Resolution Guide
Digital images are made up of small squares of color called pixels. The more pixels in an image file, the higher the resolution. This determines the level of detail in the image, affecting sharpness, color richness, and overall quality.
Excellent quality photo prints require a resolution of at least 300 dpi (dots per inch).
Therefore, an image file should ideally measure at least 1200 pixels by 1800 pixels to print an excellent quality 4x6 print. This is because 4 inches x 300 dpi = 1200 pixels and 6 inches x 300 dpi = 1800 pixels.
A megapixel (abbreviated MP) is a million pixels, usually referring to the image sensor of a digital camera. Most current models of digital cameras and smart phones feature sensors anywhere from 8 to 40 megapixels.
Consult the follow table for a guide to camera resolutions (in MP) and their corresponding print quality in various common sizes:
A = Excellent quality
B = Good quality
C = Fair quality
X = Poor (Not recommended)
| Megapixels |
| Inches: | 8
| 12 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 36 | 40 |
| 5x7 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 8x10/8x12 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 11x14/12x18 | B | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 16x20/16x24 | C | B | B | B | A | A | A |
| 20x30 | X | C | B | B | B | A | A |
| 24x36 | X | X | C | C | B | B | A |
| 30x40 | X | X | C | C | C | B | B |
40x60 & Up
| X | X | X | X | C | B | B |
Image resolution (number of pixels) does not correspond exactly to file size, which is measured in kilobytes or megabytes. But generally speaking, larger file sizes are higher resolution and better for printing.
You can often get away with upscaling the file if it's relatively close in size. However, it is sometimes difficult to determine if an image is too small to print with good or excellent quality based on file size or pixel dimensions alone. To some degree, terms like "good" and "excellent" are subjective. You can always consider viewing a proof print when in doubt.
In many cases, photo editing software, email software, and smart phone and tablet apps will downsize photo files by default, making them too small to print. This can be avoided by changing the settings or not using the software for printable files.
Jpeg files are preferred for photo printing. While it is true that jpeg files compress the image data for a smaller file size, the image is still displayed and printed at full resolution. Jpeg files are lossy, however they only lose quality when edited/saved over and over excessively.
Click here to learn more about image resolution.
FAQs
Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film.
What does it take to be a good photographer? ›
A good photographer must have a very keen eye for detail to ensure that all elements within the photo—the lighting, the composition, the subject, and everything else in between—work together harmoniously to convey the right vision or message.
What is the concept of photography? ›
The word Photography literally means 'drawing with light', which derives from the Greek photo, meaning light and graph, meaning to draw. Photography is the process of recording an image – a photograph – on lightsensitive film or, in the case of digital photography, via a digital electronic or magnetic memory.
What do you call a guy who takes pictures? ›
A photographer (the Greek φῶς (phos), meaning "light", and γραφή (graphê), meaning "drawing, writing", together meaning "drawing with light") is a person who uses a camera to make photographs.
What do you call someone who doesn't like taking pictures? ›
Camera shyness is the desire to avoid being photographed or filmed. It is common for individuals who are camera-shy to fear public speaking, performing in front of an audience, and having one's picture taken by any type of camera or by video camera.
How to tell if a photographer is good? ›
Look at their websites, their portfolios, and their reviews. Real photographers have a website. Check credentials. Along the same lines as number 2, check the photographer's work for consistency, credentials, education, and experience.
Do photographers make enough money? ›
Full-time photographers can typically make anywhere between $30,000 and $75,000 per year, and some make even more than that. Many photographers prefer to transition into photography part-time so they can get an idea of if it will be financially sustainable as a career.
How many years does it take to be a good photographer? ›
Most people take 2-3 years to build competence in photography. Mastering the skill, experts say, requires 10-12 years of study. Of course, this depends on several factors. Keep reading to learn about how you can learn photography and get some resources to help speed the process along.
Does photographer own my pictures? ›
Photographers still own the photos even if they sell you digital copies or rights to share them. This is because the photos are still their work. Yes, you may appear in their photos but that is only one small part of a very large and involved process. To the photographer you are not just you, the client.
What are the 7 elements of photography? ›
There are seven basic elements of photographic art: line, shape, form, texture, color, size, and depth. As a photographic artist, your knowledge and awareness of these different elements can be vital to the success of your composition and help convey the meaning of your photograph.
1. Portrait photography. While talking about types of photoshoot, it's almost impossible not to include portrait photography on top. So, one of the most common modes of photography, portrait photoshoots, is always in demand.
What is another word for taking pictures? ›
Synonyms: photograph , take a photo, take a photograph, take a snapshot, take a snap (informal), take a selfie (informal), shoot , snap (informal), capture , capture sth/sb on camera, take sb's photo.
What's another word for taking pictures? ›
What is another word for take a picture of?
| shoot | photograph |
|---|
| take a photo of | get a snap of |
| get a snapshot of | record on celluloid |
| take a snap of | take a snapshot of |
| record | picture |
21 more rowsDerived from the term photophilic, meaning to thrive in light, a photophile is someone who loves photography.
What is another word for photography? ›
What is another word for photography?
| shooting | camerawork |
|---|
| photographing | portraiture |
| photojournalism | snapping |
| picture making | picture taking |
| being behind the lens | journalism |
4 more rows