Downsizing

[sanfairyanne]

If I make a photo at 3:2 resolution through stitch photography that has a size of say 10000megapixels that file could create a very large print at native resolution. Let's say at 300dpi the print size might be 80 inches down the longest side. If I only want a 40 inch print I assume I should just print at 600dpi. But what if I only need a 16"x24" print.
I should point out that I am not currently making 1000mp images. I just need to know the implications of doing this because I don't want my printer to throw his hands up in disgust. Many thanks in advance.

 

[ancient_mariner]

Most image processing software has a tool to adjust output size and resolution when exporting. I would output at 300ppi and tell it what size I wanted the final image.

So your 16*24 print file would be 4800*7200ppi regardless what size you started with.

 

[sanfairyanne]

Thank you, I wonder if I could just print at a higher dpi, for example 1200dpi and if doing so maybe get higher resolution?

 

[ancient_mariner]

Thank you, I wonder if I could just print at a higher dpi, for example 1200dpi and if doing so maybe get higher resolution?

Talk to your printer and see what they can do. 300ppi is the standard for normal prints, and grain/noise/pixels are normally invisible from more than about 12 inches.

 

[sanfairyanne]

Thank you I will be in the city soon so I will ask if a printer can print at 600+native DPI. If you wanted to put your nose up to a print then 600 or higher DPI would, I assume, be important.

 

[ancient_mariner]

TBH it's probably about what your lens can resolve as much as anything. I was looking at a 20X30 print earlier, and I'd say that the camera had run out of resolution before the individual pixels showed up. That's not necessarily a problem with a large composite image of course, but I *suspect* there's little to be gained printing at extremely high resolution.

Do let us know what you find out.