request for images in .eps format

Just did a a corporate photoshoot - headshots and groupshots. They want the the files in .eps format. I can do that as they are currently in PS but is there any advantage to them over high resolution jpegs or are they just repeating something a graphic designer said?

uhh..unless you have some magical camera that shoots in vector format I can't see any reason why they would need this. Would it hurt to ask why they need it in eps?

Yes.

Remember that just because your client is "important", it doesn't mean they know what they are talking about. Office folks are just normal people and most normal people don't know much about photography.

Sometimes educating is part of the job. Do it in a kind and friendly way that makes their life easier, and you'll get repeat business.

Provide it because they asked for it.

the client isn't always right, but the client is always the client.

if they want it in .eps, provide it in .eps

Educate your customer. Send them this link, and tell them a jpeg or tiff is more appropriate. Tell them images a delivered in jpeg format, and they'll be charged for non-standard work.

To the OP. Thought that you might like to read this. I work with designers everyday and some prefer EPS and some prefer tiffs and some I can send JPGs to. I'd send'm what they asked for.

http://desktoppub.abou​t.com …mats/a/graphicf​ormats.htm

I've been in graphics for over 25 years and I can't think of any reason why they would NEED .eps files, but if they want them why not just give them what they want. If you want to go above and beyond the call of duty provide in .eps AND whatever file format you think would be better.

For the time that it takes to convert, Just send both .Jpeg and .eps

LONDON808 wrote in post #13442790
For the time that it takes to convert, Just send both .Jpeg and .eps

Actually they want eps and pdf (that would be a jpeg in a pdf wrapper!!) Apparently the eps requirement comes from their graphics department in their nationwide head office, so rather than take on city hall I'll give them what they are asking for. I didn't specify file format in the contract as I've never met anyone who wasn't happy with either Jpeg or TIFF. But in future contracts...

Thank you for all your comments

Frugal wrote in post #13443210
Actually they want eps and pdf (that would be a jpeg in a pdf wrapper!!) Apparently the eps requirement comes from their graphics department in their nationwide head office, so rather than take on city hall I'll give them what they are asking for. I didn't specify file format in the contract as I've never met anyone who wasn't happy with either Jpeg or TIFF. But in future contracts...

Thank you for all your comments

Good call!!!!

I have two suggestions. One for you and another for your client.

By default converting to PDF will re-compress the original JPG and thus will degrade the quality of it. So you need to "uncheck" compression and store the original in PDF.

The second suggestion is that they should stop call it a "graphic department."

"are they just repeating something a graphic designer said?"

They may be mis-interpreting something a graphic designer said.

I own a printing business. We frequently have problems with clients submitting jpegs (often 72dpi) for images that should be a vector file, a logo for example, so we'll ask for the original eps version. We're usually dealing with someone who's not knowledgeable about these things, and not communicating our needs accurately to their graphics person. I did in one case get a direct email from a designer asking why I requested a photo in eps format - I didn't, but somehow that's how the request had been delivered.

Being in the print and publishing profession for the past 15 years I can say that eps is a more valid format than jpg when dealing with print products. There could be a number of reasons why this format is required. Could be as simple as printer workflow/prepress rules that reject jpgs. Could be that the Graphics department uses certain plug ins that will only work with eps or tif. Could be a legacy file issue, a rip issue, or any number of other client requirements.
The publisher I work for requires all native format files as of 2 years ago. Prior to that if was eps for vector art and tif for raster images. There are many small mom and pop shops that still use the older formats as well. I wouldn't be so quick to assume the designer is ignorant.

Most modern shops have upgraded to a native format and/or PDF workflow. For a corporate client that is paying for your service, you should submit them as requested.

You're right - a properly prepared eps is more suitable for print products. But we don't talk about print products, we talk about photos that will be taken by a designer and then used in a project - which only then will be converted to a prepress ready format - PDF, EPS, TIFF, or whatever. This is the designer's responsibility. Photos should be in the native format or in a format without compression to retain quality.
If a graphics department requested those photos, I assume they will use them in a design project and won't go to a shop for prints.

You're also right that if a client pays for the process - you should give him what he wants.