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Dear Subscriber,
Summer is that wonderful time of the year when it's easy to take great outdoor pictures.
Here are a some tips from writer and photographer Erin Manning on how you can turn your more artistic shots into Limited Edition Art Prints.
Erin's article is simple to understand and a fast read. I've added a few technical tips to hers for more advanced photographers.
Enjoy your Summer!
Dale
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 Tip #1: You Need High Resolution For Exhibition Prints
Use Photoshop's or Photoshop Elements' Image Size... window to do the ppi calculations for you. Make sure that you have 300 ppi at the print size you're planning to print.
If you're using iPrints.com for your prints you can just use our green bars to be sure you have proper resolution for printing to any given size.
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Tip #2: Use Your Camera's Highest Image Quality Setting
Set your camera’s image quality at the highest resolution possible. This setting is found in your camera’s menu.
A high resolution image gives you the creative freedom to adjust and crop without losing so many pixels as to reduce the quality of your print.
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Tip #3: Use A Low ISO Speed Whenever Possible
A good rule of thumb is to set your ISO to 100 or 200.
If you’re shooting in a low light situation without flash, raise your ISO to allow for a faster shutter speed and reduced blur (400-1600).
Keep in mind that a higher ISO can translate into discolored pixels appearing in your image, also known as “noise.”
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Tip #4: Try Using Your Camera's Creative Modes
Get out of Automatic Mode.
By shooting in one of the Creative Modes you'll have more control over your camera and the resulting image.
For example, Sports Mode allows you to capture the action by automatically using a faster shutter speed. Close-up Mode lets you get really close for flower shots and similar pictures.
Experiment with various modes to see what they can do for your pictures.
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Tip #5: Don't Be Afraid To Use Your Camera's Manual Mode
If your background is brighter than your subject, you may need to shoot in Manual Mode and adjust your shutter speed and aperture for the best exposure.
We'd suggest spot metering and then bracketing a series of exposures to get the effect you're looking for.
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Tip #6: Personal Art Is All About Your Subject
Select a subject.
Whether it’s a person, place, or thing choose something that is meaningful and beautiful to you.
Your love of the subject matter will come through in your pictures!
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Tip #7: Composition Is Always the Key to Great Photographs
Compose your image and play with scale, the rule of thirds and line.
For example, a diagonal line draws the viewer's eye through the scene and creates a dynamic feel to the image.
Then, experiment with a series of shots.
Photograph your subject from a variety of different angles using various techniques and camera setting combinations.
You may not know which shot is the best when you're shooting. You'll have time to decide that later.
Always bear in mind that you can't print a picture you haven't taken!
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Tip #8: Remember Aspect Ratios
- A full frame camera image will not print well on the short rectangular ratio of an 8" x 10". So, when taking your pictures try to visualize your image through to the final size you'll want printed.
- Give yourself extra creative latitude when you take your pictures. Align your shots so that pictures will look good either on full frame sizes like 8" x 12", 12" x 18" and 20" x 30" or on the traditional artistic ratios of 8" x 10", 11" x 14" and 20" x 24".
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Tip #9: Choose A Paper Surface That's Best For Your Subject
Different photographic papers work well with certain subjects:
- Lustre (Matte) photographic paper is excellent for artistically rendering subtle motifs.
- Glossy paper gives impact to strong colors and compositions.
- Metallic paper gives your pictures an almost three-dimensional look. It is ideal for very brightly colored subjects or for striking black and white.
- We can canvas texture any of these papers in our laboratory for a very interesting artistic look. (Just indicate canvas texturing in Special Instructions when you place your order on iPrints.com.)
Printing your photograph onto real canvas with a Giclée process is an easy way to turn almost any picture into a work of art. We're now offering canvas printing on mail-in orders from digital media. Please call us for details at
(800) 327-1776
(800) 327-1776.
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Tip #10: Sign and Number Your Art Prints
Sign your print. Limited edition prints are normally signed and numbered by the artist, for example 1/25. You can use pencil for art paper Giclées but we recommend a Sharpie type pen for photographs.
The first number is the number of the print itself. The second number is the number of overall prints you plan to print of that image.
To add value to your picture we'd suggest matting and framing. Work out a good price with a local framer. You'll be amazed at how much more impressive your pictures will look when they're well framed.
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Have Fun Taking Your Pictures!
Taking outstanding art pictures is not all that different from your other photography.
It all comes down to seeing...and enjoying...the beautiful world around you.
Even if you never sell a single print you'll still have the special experience of interacting with your subjects in a very meaningful way.
When you're ready to make your prints please be sure to think of us. We'll give you the professional print quality that can turn a good photograph into a beautiful work of art.
You snap the pictures ... we'll do the rest!
Best wishes,
Dale
Dale Farkas
President, iPrints.com & iPrintsPro.com
(Online services of Dale Laboratories)
Questions? Call
(800) 327-1776
(800) 327-1776. We're here to help!
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