size photos to give to clients

<p>I'm just wondering, what size does everyone give to their clients when they give them the final cd if they do? I usually give them the originally size and I'm just wondering what others thoughts are on this.  I'df like to make them smaller but what would be a good size do you think to make all the photos?</p>

<p>Native size from the camera. With instructions to be careful if they print in different sizes. Don't let the printer crop, do it themselves. Or if they want I will do selected images at a small additional cost.</p>

<p>If you have to pick a size 4x6 would probably be the most common.</p>

<p>You also may be interested in the following recent post.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00VBho">http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00VBho</a></p>

<p>I give the photos in in the size that I think they look best in.... </p>

<p>Most of the candids (unless it's a spectactular shot) are 4x6<br>

Most of the formals are 8 x 10 or 5 x 7</p>

<p>Dave</p>

 

<p>I constrain my images to 3500 pixels, level 11 compression- JPEG. This gives me an average file size of 2.5MB (some much lower, some higher). It's the file size I am worried about and I have found that 2.5MB is about the best sweet spot I have found. Uploading to an online lab such as MPIX and they tell me they can print a up to a 20x30 image from that file. A few years ago, we even supplied file sizes closer to the 1MB mark and never had any issues. However, I have had issues when trying to supply a larger file. Most people simply don't have the Ram or computer horsepower to cache 500 or more 5MB files. I have even had a few tell me that my current file size (average 2.5MB) chokes their computer. But that's me! YMMV.</p>

<p> Thanks I appreciate the quick responses! I just got a new camera and the files are much larger than my last and Ive just been having some issues with clients saying they are having trouble viewing them so just wondering if the size might be an issue. Im gonna try resizing them smaller and seeing if this helps. Thanks so much</p>

<p>I just recently changed the way that I do this...All of my packages include a disc of wedding images optimized to print best at 8x10(not necessarily cropped to those proportions). I believe the settings that I use are: Longest side - 1500px and 300 DPI. Since most people do not print larger than this on their own and prefer to print large prints through me(I prefer this also because I can have more control over the final quality of a large print), this works. They can also opt for the full resolution photos for an added fee.</p>

<p>Sarah, if you are providing a file of 1500 pixels on the longest side the dpi setting has no effect. If that file is printed at 8x10 it will be 150 dpi (1500/10=150). In general, the dpi/ppi setting does not affect file size unless the export parameters are specified in inches. If you want a file that will print at 300 dpi, then it have to be 3000 pixels on the long side, assuming an 8x10 print.</p>

<p>I do not mean to imply you are doing anything wrong. Please don't take that way. There is a lot of confusion regarding this. In general, dpi has no meaning except for printing and ppi has no meaning unless you are talking sensor or monitor resolution.</p>

<p>Douglas, I actually meant ppi. I set it at 300ppi for the disc. No offense taken. : )</p>

<p>Sarah, good, I'm glad.</p>

<p>My point is that that the setting has no effect, if you are specifying dimensions in pixels. You can confirm this using LR. Pick a file, export it and set the long side to 1500 pixels and the dpi/ppi to 300. Do it again, but this time set the dpi/ppi to 72. Look at the file size of each file you exported. You will find that they are the same. The dpi/ppi setting has no effect.</p>

<p>Sorry to have sidetracked the thread.</p>

<p>Douglas, I am sorry for the confusion. I was not merely talking about file size...but also the general settings/dimensions that I use. Thanks!</p>

<p>Sorry, i read your earlier post to mean you were saving files at 1500 pixels on the long side for later printing as an 8x10 at 300 dpi. My bad!</p>

<p>4x6.</p>

<p>I never answered the OP's question. Oops!<br>

I offer the following:</p>

<ol>

<li>raw filesw</li>

<li>Files sized to 8x10 or 8x12 @ 240dpi</li>

<li>Files sized to 4x6 or 4x5 @ 300 dpi</li>

<li>Web files at 600 pixels on the long side</li>

<li>Some combination for the above.</li>

</ol>

<p>I try not to confuse the couple, so I find out how they intend to use the files, and then suggest the appropriate file type, size, etc.</p>

4X6, no dvd's. Often I make more money on reprints than the actual wedding.

<p>12 x 8 @ 240dpi jpeg ++ the RAWs</p>

<p>5x7...300dpi jpg...the least butchering and most commonly requested size for prints (from my experience)</p>

For me, this depends on package. Anything from web res (800x533px) to 8x12 inch@300dpi for my top end package. In all cases, they will have a folder with we-res files anyway, for ease of upload to send to friends, etc. but not printable.

<p>Not to sideline the conversation about size, etc., ... BUT with the images you need to provide proof that the couple has the rights to print the pictures. This has been an issue. Walmart, Walgreens, Costco, (name your local printer), all have refused to print my images on the clients' disk. Walmart even made me physically bring a letter with my signature stating that the client had authorization to do so.</p>

<p>I salute these outlets for protecting us photogs.</p>

<p>But how do you communicate that you gave the clients the rights to print?<br>

Bob</p>

<p>Bob...<br>

In regard to your question about how to communicate the right to print to the printers, I have a pdf file of my written permission that I include within the images of the cd/dvd I'm giving the client. That way, if they are at the printer they can simply open that file and see my letter or if they are sending to a printer they can include that pdf file along with their images to be printed. </p>

<p>deb</p>

<p>Deb, thanks for the idea.</p>

<p>-Doug</p>

<p>When I issue DVDs of image files for print, part of the casing artwork has my copyright notice/assigning limited printing rights to the bearer notice on it. I also mention there that the files are sized for best reproduction at 4x6 and warn not to exceed that size for quality issues, so that the printer heeds that warning (hopefully). <br /> <br /> My take is that we don't give these files out so that customers can print up whatever and do-it-themselves, as we're the artists, we should be able to create much better enlargements than customers left to their own devices or hang our heads in shame, and that these files are simply so that they may retain their images for posterity. That being said, in the event the customer says to themselves, I'll make my own prints thank you very much, they can make them... up to 4x6. <br /> <br /> But you know, even then, the feedback I've gotten is that these consumer minilabs have no clue as to how to make a decent print out of them.The clients aren't satisfied with what some clerk on a machine prints out for them. I would say, our job as professionals isn't about furnishing image files for their use anymore than it's a professional chef's job to give his customers raw ingredients to have them cook their own meals.</p>

<p>GE<br>

One of the best statements I have heard or read:<br>

>>"I would say, our job as professionals isn't about furnishing image files for their use anymore than it's a professional chef's job to give his customers raw ingredients to have them cook their own meals."</p>

<p>Exactly!!!</p>

<p>And to those that say "..but Fondue!" Even then the chef tells you what ingredients will be cooked together and in what type oil or sauce.</p>