Printing Basics Printing Basics Resolution, DPI Don t get caught up with resolution 6 MP about 3,000 x 2,000 pixels 12 MP about 4,256 2,832 pixels 21 MP about 5,616 x 3,744 pixels NOTICE WE HAVE NOT YET EVEN DOUBLED LINEAR RESOLUTION, DESPITE ALMOST QUADRUPLING THE MEGAPIXELS The future lies more in noise performance, dynamic range, color depth, etc.
Resolution, DPI My phone has an 8 MP camera. but I d rather have a 6 MP D40 from 2006. Most modern cameras should make at least a 16x20/16x24 at full resolution. Point and shoots have learned their lesson. TAKE PICTURES, DON T COUNT PIXELS Resolution, DPI Tips Crop in camera. Well exposed images. Save all crops as separate images. Size in PS and view full size for an idea of print quality. I print between 100 and 300 dpi. Larger prints = farther viewing distance = less resolution needed to look good to you. We sell a 40x60 canvas print, printed at 46 dpi, taken on a 3.46 MP camera. Profiles Monitors First step to improve accuracy. Seeks to standardize color. Many options available, some even built in. Glossy vs Matte Screens: In my experience, glossy screens are brighter, higher in contrast, and more colorful, but less accurate. Printers/Paper Some have calibration options built in. If not, download paper profiles from the paper manufacturer. You can view the photo with the paper profile in PS, but remember this is an RGB monitor simulating CMYK. Profiles When sending files to me: Adobe 98 Generally, expect darkening from screen to print. I always slightly raise the middle (gamma) slider in levels in PS. THOUGH THEY IDEALLY WOULD BE, MONITOR AND PAPER PROFILES AREN T ALWAYS EXACT BETWEEN SYSTEMS (this is where good printers are helpful).
Glossy Paper Highest in color saturation, contrast, brightness and lowest black point. Can have a one hour photo look. Hot spots from light sources can make it difficult to see the entire photo at once. Matte Paper Lowest in color saturation, contrast, brightness, black point, and often white point. Often least expensive. Benefit of low reflectivity. Well handled; doesn t collect finger prints. Luster/Pearl/Satin Paper My general go to paper Benefits of glossy: good color saturation, contrast, brightness, and black point. Benefits of matte: lower reflectivity, better overall image viewing. Watercolor Paper Many characteristics of matte. Often added texture, thickness or both. Often perceived to be of higher value. Fine Art association. I have used this for painters. Most Expensive paper.
Canvas Our canvas has a matte finish. Yet, it s coated with a satin finish. Results similar to luster/satin/pearl papers. Often perceived to be of higher value. Fine Art association. Often used this for paintings. Most Expensive to print, but requires no framing, which often makes it less expensive than paper. Stretched on custom made stretcher bars. Our canvas has a smooth surface. Presentation. It is important to remember these characteristics can all be advantages depending upon your photo or intended usage. HDR Photography??? High Dynamic Range Taking a range of bracketed exposures with the intention of fusing them into one photo containing a wider range of tones than the individual exposures.
HDR Photography HDR Photography HDR Basics: Aperture Priority We want a consistent depth of field from image to image, so let the shutter speed be the variable. Auto Exposure Bracketing Canon limitations (email them!) Use a tripod. Yes, a tripod. I know it s heavy. I know it s cumbersome. Just use it. Shoot RAW The whole reason of doing HDR is to get the most information from the scene possible. Shoot more exposures than you think you ll need sometimes subject is limiting. HDR Basics: Cable release. Photomatix other software available: PS, etc. Photomatix LR Plugin Let Adobe convert your RAW files instead of Photomatix. Adjust your WB ahead of time indoors. Try processing a single RAW file. Keep an eye on your range of exposures.
My HDR Workflow: Shoot 9 exposures at 1 stop intervals. Save files to computer. Import into LR Export exposure set to Photomatix via the LR plugin. Select TIFF, 16 bit Reduce Chromatic Aberration Adjust in Photomatix to retain as much info as possible, not to produce a final, usable image. Tone Mapping Details Enhancer Re-import into LR (automatic selection when you exported). My HDR Workflow: Adjust in LR Color balance Lens correction Brightness Contrast Etc. Export to PS Select individual elements Make into layers Adjust accordingly DODGE HIGHLIGHTS Smart Sharpen 80-120% My HDR Workflow: Save Automatically re-imports into LR as filename-edit. Reduce noise (LR 3) if necessary. Fine tune color balance, contrast, etc. Adjust vignetting if necessary Equipment I use for HDR Nikon D3s Nikon 14-24mm 2.8 Nikon 50mm 1.8 Nikon 85mm 1.4 Nikon 24-120mm 4.5-5.6 Lowepro 450 Gitzo tripod Gitzo simple ball head Generic shutter release cable (cheap at B&H) 2 Sandisk Ultra 16GB CF cards Adobe LR 3 Adobe PS CS5 Photomatix Pro 4
Camera Settings, etc. 9 exposures at 1 stop intervals ISO 400, never exceeding 800 Usually at f/8, making full use of my DOF Aperture Priority 3D Matrix Metering (regular metering) Picture control to standard (no increase in sat./contrast) Active D-Lighting to normal (Nikon specific, unnecessary) RAW Manually set WB Continuous high Single autofocus Long exposure noise reduction to normal Adobe 98 color space (not srgb) www.thechurchesofamerica.com 30+ churches in Charleston 8 in Asheville 2 in Beaufort 1 in Bluffton Shooting 6-7 in Savannah in May St. Augustine, FL, Nashville, TN, Wilmington, NC this year, early next. Donations help this project continue into the future: www.thechurchesofamerica.com/donate