Need some printing help please... before photo comp

[Kaye]

Hi all,

I am not all that knowledgeable on the printing side and generally use one of our big stores here in Sydney.

I am entering a photo competition here in just over two weeks, and am currently printing off 6 X 4inch (standard) shots just to see colour, and how they fit, in order to make a few final choices.

As most of you know, I do borders around most of my shots. (We are allowed borders in this competition). I would particularly like to keep some of the border in most shots, as all photos are to be mounted on WHITE foam board, and preferably with a WHITE mat or mount at front. (I would have preferred black).

MY PROBLEM IS: When I print copies, "the printer" at store gives me an option to crop or not to crop.
They are automatically set to crop to a certain size (or perhaps to a certain pixel size, not sure).
This cuts off a reasonanble percentage of the shot both top and bottom (landscape).
When I choose the "NO CROP" option, I get all of the shot, but it misses part of the top and bottom border, but shows full border on the sides.

Does anyone know if there is anyway around this.
Should I resize before printing ?? But this will take away clarity when enlarged!??

[kinetic]

Hi Kaye, just use this link to solve your print problem.

http://www.camerahacker.com/Techniques/Print_Crop_Tool/index.shtml

Mark

[Kaye]

Mark, I have just quickly checked out the link you gave me thanks. I am hurrying, as you are still online.
Do I have to download something, or can this work with PS4??

[kinetic]

Use the onscreen page to type in your pixel diminution and you intended print size, and in the window just below this it will tell you what your new size and resolution will need to be.
Mark

[Kaye]

I know I am blonde, but which is my onscreen page. Am I in PS or .... ??

[kinetic]

Kay on the file menu in PS go to image then down to image size, select this and when it opens take a note of you pixel dimensions.
Go to the web link I gave you and type your pixel dimensions in the width and height boxes then just below this type your intended print size, which I think you were looking at 6” x 4”.
The box below this will now give you the pixel dimensions and resolution that you will need to crop you photo back in PS, to get a 6” x 4” print all on the paper.
Mark

[Kaye]

Thanks so much Mark, now it makes more sense. I was trying to rush and did not have time to experiment.
You are always so helpful, and I was hoping that it was you to respond to my post, as I knew you would know the answer.

I am hoping to find a way to do many at once, but will try to work this out.

Thanks again, you are so kind.

[kinetic]

Hi Kaye, and you are very welcome.
I am so glad you are getting a chance to display your work in a competition.
You are now in the realms of the finished product arena, where presentation is everything.
Spend good time preparing you best work and catch the judges eye.
What is the print size to be for your entry?

Mark

[Kaye]

Thanks Mark. I have so many to choose from, that is the time consuming bit.

Anyway, PRINT SIZE for competition is 8 X 12 inch. Can be larger, but must fit on A3 size foam board which measures around 12.5 X 16.5 inches. (Most entrants will do 8 X 12).

I can only submit 2 per category (3 categories), but am initially printing off lots of 4 X 6 to see colour and fit. The colour has changed at my regular store where I print, so may try another.

[kinetic]

What about printing them you’re self to ensure you get them looking just the way you want.
If not you should ask the shop if they could give you a copy of their printer profile so you can proof them in PS prior to having them printed.
Mark

[Kaye]

Mark, my colour printer is not up to that quality.
Thanks for the idea about a printer profile or proof, but colours may still look different on screen.

After all your kind help, what I think I will do is select around 8 shots to resize as you said above, and print them off in 4 X 6. If colour and fit is good, I will again resize my 6 entry shots to fit 8 X 12.

Thanks Mark for all the time you have given me. Much appreciated.