Hoping for some input on a job I have coming up. I've been asked to shoot a family portrait(Grandpa/Gma, 4 children w/spouses, + 12 grandkids(ages 2-14)). The portrait will be taken outdoors, in the late afternoon. Grandma wants to replace the portrait above their fireplace; it is 30x40 canvas and is mounted approx 7' above the floor.
I really want to do a great job for them and deliver a good product as they are like an uncle/aunt to my wife and I.
If she wants a canvas print, then no problem as they look great at 150dpi. But, if she prefers photographic paper, what then? I figure viewing distance after hanging is minimum 4'.
Planning on using my 17-40 lens but not at the wide end to avoid distortion. I'll rent equipment if necessary... Posing 22? Yikes!
TO give you an idea, I've taken a crop from a 1DMKIIn @3200 ISO and had it printed on photographic paper @ 20X30, I've also done a full frame shot from the lowly 4MP 1D @ 20X30 ISO 800. With proper uprezzing done by the printer it wont be an issue to go much larger then what you are suggesting. One thing to remember, focus needs to be dead on, and it will show any weakness in your lens.
30x40 is doable for a 5D with upsizing until you compare it to a MF 30x40. Since I doubt they will have such a picture right next to it, I think you could get away with it.
If it's on canvas, I wouldn't even think twice.
If it's on paper it will probably be mildly "soft" (or whatever term you want to use), but I bet they will be happy with it.
The easiest thing to do is take a picture you already have, upsize it in CS2 (as an example), crop an 8x10 or 11x14 of an important part, and view it from different distances. That will give you a good live preview. If you get the real image upsized at the printer, it won't be worse and may even be better.
The easiest thing to do is take a picture you already have, upsize it in CS2 (as an example), crop an 8x10 or 11x14 of an important part, and view it from different distances. That will give you a good live preview. If you get the real image upsized at the printer, it won't be worse and may even be better.
The easiest thing to do is take a picture you already have, upsize it in CS2 (as an example), crop an 8x10 or 11x14 of an important part, and view it from different distances. That will give you a good live preview. If you get the real image upsized at the printer, it won't be worse and may even be better.
Thanks everyone. It'll be my largest print to date. I think they will go with canvas even though it is more expensive. I'll steer them that way and I know $$ isn't an issue for them. Is there a formula for acceptable resolution at a given viewing distance? I realize "acceptable" is subjective but... I'm usually a harsher critic than my customers.
Rule of Thumb is that the minimum viewing distance is the diagonal of the print involved. But that's pretty close. Yours at 7 feet should be no problem at all.
I do this all the time. Yes, it's a bit softer, but hey... Print a 35mm negative well focus and exposed to this size and you're goingo to be surprized for the softness.
Regarding print resolution for this big don'g get over the 200 dpi mark. Probably 150 is ok for this size, specially if it's canvas where talking about. Because is better to have some softness that you won't see at normal viewing distances, than having hard edges and artifacts due to heavy interpolating to get the size you want.
And please interpolate the first bit direcly from the raw file. Go to Lightroom and export it bigger than the original. Its better than exporting it with normal size and interpolate from it.
Just make shure you're focus is dead on, and the exposure is perfect out of the camera, because tweackling with exposure for big prints can make big surprises.
If you are willing to rent equipment rent two strobes to get extra sharpness and even exposure of your subjects. Two Bowens 500 or something similar would be enough for fill in and gert a bit more control over the final result. And keep your lens limited to the 40mm end.
I do this all the time. Yes, it's a bit softer, but hey... Print a 35mm negative well focus and exposed to this size and you're goingo to be surprized for the softness.
Regarding print resolution for this big don'g get over the 200 dpi mark. Probably 150 is ok for this size, specially if it's canvas where talking about. Because is better to have some softness that you won't see at normal viewing distances, than having hard edges and artifacts due to heavy interpolating to get the size you want.
And please interpolate the first bit direcly from the raw file. Go to Lightroom and export it bigger than the original. Its better than exporting it with normal size and interpolate from it.
Just make shure you're focus is dead on, and the exposure is perfect out of the camera, because tweackling with exposure for big prints can make big surprises.
If you are willing to rent equipment rent two strobes to get extra sharpness and even exposure of your subjects. Two Bowens 500 or something similar would be enough for fill in and gert a bit more control over the final result. And keep your lens limited to the 40mm end.
Just a few thoughts.
Good points, thanks. -- And I've been looking for an excuse to purchase strobes! Location is up in the hills. I would need a generator or portable power pack.
