Printing stress please help!!

[lockedillusions]

Ok so I keep trying to order prints online but the crop is much to tight and I lose the tops of heads or feet and what not.So my question is how do I solve this?
This is the size Im working with now and no go.
I order from mpix.com
width 800

height 1200

resolution 240

[ndsimm]

can we see the image in question?

[Daniel W.]

Sounds like your differing in aspect ratio? It depends on the size of the print.

Our sensors are built and shoot a 2:3 ratio (aka the golden ratio), whilst the "traditional" prints are not. For instance you can print a 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, without losing anything because they are all 2:3, but the traditional 3x5, 5x7, 8x10, are not 2:3 , therefore cropping is involved.

So you can either crop before hand to fit one of the ratios (3:5 is different from 5:7, which is different from 8:10, so it's a mess of options), or you can print at the 2:3 ratio prints.

Ordering from Mpix is not a differentiator, this will be a problem at any lab, also I'd be worried about printing anything larger than an 8x10 with 800 on the short side, I guess that's just me.

[lockedillusions]

Sure here it is

[rbalcom]

Dan gave you the explanation and you did not say what size you were trying to print. To expand on Dan's answer, printing an 8" x 10" of your image requires that you cut about 16.7% off the height. Since most labs center the image, you will get 8% cut off the top and bottom. If you crop the image you can decided what part of the image to loose.

If you print at a 5" x 7", the crop will be on the sides rather than the top and bottom. You will loose about 7% of the image, which if you center it will loose about 3.5% from each side. For your image, that would preserve the subject.

Understanding these ratios will allow you to frame your subject to leave space for the image to be cropped. The best solution is to plan for printing when you take the image.

Hope this helps expand on Dan's answer.

[venchka]

I find that my 35mm full frame images crop very nicely to 5x7.

[J Eddington]

When you take a photo with your rebel the size of the photo is 14.4x9.6.
If you were to print to that size and put it in a 8x10 mat you should be seeing what the lab is printing.
I don't want my photos cropped like that. If what I took in camera is what I want. I take a new document that is the size I want printed and drop the photo onto it. You will now have extra white borders either top or sides. I then cut my mat to fit the frame and the photo.
Or you can do as other suggested and crop so you get what you want.
Just different options. OR choose a print size that fits your photo better. Mpix offers a 9x12 and a 10x15, which are both closer to the size that your photo comes out of the camera with less or no lose of your photo.

[andyz]

And for getting it "right" in camera for an 8x10, isn't this where crop lines on the focus screen would come in handy? Without them, I think you shoot with a gap in mind, not filling the frame.

[johnastovall]

Why let paper size dictate the crop? Crop for the image not the paper. That's what using the full frame with in camera composition is all about. Work to educate your clients about this.

johnastovall added 1 Minutes and 24 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

Sounds like your differing in aspect ratio? It depends on the size of the print.

Our sensors are built and shoot a 2:3 ratio (aka the golden ratio), whilst the "traditional" prints are not. For instance you can print a 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, without losing anything because they are all 2:3, but the traditional 3x5, 5x7, 8x10, are not 2:3 , therefore cropping is involved.

So you can either crop before hand to fit one of the ratios (3:5 is different from 5:7, which is different from 8:10, so it's a mess of options), or you can print at the 2:3 ratio prints.

Ordering from Mpix is not a differentiator, this will be a problem at any lab, also I'd be worried about printing anything larger than an 8x10 with 800 on the short side, I guess that's just me.

Some sensor are built to a 2:3 ration and some aren't. Just like films.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by rbalcom

Understanding these ratios will allow you to frame your subject to leave space for the image to be cropped. The best solution is to plan for printing when you take the image.

*ooh... mental note made!

[ZONE]

Brittany thats a lovely shot.

[S-Man]

Originally Posted by lockedillusions

Sure here it is

That is a nice shot. Looks like it won't fit on an 8x10 though without significant cutting of the feet. I'd suggest printing an 8x12.
I also have to remember to leave room many times. I'm in the habit of filling the frame.

[marcosb]

real nice photo brittany