There are three ways you can print your photos: at home, by uploading photo files to a photo processing store or by taking your camera to a photo processor and uploading your photos there.
Resolution: Whether you are printing your photos at home, or having them printed remotely, it is imperative you have the proper resolution for the size print you are requesting. Use the chart below to determine the ideal resolution for the size photo you desire:
| Photo size |
Minimum pixels |
| 2" x 3" print |
400 x 600 pixels |
| 4" x 6" print |
800 x 600 pixels |
| 5" x 7" print |
1000 x 1400 pixels |
| 8" x 10" print |
1600 x 2000 pixels |
If you are not sure how large you want to print your image when you are taking, it’s a good idea to set your camera to the highest resolution setting. You can always reduce the pixel-count of your image after downloading, but you cannot increase it.
Photo Printer Guidelines: Today, the best photos are digital. Digital photos can be e-mailed, posted online or added to a slide show. When you are finished sharing your photos in digital form, you can print high-quality images to add to photo albums or frame. Choosing a photo printer can be a daunting task. Here are several helpful hints to make your selection easier:
- Photo printers fall into three categories:
- Ink jet photo printers: offer at least one photo feature and also function as all-purpose printers; print from business applications; slower paced than other printers.
- Dedicated photo printers: limited to printing on special-purpose – usually glossy – paper; print on small paper sizes such as 4"x6"; come in both thermal-dye and ink jet varieties.
- Professional photo printers: serious amateurs my be interested in less expensive choices in this group; offer at least tabloid size output (11" x 17").
- You can often get the same quality from a $50 printer as you can from a $500 printer. Within any given manufacturer’s line the only difference is speed and features.
- Output quality remains the most important issue with photo printers. If you want to print snap shots to give to friends and relatives, you’ll be happy with almost any photo printer. If you want the best possible quality print to blow up and frame you will need to choose more carefully.
Photo Processing Sites: There are a host of photo processing Web sites that you can upload your photos to for professional printing. Below are three Web sites where you can upload your photos and have them printed in a variety of sizes and on a variety of items. Be creative have your photo printed on coffee mugs to give as gifts. Consider a t-shirt with one of your photos as a new way to share the world you capture with your BirdCam.
http://www.snapfish.com/welcome
http://www.yorkphoto.com/registration
http://www.shutterfly.com/