Preparing Digital Files

• Exposure is critical. You may choose to shoot RAW and allow yourself a plus/minus 2 stop latitude that is correctable, or shoot a jpeg that will only allow a workable latitude of plus or minus 1/4 stop.
• For the best results on color photographic paper, your file highlights shouldn’t exceed 245 and shadows shouldn’t go below 15. If this happens, the range of your image file will exceed what is reproducible on photographic paper.

• If you’re planning to simply use the crop tool in Lenzart ROES, then use the high resolution jpeg (or converted RAW file) from your camera or conversion software.
• If you’ll be using Photoshop to crop and prepare your file, here’s a simple and quick way to retain all the original detail -
  
  
  • Compose your image for a good 8x10 crop, keeping it just slightly loose for the 5x7 proportion that will take more off the sides. Because of the paper wander that naturally occurs with automated equipment, please be sure to leave at least 1/4” of space around anything critical on your page and the edge of the paper.
  • Leave the resolution box blank, allowing our printing equipment to take full advantage of the original image capture detail. From this preparation, we’ll be able to produce all print sizes.

• Resolution is the amount of detail captured in any given image. It is determined by the number of pixels present in the image at the point of original capture.
• DPI, or more accurately PPI (pixels per inch), is by itself a useless number. It is the product of PPI and document size which determines file size, or the amount of detail which can be resolved.
• Upsizing a file is not recommended - it does not create greater resolution (remember, you’ve already established the file size at the point of capture). It simply increases your file size via interpoation. Interpolation, driven by sophisticated mathematical algorithms, creates more pixels by estimating what those new pixels should be, and adding those new pixels thereby increasing file size.
• For most portrait applications, a file size of between 15 megs and 25 megs will serve very satisfactorily, even for prints up to 30x40. Most programs display the file size in one place or another - you may have to look for it. Photoshop displays the file size at the bottom left of each opened image.

• Send files in jpeg or tiff format. If saving as a tiff, do not use PhotoShop “LZW” compression when saving (“None” should be selected in the tiff options box)
• When compressing jpeg files, be sure to use the loss-less setting of 12 in Photoshop. If you’re choosing compression at the camera, be sure to use the highest quality original capture and the finest degree of compression. At this loss-less setting, you’ll be able to adjust and save a file multiple times with no quality degradation.
• Be aware that many camera and some RAW converters give you only a few choices, not the level you might want and need

• If you’re doing your own color correcting and quality control, your monitor and viewing area need to be calibrated to our printing results. However, since full color and density correction is available as part of our print service, you don’t necessarily need a match - that’s a personal preference.
• For easy calibration, we recommend using GretagMacbeth Eye-One device, which is available through Lenzart.
• Eye-One is a display profiling and calibration system that combines a state-of-the-art colorimeter with powerful and easy-to-use software that provides outstanding results with both LCD and CRT displays. We suggest using the EASY method of installation.
• Keep your monitor where you can view it comfortably, consistently, and without ambient light interference. The time of day and amount of sunlight should not be able to affect your screen viewing - protect your area from that. Also, warm up your monitor for at least 20 minutes. Both CRT and LCD screens become noticeably more consistent after 20 to 30 minutes warm up and settling in time.
• Be realistic about the fact that a photographic print and a monitor are two different animals, and will always exhibit some inherent differences. So, keep your monitor in line, but don’t chase it incessantly.

• We recommend working in sRGB color space (in all areas - camera capture, monitor and software).
• When shooting, do not use Auto White Balance, as it will result in inconsistent skin tones. In situtations where lighting is consistant (studio sittings) choose a white balance to match your conditions, either by selecting a pre-set camera setting or setting proper Kelvin color temperature.
• Select image mode RGB (not CMYK). Be sure all B&W images are fully desaturated, then saved in RGB mode, not grayscale.
• When naming your files -
  • Please use numbers only, or a combination of numbers and letters, no special characters.
  • Do not use spaces.
  • Do not exceed 15 characters - most people opt for a simple 4 - 5 digit number.

These requirements are basic and necessary for most portrait labs in order to use the various printing software and equipment which is available. If these steps are not followed, and production must manipulate or adjust your files in order to fulfill your printing requests, additional time will be necessary and additional charges will be applied to your order.

Of course we understand if you need help getting started - just let us know. We’ll be happy to do a few test orders step by step to insure the basic procedure is in place.