Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Great point for those who don't print often. I have two HDMI ports on my 32" television, so I connected one to my laptop to use as monitor. I was able to set the controls to look similar to a print. Very low tech, eh?

In lieu of printer profiles/calibration to specific printers, lightening (and sometimes de-saturating) the jpg is a must. But the auto-correct may not be your friend if you are into heavy editing, or the image is something like a night scene where auto-correct might lighten too much. It would be interesting to do a couple of test prints both ways since 4x6's are so cheap.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

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But the auto-correct may not be your friend if you are into heavy editing, or the image is something like a night scene where auto-correct might lighten too much.
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That's why years ago I quit using negative film and stuck with slides. Labs would always print the negatives for "correct" brightness, and I'd loose my little bit of intended under exposure.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

I have all my printing done at Costco and am satisfied. Just remember to turn off the AUTO CORRECT!!

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I used Costco for many of my prints till they decided to phase out their photo labs. Since my files were color corrected I never had a problem with color shifts. Their printing was very satisfactory to me and I sold several of those prints. Since they went mostly on line I have not used them so I cannot make any comments on their present quality.
My dSLR cameras shoot the 3:2 aspect ratio and I go with that. My Olympus bodies shoot 4:3 (the whole sensor) and I keep that ratio. I do not crop, I let them do the cropping for me although I make sure to point out to them important areas that will be at the margins and I want to keep.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

One of my cameras has variable aspect-ratio settings, and I chose 2:3, since the standard small print nowadays is the 4x6. And I have a habit of filling my frames, so cropping is normally not desired. Therefore, I tend to do all of my prints at that ratio: 8x12, 12x18, 20x30, etc. I avoid 11x14 because I have to crop it. If I know I'm going to be printing a particular image at a different aspect ratio, I tend to NOT fill the frame to the edge with important stuff but back off a bit so as to have cropable images. My small camera has a different aspect ratio and is more like a 4x5 (not not quite). I do like that aspect ratio. But I do have to think about it when shooting.

About cutting your own mats, it's quite easy, but it does take a bit of practice and special equipment to get the corners neat and tidy. (People notice!) I used to present work in sort of odd sizes and had all custom framing. However, when selling to the masses, making a print fit a standard size frame does make it more appealing. If they know they can go to Hobby Lobby and buy a frame that will fit, they're more likely to purchase a print versus requiring custom framing.

And I print at Costco. They suggested I turn off the "auto-correct." I know that their printers will turn out a print equal in density, but with slightly less magenta than my own prints. So I adjust for that. They are very kind about reprinting anything that's not "right" in my eyes. Even if I screwed up! I think their 12x18 is about $4.00.

ramarsh

I have used them for my Africa shots.
They produce very nice 20x60 prints for $20.
Fuji paper.
I think poster weight.
20x30 are half that.

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

Linda suggested to me earlier that I try Costco for larger prints, and I remain thankful that she did. They do an excellent job for cheap - and quickly too. A 20 X 30" print was ready in half an hour.

I was able to purchase a frame at Walmart for the print and it is proudly displayed.

Cheers

Bob Locher

Ducksoup Loc: western Washington

I bought one of the Logan matte cutters, (I think it's the model 301?) It's extremely easy to use! After only one or two failures on small ones, I had it dialed in. I think I paid about $60 for mine, but that was 6 years ago.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

One of these days I might experiment.....

Cheese

Why the reluctance to crop to the size you want? Assuming you have the space on the edges, you are simply getting rid of an extraneous bit of the photo. Does this degrade the IQ of what's left uncropped?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Therein lies the constraints for many of us. Take a look at the OP's recent photo postings: sports + the vertical fireworks. Hard to change those.

Landscapes are especially difficult. Try an 11x14 of my below landscape. Kinda changes the story, huh

(Download)

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

That is very interesting. Thank you. I’ve been wondering about screen calibration, and this makes me wonder if it’s worth spending the money.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

That is a very fair question; I might not have a good answer. Getting everything right in the camera, including dropping, was pounded into me by teacher many years ago. For better or worse, I suppose it has become a habit.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

So what size is this landscape photo?