Starting from your original what steps do you take to prepare images for printing?
This question has NOTHING to do with scaling, proper dpi settings, or proper aspects for making a quality printable image. John Setzler created an excellent tutorial that explains all of that:
//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=10
This has to do with how, when and in what order post processing steps should be performed or even if they should be performed at all.
I am interested in comments from professional photographers and serious DPC members on how they apply post processing to minimize image quality loss at larger sizes when preparing prints for sale.
Here are the steps as I see them:
1-Start with a quality original image (or images)...
Combine cropping the original image to setting the desired print aspects. Scale to the desired print size(s). Save each one as a .tiff or .psd. (Never, ever .jpg!)
2-Apply post processing...
such as color adjustments, image cleanup, cloning and image manipulations like sky replacements and such to the scaled print sized image to create the final raw print and save that as new document. Also save the adjustment files for each print so you can tweak the image later or quickly reapply from the original again if needed.
3-Crop and apply any sharpening or USM...
and save as a final file for actual printing (.tiff and/or .jpg) as the last step.
Obviously, you want to start with a quality image to reduce the need for post processing but there is always going to be some, particularly if you are going to be creative with image manipulation to construct dramatic prints.
Also, you want to keep any sharpening or USM to a minimum.
Your comments are appreciated.
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