Cropping to clarity

[nrk99]

I have 4MP jpeg picture that I have "elemented" and want to crop to 3"x3" for a frame. In cropping the shot to maintain maximal display of the image, I get an enormous amount of distortion. I assume it is because the pixels are just too crowded and begin to overlap. A 4x6 looks just fine and anything larger is quite good. I'm using an iBook (yay Mac! I am a recent (re-)convert from PC) with an Epson R800 printer. Any advice would be appreciated.

Neil

[Wendy]

Hi Neil,

... and welcome to the forum :)

When you do the cropping how are you setting the crop tool ??

Wendy

[nrk99]

I set the cropping to 3x3 in the tool bar. Now that you ask and I think of it, maybe I should simply crop it square and then make adjustments on the print dialogue box. Any other thoughts? Thanks

[kerriann85]

are you putting anything into the "resolution" box? (you shouldn't be, I don't think)

[Wendy]

If the resolution box is left blank then the resolution will be identical to the original.

Wendy

[nrk99]

I'll give it a try and let you know. Thanks.

[nrk99]

Better, but still loses something. The lighting is blanched and it "looks digital". There are horizontal lines apparent on not-so-close examination. I suppose it will do for a premade frame for friends, but it would be nice if I could figure this out.

Neil

[Wendy]

As long as the resolution box is left blank then the resolution really is identical to the original. So it should make no difference at all ... however are you cropping to a small area of the original image?

It may be an idea if you post the before and after to Pixentral ... that way we may be able to help more :)


Wendy

[nrk99]

I don't think posting the picture will do the trick. THe photo as processed looks fine on the lap top. I am currently going through the processes of the printer utility to ensure optimal function. I'll let you know if I get it right!

BTW, any thoughts about color calibration hardware? I know you work on a mac, as do I. I find, however, that with a laptop, calibration is tricky depending on the ambient light and the tilt of the screen. What I once thought was perfect cast a blue tone. After calibration, my 3x3 problem all began.

Thanks again.

Neil

[Wendy]

Neil,

I use both the iMac and the iBook ... but find calibrating the iBook a difficult task.

A while back I stoped using the Mac calibration software as I found it difficult to sort out all those shades of gray. I searched around and found SuperCal ... it works better than most others and its only a small cost to register it.

http://www.bergdesign.com/supercal/

Because of the screen tilt and the changing shades I don't use the iBook for editing unless I have to.


Wendy

[nrk99]

I completely agree that the tilt is the torture! Unfortunately, my wife wouldn't dare let me overwhelm her desktop mac with my frivolities and I don't intend to get a new computer anytime soon. I tried supercal before seeing your reply, as I had searched the forum after my reply. I have done this and feel no better off. Now I have a hazy blue cast that is even affecting my web browser! I think I need to see my eye doctor... Anyway, I am going to log on to amazon in a moment and purchase the spyder2 calibrator, as this seems to get good reviews from people on the boards.

Neil

[Wendy]

Neil,

It certainly has got good reviews and I do hope that it works well for you.

Let us know how you go on :)

Wendy

[sandie]

I have the spyder 2 pro in the box and have not yet opened it(won it) but was at the NECCC conference in Amherst MA this weekend and people were talking about the Monaco system being easier to learn to use but do not know. The Spyder Pro has the filters for Photoshop included that normally cost about 100 dollars so will keep it but if starting anew would maybe try the Monaco system.
The NECCC is the New England Camera Club Conference and it had 1300 attendees. Spectacular if you ask me.

[Wendy]

Hi Sandie,

congratulations on the win!!

You should try it out


Wendy