Need Help on a Bid

[Daylon]

Greets all -

I was recently contacted by a friend of mine who wants me to shoot something that can be blown up and put on the side of a truck. They sent me this picture as an example..



I have no experience with this - I can take the picture, sure, but what do I need to do to get it to that size? We're talking 20 FEET by 6 feet or so (estimating).

Not sure what to charge either. They want one or two images.

I mean, if this is going to be on several trucks what should I be estimating?

Shoot time - 1-2 hours = $100-$200?
License for Image - ??? (no idea)
Post processing to get to "truck size" - ???? (no idea)

If I shoot RAW on my D200 to get the image - hopefully that output should be sufficient quality for the "base" image. Anyone have software they could use to blow up the image for me? Estimate to do that?

Thanks for your help - just not sure what to charge. Don't want to scare em off with a high $$$ but don't want to screw myself by under-bidding a project of this size.

D.

[David Whatley]

I think you are going to be shooting film in a large format. Check with a Lab for their recomendation.

[Gambit]

You got me thinking - I wonder just how crappy a 1400x800 pixel image (or thereabouts - large screen size) would look all stretched to heck like that? Assuming that the software used to blow it up did halfway reasonable interpolation.

But back on topic, I think a good place to start checking is find out what kind of end product you need, THEN figure out how to get there. So you need to talk to someone who puts pics on trucks well before you start getting your hands on specialized equip. And before that, what exactly does the client want you to deliver - a file on CD, a big honking negative, a truck, or other???

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

I think you are going to be shooting film in a large format. Check with a Lab for their recomendation.

I doubt most people who shoot for these use large format film...but a 16.7MP 1DsMark III wouldn't hurt. I would recommend looking into renting one for the shoot if you don't have one. Something that big that is meant to be viewed from somewhat of a distance doesn't need to be tack sharp. As far as the price...don't get me lying.

[CaptainTom]

It won't be up to you to upsize the image.
You provide the absolutely tightest image you can, and the graphics people will usize it for their needs.

Shooting with a high MP camera would be a tremendous help, but I have seen billboard size shots (my own) upsized from a basic 8mp shot.
Pricing? One truck or a hundred ?

[KdLaneJr]

Ouch, There used to be a site called http://interpolatethis.com/ that had information on special software that can take a 4mp image and put it on the side of a 52' trailer. Unfortunately they have closed the site.

I'll dig through the rest of my links and see if I have anything related.

Ken

[KdLaneJr]

Checking out a google cached site revealed that the interpolation software program I was trying to locate for S-Spline 2. (Now known as photozoom pro 2)

You can see a comparison of the latest interpolation software at the following site.

http://www.americaswonderlands.com/d...erpolation.htm

[zepp]

Tom is right about letting the graphics people at the sign company up size the image. Worry more about producing an exceptional image for them to work with. Supply it to them in an uncompressed file format unsharpened. No need to use film. I've had billboard sized images from an older 4 megapixel Canon 1D and banners on the sides of buildings from 8 megapixel Canon 1DMII.

[KdLaneJr]

You can get a trial version of PhotoZoom Pro 2 at http://www.benvista.com/main/content...photozoompro_1

If your client will tell you which company is producing the wrap for the truck, then you (hopefully) can contact them and find out what resolution and file size they need the image in. On the other hand, you might not have to worry about handling the upsizing at all if truck company already has a sign company in mind that can upsize the image and create the wrap.

The article that I mentions previously on the now defunct interpolatethis.com discussed an image taken with a Canon D60 and upsized to go on the side of a tractor trailer. It also mentioned the image being so realistic (it was of the tractor trailer combo) that it had to be softened to ensure it would not "scare" other drivers when they noticed it.

FWIW, I do hope this helps you to narrow down your pricing.

The wraps used on BassBoats these days cost upwards of $5000.00 I don't have any idea what the wrap for a truck costs.

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Ouch, There used to be a site called http://interpolatethis.com/ that had information on special software that can take a 4mp image and put it on the side of a 52' trailer. Unfortunately they have closed the site.

I'll dig through the rest of my links and see if I have anything related.

Ken

Seems I spoke to soon. The main page for the site is closed. You can read the article I referred to previously at this link http://www.interpolatethis.com/reallife1.html

It might not help to answer your questions, but it is definitely an interesting read.

Ken