Newbie question re CDs for clients

I did an e-shoot recently(my 2nd). I gave client CD w edited images. (I know I shouldn't be doing that but I learned the hard way!) I gave full res files & did not resize. They're having issues printing & say that when they try to print their heads are cut off. I am assuming its b/c I didn't resize. What size should I be resizing too so they can print with no problems and how is it being done. Thank you!

You giving them Full Resolution has nothing to do with their heads being cut off when they print it. My guess is that you gave them in a certain aspect ratio (say 3:2), and they want to print it a 8x10 but are not cropping it properly.

It won't be the size, it will be the format.

Canon cameras shoot at 3:2 so natural print sizes are 6x4, 9x6, 12x8 etc. They are probably trying to make 8x10 prints, so 2 inches has to be cut off the ends. If you framed them really tightly, then something has to go.

You can suggest that they get them printed as 12x8, rather than 10x8, it makes it a little harder to find frames, but they are available from many places.

Forgive me if I'm totally not understanding (thats the newbie in me). And oh yes, I'm sorry, I do realize that the res has nothing to do with it. So what aspect ratio should I be giving them say to print up to an 8x10 or 16x20. I edit through LR3 but also have CS5 and is how is this done. Thank you again for your feedback.

HiepBuiPhotography wrote in post #16108437
You giving them Full Resolution has nothing to do with their heads being cut off when they print it. My guess is that you gave them in a certain aspect ratio (say 3:2), and they want to print it a 8x10 but are not cropping it properly.

Yes, its a shape thing. To restate what sandpiper said in different terms, the shape of the rectangles involved are different.

linda baca wrote in post #16108451
Forgive me if I'm totally not understanding (thats the newbie in me). And oh yes, I'm sorry, I do realize that the res has nothing to do with it. So what aspect ratio should I be giving them say to print up to an 8x10 or 16x20. I edit through LR3 but also have CS5 and is how is this done. Thank you again for your feedback.

If they want to print a 8x10 or 16x20, then you crop the photo to an aspect ratio of 4:5 or whatever factor of that aspect ratio (8:10, 12:15, 16:20, etc).

linda baca wrote in post #16108451
Forgive me if I'm totally not understanding (thats the newbie in me). And oh yes, I'm sorry, I do realize that the res has nothing to do with it. So what aspect ratio should I be giving them say to print up to an 8x10 or 16x20. I edit through LR3 but also have CS5 and is how is this done. Thank you again for your feedback.

Its probably easier to make them understand that when they have prints made they need to crop to make sure the files you gave them work out. For instance if left to their own devices many printers auto crop an 8x10 from a 2x3 (8x12) by cropping an inch from each end, or alternatively 2 inches from one end. If the client is using a print kiosk they can control the area that is cropped by simply electing to do so before they hit order. The problem is if you didnt shoot to allow for such cropping you wont have a satisfactory result.

I send everything to clients cropped (with good room around the edges of the subject) in an 11 x 15 aspect ratio. This size seems to do well with all of the popular print sizes that they may choose. No matter what the ratio is, you'll have to tell them, during the ordering process, they will probably have to adjust the cropping themselves on each image so that heads are within the crop ratio they chose for printing. It sounds like they may not have done that.

So they may have gone to a lab and just ordered an 8x10 of a pix without actually cropping it themselves or they would have seen if the crop was okay or not, right? Am I understanding this correctly? I just don't want them to be disappointed with me but will explain to them and try not to sound ignorant. Client asked if for wedding pictures they can get the "Original" files but I don't think they understand that I did give them the original files on CD. (not raw, but jpegs). Thank you again for your help.

P.S. so b/f exporting from LR3 I need to choose the aspect ratio for appropriate printing? I have seen that tab ini LR3. Again, thank you

gonzogolf wrote in post #16108465
Its probably easier to make them understand that when they have prints made they need to crop to make sure the files you gave them work out. For instance if left to their own devices many printers auto crop an 8x10 from a 2x3 (8x12) by cropping an inch from each end, or alternatively 2 inches from one end. If the client is using a print kiosk they can control the area that is cropped by simply electing to do so before they hit order. The problem is if you didnt shoot to allow for such cropping you wont have a satisfactory result.

yes I agree, I think they may have just blindly ordered a certain size instead of cropping the pix themselves. So I can do that aspect ratio in LR3 or CS5. I mostly used LR3. Thank you for your help.

PicBug wrote in post #16108474
I send everything to clients cropped (with good room around the edges of the subject) in an 11 x 15 aspect ratio. This size seems to do well with all of the popular print sizes that they may choose. No matter what the ratio is, you'll have to tell them, during the ordering process, they will probably have to adjust the cropping themselves on each image so that heads are within the crop ratio they chose for printing. It sounds like they may not have done that.

linda baca wrote in post #16108451
So what aspect ratio should I be giving them say to print up to an 8x10 or 16x20. I edit through LR3 but also have CS5 and is how is this done. Thank you again for your feedback.

The problem is, we have a range of "standard" print sizes, and they are not all the same ratio.

You can make your files 5:4 ratio for 10x8, 20x16 etc. and that will also work for smaller prints such as 5x4. However, what if they then decide to do a medium size print and want an 8x6 (4:3 ratio) or a 7x5 (7:5 ratio) or they may want to go bigger and get a 30x20 canvas done, which takes you back to 3:2 and the full image, as shot.

Whatever ratio you provide, it will only work for certain print sizes and be wrong for others. You need to provide the full frame, as shot, but make sure that your clients know that they need to get it printed somewhere they can decide the area which gets cropped out on other ratios, such as 10x8, or at least send it somewhere where a real person prints it, and will make a sensible crop, not just where a machine will automatically chop off a set amount from one / both end(s).

You also need to have left a little space at the ends of the image (the top / bottom in portrait orientation) to allow some unneeded area for cropping. If you frame too tightly, then you will lose something vital (such as part of the subject) when those two inches are removed for a 10x8.

linda baca wrote in post #16108489
So they may have gone to a lab and just ordered an 8x10 of a pix without actually cropping it themselves or they would have seen if the crop was okay or not, right? Am I understanding this correctly? I just don't want them to be disappointed with me but will explain to them and try not to sound ignorant. Client asked if for wedding pictures they can get the "Original" files but I don't think they understand that I did give them the original files on CD. (not raw, but jpegs). Thank you again for your help.

P.S. so b/f exporting from LR3 I need to choose the aspect ratio for appropriate printing? I have seen that tab ini LR3. Again, thank you

Yes, if they dont crop, it will be done for them as going 8x12 (native format) into 8x10 will involve cropping. As mentioned above if you didnt shoot loose for cropping to 8x10 (essentially filling the frame) then that crop from 8x12 to 8x10 will loose essential image elements. You cant account for every size they might want to crop so you must frame a bit loose when you shoot to account for this. You cant just simply change the aspect ratio on export as that might just stretch pixels to fit, you need to either teach the client (simplest) or go in and crop a duplicate of each image in LR so that they have an 8x10 version of each file.

linda baca wrote in post #16108489
P.S. so b/f exporting from LR3 I need to choose the aspect ratio for appropriate printing? I have seen that tab ini LR3. Again, thank you

I hope that by "that tab" you are referring to the right thing. It is not a "tab"; it is done with the Crop Tool that is the tool at the left end of the tool bar under the histogram.

Are you referring to LR? or PS? I'm sorry, I don't have my laptop with me so I will have to check when I get home. Again, thank you.

tzalman wrote in post #16108710
I hope that by "that tab" you are referring to the right thing. It is not a "tab"; it is done with the Crop Tool that is the tool at the left end of the tool bar under the histogram.

Ms. Baca,
Most of my clients and all the ones so far this year have opted for my DVD set instead of prints. So much so, I now offer a Slide Show DVD option.
I use LR5 and when I make a DVD, I make everything 1920x1080, 72 and optimize for screen. No watermark. This is automatic in LR5. (Under Export)
I make sure I give a warning that if they select this DVD option, the photos may not make good prints.
I think people are doing more social media and less prints and that has inspired the change. So far I have not had any complaints but you must be sure they understand, prints may not look like the screen!