Need Help: Cropping Shots & Ordering Enlargements?

[Beski]

I need some help....

I wanted to enlarge some of my shots and then frame them for my wife's office.

When I looked at an on-line site like Snapfish or Shutterfly, they have the standard choices of 8x10, 11x14, or 16x20. In each case, when I pick one of these sizes, my shot first needs to be cropped in order to "fit" into one of these sizes and by cropping, I am losing too much of my subject.

From what I understand, the normal progression of enlargments to keep the original 2:3 aspect ratio would be 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, 16x24 and 20x30. If that's the case, then 12x18 would be a perfect size, but I can't find a place that offers that size enlargement, or a store that sells that frame. I understand I can get into custom matting and custom framing, but I really wanted to keep it simple and somewhat cheap......just order a few enlargements and put them in simple black aluminum frames and hang them up !!

Am I missing something here with getting enlargements ?? What does everybody else do, what size do you get, where do you order from, and what type & size of frames and/or matts do you use ??

Thanks in advance for your help !
Beski

[ssim]

I looked at two labs that come to mind in the US. Both Mpix and WHCC offer the sizing that you are looking for.

The old standard enlargement sizing does not lend itself well to some of the sensor sizes of today's DSLR's. If I am shooting and I know that I am going to have a high probability of going to 8X10 then I try to leave enough room in the image so that I can crop to attain it. I know that you lose a good junk of your image but that is just the way it is right now. I think the new sizes that are more closely attuned to the aspect ratio of the sensors today will become the new standard over time.

I have seen some of these new frames in some odd places. We have a craft store in Canada called Michaels (not sure if it is in the US or not) and they have a huge selection of frames and mattes. I did see some in a Walmart but the selection was pretty skinny. I think your best bet is still a custom frame house.

[SWPhotoImaging]

Costco does 12x18 enlargements, for just $2.99 each.

I do a lot of 12x18 prints matted in 18x24 frames.

[Wilt]

The aspect ratio of 3:2 has existed since the 35mm film format came into being...more than 50 years of history! The standard photographic paper sizes existed for even longer! And so the dSLR, having the same aspect ratio as 35mm film, is not going to change things by itself. It took a very long time for even 8x12 prints to come into being after 4x6 snapshots becmme commonplace from 35mm negatives. The difference, I believe, will be in part determined by what drives digital printers...the letter size paper or the new sizes like 13x19.

[Beski]

Costco does 12x18 enlargements, for just $2.99 each.

I do a lot of 12x18 prints matted in 18x24 frames.

That's perfect and Exactly what I was looking for !!

So, I signed up for the Costco on-line photo account, uploaded the pictures I wanted to print, selected my enlargement size and finish, and then went to place my order before they informed me that I have to be a Costco Member :cry:

Oh Well.....Back to the Drawing Board !!

Keep those suggestions coming !!

[SWPhotoImaging]

That's perfect and Exactly what I was looking for !!

So, I signed up for the Costco on-line photo account, uploaded the pictures I wanted to print, selected my enlargement size and finish, and then went to place my order before they informed me that I have to be a Costco Member :cry:

Oh Well.....Back to the Drawing Board !!

Keep those suggestions coming !!

So join.
The membership fee will be saved on the first couple of enlargement orders.
Instead of $15 per print, you pay $3, that adds up fast.

[aaronmiller3]

You could also try americanframe.com You can upload your pic and design your frame online. Custom, standard, anything you want and shipping prices are great!!