Concerned about sending requested hi-resolution files for publicity purposes...

<p>I'd appreciate experienced advice regarding how high of a quality image file you would give to a newspaper reporter for use in an online article and also, for additional related publicity uses. The article is a write-up of a group show for our multi-member art gallery which the reporter wants to do. The image is one of my very best depicting a quite unusual natural scene and I've spent much time with it in order to make the best print I can. I am one of the only photographer-members; most are painters who don't seem to have any qualms sending their high resolution files to the reporter for this article (or for any other gallery use, it seems), and without any watermarking whatsoever. <br /><br />I fear I am worrying too much as I'm sure these things are very likely done all the time in other situations, but I seem to remember many discussions in the past on photo.net that would seem to warrant caution- and my general instincts regarding putting any imagery online, agrees very much. But maybe I am going off the deep end in this case of a reporter requesting them for this specific usage? If so, I still have to resolve the issue of other gallery requests for <em>"large, hi-resolution"</em> image files for gallery publicity... Many thanks in advance if you can help and it would be great if you could also include specific sizing/quality settings you might recommend for jpegs intended for these uses.</p>

<p>Online photos don't have to be very big and are always jpegs. I seldom post anything larger than 900x1200 (in the highest jpeg setting) because I want it to fit on most people's monitors. If you're worried just ask for the specific size they want, and if the request is much beyond the range I mentioned then ask I'd why. </p>

<p>Thanks, Mike, but no security concerns at the size you mention and saved at the highest quality setting?</p>

<p>I guess because I sell large prints I don't mind if they want to print low resolution postcards of my work. At 300 dpi 900x1200 is just 3" x 4".</p>

<p>Thanks so much, Mike! I think that's what I needed to understand- much appreciated!</p>

<p>If you want experienced advice, I spent 15 years as a newspaper reporter/editor/photographer, and the 20 years since then on the public relations side of the news business dealing with newspapers every day,including supplying them with photos. If a newspaper wants to write about your work and publish a sample, you give them whatever they ask for and you thank them profusely. For most people it is the best marketing/promotion opportunity that will ever come your way. Nobody's going to show up at the gallery show if they don't know about it, and the news media is still how most people find out what's going on.<br /><br />If the reporter says the piece is only ever going to be online, then 900x1200 is fine. But if there is any chance at all that they are going to run it in their print edition, then they need a high resolution file. And since your gallery is asking for high resolution files for publicity -- which can mean sending them out to newspapers, printing brochures or flyers and other print use -- you need to be prepared for that as well.<br /><br />When a newspaper asks for high resolution, they generally mean a file that is at least 300 ppi at 8x10. That's 2400x3000, or 7.2 megapixels. They are not likely to print the image that large, and they can work from something smaller if they have to but that's what they like to have in hand. Jpg is fine, and if you are emailing it to them you can set the compression at 8 (on the scale of 1-12 in Photoshop) so the file size is about 1-1.5 mb.<br /><br />The newspaper has no interest in stealing your image, so don't worry about that. They are just doing their job, but if you want the publicity you have to give them the tools to do it.<br /><br />Congratulations on having work good enough that the newspaper wants to publish it and write about it and drive people to see your show. Good luck with the gallery show and hope you make some sales.</p>

<p>Thanks very much, Craig, and sorry for the late reply! Great information for me to know and I appreciate you sharing your excellent experience! I feel lucky to be in this gallery, and I'm sure it's their reputation that's attracted the reporter's attention, but thank you!</p>