_daddy wrote:

You want a minimum of 240-300 pixels/inch, so you just do the math and use your software to see what the pixel dimensions are. So an 8x10 would be 8x240 on the short side and 10x240 on the long side or 1920x2400 minimum. Most printers actually print best at 300ppi

Thank you so much for your patience. I now know what to look for

Whyfret1 Loc: Easton, MD

jeep_daddy wrote:

You want a minimum of 240-300 pixels/inch, so you just do the math and use your software to see what the pixel dimensions are. So an 8x10 would be 8x240 on the short side and 10x240 on the long side or 1920x2400 minimum. Most printers actually print best at 300ppi

Thank you so much for your patience. I now know what to look for