Crossing all the T's

[printfan1138]

So what do I mean? Well....being the rookie printer/photographer I am I'm beginning to realize that good prints must start with good photographs. Before you say,"yeah..right",or "well...duh!",let me just point out that a lot of otherwise great photo's are printed with marginal or watered down digital information. Some have been taken in terrible lighting conditions yet others have very sparse pixel content etc! I've finally seen how the combination of fully working printer, quality inks and the correct papers can make a huge difference but am amazed by how often the actual digital photo content is compromised without an afterthought! I recently had an opportunity to print some really well done pictures that had really good digital content and the difference was huge! What have your experiences with this taught you?

 

[The Hat]

printfan1138


Never save your best pictures as JPEGs ever..

 

[qwertydude]

Jpeg's can look good. The camera has the biggest effect, I for one can't tell the difference between raw and the jpeg's in a print unless under magnification looking at certain types of patterns in certain very rare situations. But as I said quality-wise a good dslr camera will have much higher dynamic range, better color, a better lens always produces better pictures too. But a dslr won't take good pictures unless you know how to take a good picture in the first place. Many people think "I paid $1000, this is automatically going to take better pictures," They usually end up with worse pictures than if they just used their point and shoot.

These two pictures illustrate the perfect example. They were taken with a relatively old and now considered a cheap camera, an Olympus SP-350. I always liked it because it was one of the few inexpensive mini cameras that could use a hot-shoe flash. And the second one obviously was a bounce flash picture. A bad picture is a bad picture not usually because of jpeg or even the camera. 99% of the blame can usually be put on the photographer, in our case though I'll make an exception because bad ink or a bad profile will get you terrible colors.

 

[printfan1138]

Good point )The hat) and I also agree with qwertydude that a lot depends on the camera. I would like to add that the lighting is super important after all all camera's are basic "Light gatherers" and without the right light we can forget good pictures. Again I know I am stating the obvious but how many times have we waited for exactly the right lighting or the right time of day for a certain light? I'm the first to admit that I click away at whatever I see without much concern for lighting as a rule and that can be a good thing when some subjects present themselves at a certain moment that may not happen again anytime soon. An example is when we have been in a boat offshore where we live on the coast of California and a whale surfaces close by. We just click away like mad and are sure not concerned with the lighting details. Having said that I also have lately made an effort to choose my time and lighting conditions when possible and I love the storms that blow in when there is that moment when everything is wild and the waters are churning and suddenly a shaft of brilliant sunlight illuminates the scene like never before. You guys been there? Regards...printfan1138!