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Considerations when selecting photo print sizes.

When choosing photograph prints sizes it helps to understand the different print sizes in relation to image size ratios. Most Tanami Photography photographs are captured with a 35 mm digital camera that captures images at a full frame size ratio of 3:2 (the ratio of 35 mm negative film or positive slide film). The size ratio (image proportion) is maintained when sizing prints so the photographic image isn’t distorted (stretched in width or height) in the final print.

Creating an uncropped print from an image captured with a 35 mm camera (ratio 3:2) usually allows for the print sizes:

4 in x 6 in (10 cm x 15 cm) – off the shelf standard framing size.
8 in x 12 in (20 cm x 30 cm) – usually custom framing.
12 in x 18 in (30 cm x 45 cm) – usually custom framing.
16 in x 24 in (40 cm x 60 cm) – usually custom framing.
Larger depending on the upper resolution limitations of the camera (mega pixel rating).

Tanami Photography uses 12 mega pixel cameras; depending on the quality of the original image it is common to obtain good photographic print quality at larger sizes such as 12 x 18 inch and 16 x 24 inch. The uncropped print sizes are usually the hardest to purchase off the shelf frames to fit the print. Usually the prints require custom cut framing by a professional, this is a more expensive framing option than purchasing an off the shelf frame.

Creating a cropped print from an image captured with a 35 mm camera (ratio 3:2) usually allows for the print sizes:

5 in x 7 in (12.5 cm x 17.5 cm) – off the shelf standard framing size.
8 in x 10 in (20 cm x 25 cm) – off the shelf standard framing size.
11 in x 14 in (27.5 cm x 35 cm) – off the shelf standard framing size.
11 in x 17 in (27.5 cm x 42.5 cm) – not a common off the shelf standard framing size.
16 in x 20 in (40 cm x 50 cm) – off the shelf standard framing size.

These sizes require part of the photograph to be cut away (cropped), as an example, an 8 x 10 inch print is just an 8 x 12 inch print with the photograph’s ends cut off. Many photographic images can’t be cropped because it would ruin the composition of the photograph – cuts off and discards parts of the photographic subject that are relevant. The cropped print sizes are usually the easiest to purchase off the shelf frames to fit the print – usually the most cost effective framing option.

When enlarging an image above sizes larger than 8 x 12 inch or 11x14 inch, the quality of the final print can suffer depending on the amount of detail captured in the original image. Some things that limit how large a captured image can be enlarged:

The resolution of the camera that captured the image.
The ISO (film speed or light sensitivity setting) for the captured image. As the ISO is increased more grain (pixel noise) is introduced in to the image. An ISO of 800 would be too grainy to produce a large print.
Overall image sharpness – in complete focus with good lighting.
The shutter speed for the captured image. An image taken at a very fast shutter speed, to freeze a fast moving subject, tends to limit the amount of photographic detail captured during exposure. These types of photographs may lose quality if printed too large.
The overall quality of the original image negative - raw (RAW, NEF, CRW) file or digital negative (DNG) file. High levels of digital image compression can discard useful image information (photographic detail).
The photographic subject and photograph composition. Not all photographs and their subjects work well at very large print sizes.

Things a customer should think about when choosing a photograph’s print size:

Where will the photograph be displayed? - ie. Framed on a wall, framed on a table or shelf, in a photo album, or in a scrapbook.
Will the photograph be framed using an off the shelf photo frame, or are you willing to spend extra to have the photograph framed by a professional to a custom print size?
If the photograph is going to be framed for a wall, is there enough clear space around the photograph to allow for the framing and any inserted mounting in the frame? - Mounting and framing can add a lot of height and width to a wall displayed photograph.
Is the photograph’s orientation, portrait (tall) or landscape (wide), suitable for the print size selected in relation to the style and space where the photograph will be displayed?

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