Photo Ratios and LifePics Ordering.
The Problem.
Different size prints have different aspect ratios. An aspect ratio is a measurement of an images height in relation to its width, or its proportions.
For example, a 4x6 proof has a height / width ratio of 1 to 1.5 (meaning it's 50% longer one way than it is the other).
An 8x10 though is only 1 to 1.25 (it's just 25% longer than the shorter side). The same is true for 11x14 prints - they have a ratio of 1 to 1.27 - not much different than an 8x10.
A 5x7 enlargement is a little better with a ratio of 1 to 1.4, but you still loose some of the picture when comparing it to a 4x6 proof.
To the right you'll see a 4x6 proof. When it's "blown up" to 8x10, you actually see less of the picture, even though the picture is printed in a larger format. By printing this photo as an 8x10, we've lost nearly 20% of the original proof!
When ordering an enlargement from a 4x6 proof, you have to be aware of this.
The Solution.
The LifePics system that we use here at NewfoundlandWedding.com uses 4x6 proofs. However, this problem is addressed by allowing you to specify how you want a photo printed (cropped) whenever you order an enlargement that has different proportions than a 4x6.
If you've ordered an 5x7, 8x10 or 11x14 you'll see the screen below at the beginning of the Checkout process.
Depending on the picture, Crop Option 1 may chop off part of the photo that you want. For example, that could be a person standing on the end in a group shot. Or, in our example to the right, the top of Heather's head would be chopped off. Crop Option 1 (Auto Crop) = Not good.
Crop Option 2 will not chop off the photo at all, but will fill either side with "white space". Crop Option 2 (White Space) = Better, but still not perfect.
Crop Option 3 (Manual Crop) is your best option. This will allow you to position a box over each enlargement that needs to be cropped. We've used this option in the sample photo - we moved the box up just enough to ensure that the top of Heather's head stays on.
The same idea applies to portrait photos (vertical, like our sample above) as well as landscape photos (horizontal, as in the screen shot below). The whole process takes just a minute or two, and you'll be sure to get the picture you want!
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