So we just got back from our trip to the Rockies and I am ready for the first time ever to submit my digital SLR photographs to the proper photo lab treatment (as opposed to the couple of one-off kiosk prints of my daughter for the Grandparents).
Should be easy right? As it happens, not so easy. If it’s just holiday snaps you want there is no problem, thing is I want to hang some of my nice pics on the wall at a decent size. Really I would like at least one canvas to see how it turns out. Confusingly I keep seeing advice like the below..
The important things are to send as lossless an image as possible, and to get the number of DPI right. Any good printing bureau should be able to tell you their recommendations for both of those. If they do, follow them. If they don’t, ask them (and consider going somewhere else).
What does that mean? Surely the maximum DPI depends on the resolution
of the photograph and the size of the print? I guess I need to do more
research!
Right now at the suggestion of Damian I am looking at a UK company, Photobox. Damians pics from them seemed to come out ok. Anyone got more suggestions?
Have you got a favourite photo developer? Got any tips to share?
7 Comments
For the best possible prints go to
http://www.peak-imaging.co.uk/
Regularly voted best lab in UK photography magazines.
Cool, have you used them yourself?
Dave Oliver had some printed off and was very happy with the service.
In terms of UI they dont make it easy to find anything and their prices seem a bit high. Thing that really puts me off though is they only allow online ordering for smallest print sizes, I take it Daves were film prints or 6x4s – you have to post a cd for wall mount sizes.
I might give them and photobox a try to compare.
Right now photobox looks better, especially as you get 30 free prints for signing up and Damians prints looked really good.
style over function eh chris!
You need to download the application to order larger sizes I think. Dave ordered 10 X 8 prints. They are meant as a pro/am setup, the prints should last a lot longer than photobox etc.
Nothing to do with style, usability is not a minor consideration especially if they want a pro market where time is money. Once you do manage to find the download information it is not a bad app actually.
As I said, I will try both and compare, plus “loxley colour”, the one that won the review in this months “digital photo” mag and post up reviews.
Peak are looking most expensive right now, but that is taking into account postage and the 30 free prints from photobox.
They all claim to have long lasting developing processes.. not sure how I can test that apart from post an update if any of them fade.
Looks like photobox cant take new uploads right now, ordered some from peak