Print size

Barney

Barney

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What is the equivalent print size of the images that view on the screen?
 
Depends on the screen resolution, screen size and what level of DPI you're happy printing at.
 
Nod said:
Depends on the screen resolution, screen size and what level of DPI you're happy printing at.
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is there some kind of formula?
 
Simple guide is to work around 300 dpi for print.

To work out the size you divide the image pixel lengths by 300.. bigger prints from longer viewing distances can use lower dpi.

So if you have an image 6000 x 4000 pixels you can print 20" x 13.3"

(6000/300 = 20)

You can print bigger if you wish, the 'sharpness' you're happy with is a personal thing.

Print media can also effect sharpness.
 
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Many years ago, I heard a fellow photographer, at a press call, say to another photographer: "Sharpness is a bourgeois concept".

"So is pay," replied the other man, "and without one you don't get the other". :naughty:
 
Gav. said:
Simple guide is to work around 300 dpi for print.

To work out the size you divide the image pixel lengths by 300.. bigger prints from longer viewing distances can use lower dpi.

So if you have an image 6000 x 4000 pixels you can print 20" x 13.3"

(6000/300 = 20)

You can print bigger if you wish, the 'sharpness' you're happy with is a personal thing.

Print media can also effect sharpness.
Click to expand...


The 300 dpi figure is for prints held in the hand at up to arm's length. For wall mounted prints, you can get away with fewer dots per inch. Personally, I'm happy with A4 and bigger being at 200 dpi. Advertising hoardings look sharp enough at a distance, even at 1 or 2 dpi!
 
Should have made myself a little clearer, I meant a print made from a film negative
 
You can get a decent (not using a magnifying glass o_O ).... A4 colour print from an image 1800 X 1200px..done it quite a few times on my colour printer.
 
Barney said:
Should have made myself a little clearer, I meant a print made from a film negative
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35mm negs will print reasonably well up to A4 and well scanned slides will go up to A3 (best viewed at around 6' rather than arm's length!)

Files lifted from screen shots would need the permission of the poster before printing - even better, ask the poster for a price for the full size file or even a print.
 
Nod said:
35mm negs will print reasonably well up to A4 and well scanned slides will go up to A3 (best viewed at around 6' rather than arm's length!)
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Thanks

Would they be the same kind of quality as the digital uploads as seen on screen or better?
 
As with all things, it depends on many factors. A GOOD, high resolution scan of a GOOD neg or slide will look as good or better but less good sources probably won't. Monitors can also vary hugely in size, resolution and colour rendition.
 
Barney said:
Thanks

Would they be the same kind of quality as the digital uploads as seen on screen or better?
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I'm viewing this page on a 27" 1440P monitor, so an image around 1400PX on the long side would appear about the same size as an A4 sheet of paper. However a 1400PX long image wouldn't look as good printed on A4 as a full frame 35mm negative, and I would expect the negative print to carry more fine detail (depending on original image quality, how good the enlarger lens was - don't forget that) and possibly smoother tonal transition too.

However, to answer what may be an underlying question not yet asked about image quality. Prints and images viewed on a screen are fundamentally different, and this is important. A print is viewed by reflected light, but a screen image from transmitted light. This strongly affects apparent brightness and shadow detail, and also somewhat sharpness perceived from the contrast between areas of differing brightness/darkness. Screen images can often appear punchier and crisper because of this.
 
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ancient_mariner said:
I'm viewing this page on a 27" 1440P monitor, so an image around 1400PX on the long side would appear about the same size and an A4 sheet of paper. However a 1400PX long image wouldn't look as good printed on A4 as a full frame 35mm negative, and I would expect the negative print to carry more fine detail (depending on original image quality, how good the enlarger lens was - don't forget that too) and possibly smoother tonal transition too.

However, to answer what may be an underlying question not yet asked about image quality. Prints and images viewed on a screen are fundamentally different, and this is important. A print is viewed by reflected light, but a screen image from transmitted light. This strongly affects apparent brightness and shadow detail, and also somewhat sharpness perceived from the contrast between areas of differing brightness/darkness. Screen images can often appear punchier and crisper because of this.
Click to expand...
Thanks Toni !
 
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