i set camera for Jpeg, minimal crop end up after Photoshop with a 7.4 MB file. Looks like the largest print I can make is a 24x36?? what am I missing, set to fine large Jpg? using Mpix pro as the print house? Says insufficient MP to print larger. Thanks
File size means nothing...how many pixels are you working with in the finished file?? Let us know how many pixels on the long side, that's where you gotta start....As much as i respect trenchmonkey, i gotta disagree with the raw statement...unless there was sarcasm there i didnt pick up....raw means nothing for print size/ability..you should be able to print as large as you want (and DEFINETLY as large as mpix can print) with large/fine jpgs...given a sharp/well exposed file to start with...just resize the image larger in PS, do a little unsharp mask, and you should be perfect!
it is a team pic from the championships, should have shot it in Raw but was caught in the moment. They want to hang in the lobby of the school at 30 x 45, looks lie the largest is 24x36?
amlsml wrote:
it is a team pic from the championships, should have shot it in Raw but was caught in the moment. They want to hang in the lobby of the school at 30 x 45, looks lie the largest is 24x36?
PM'd ya...email me the Original, final JPG that you were sending to Mpix, and i'll prep it for you to show you what's possible...
Also, i dont use Mpix Pro, but just looking at their site, they dont do anything larger than 24x36....you prob need a lab that does larger....maybe think about contacting Elco Color.... http://www.elcocolor.net/index.php/Photographic-Prints.html
Are you looking for a source other than Mpix, or are you just asking how large you can print? If it's how large you can go, consider the viewing distance. I have images taken with my D3s that have been printed at a number of large x huge sizes, including 3 foot by 6 foot, 4 foot by 8 foot, 10 foot by 12 foot, as well as full size billboards. So it's really a matter of the quality of the photo that you start with, the viewing distance, and the medium that you're printing on.
I once did a 17x25 from a 2.7MP D1 JPEG that came out excellent.
I used Qimage to upsize.
It really comes down to how good the picture is to begin with, more than the original size.
If it is sharp with enough DOF to get everyone in, it will go 30x45
I just got the photo and prepped it for him....the original jpg was very sharp, 4174x2783 and about 9mb in size...so plenty of pixels to work with....i resized it bicubic in PS to 45" wide at 300dpi (prob doesn't NEED 300 dpi, could have passed with 200dpi but it doesn't really hurt either....)...then did a 2 pixel, 117% unsharp mask......view at 33% where 1" on screen will be 1" on the print, file looks awesome from 2 feet, and straight up amazing from like 5' +......final image is 22.3mb from a Level 10 jpg....
And here is a crop of the resized file, showing a print size view (33%)....1" on screen is 1" on the print...Could be SLIGHTLY over sharpened, but seriously when you're viewing from a distance, you won't notice it...
file size means nothing, viewing distance is everything.
Where will this be seen? how far away are the viewers? ive shot billboards with 4mp cameras. ive also shot a 80x120 image (upressed with Genuine Fractals) for a shopping mall w my d700.
this was with a d700
Here is what it looks like up close, at an arms length away. Dont be fooled when people say you need X amount of MP to print big.
To go back to the original question, MPIX and a number of houses (maybe costco as well?) check the pixel count on the image and compare it to some standard they use. If the pixel count is too low, they will flag the image as being too low in resolution. In most cases you can override the warning.
I suspect the flag flips on somewhere between 100 and 200 DPI, based on my previous experience with it. I am pretty sure it is probably 100 DPI.
So, the direct answer to the question is, If you want to print bigger at MPIX and similar sites with this type of warning, you either need more pixels or you need to ignore / override their warning.
From what I read above, it sounds like Nathan has more than taken care of the "more pixels" alternative.
Definitely viewing distance and the appropriate sharpening and the valuable Genuine Fractals. Know the final print size, upres if necessary then apply sharpening using Sharpening pro and choose the type of printer you'll be using, then the viewing distance. Cheers.
Guys THANKS, Nathan you are great for taking the time and effort on this. The viewing distance is something I never considered and I think you are correct about the lab flagging based on some formulary they use. This is going into the school lobby so the distance will be at least 5 -10 feet depending on where they hang it!. Really appreciate the help, and the resize tutorial for PS.
my middle name, Nathan 
