Print sizes 4x6, 8x12 vs 5x7 8x10????

[MichaelKirk]

I have this question that is just driving me CRAZY!
DSLR have a default print size of 4x6, 8x12, etc. I go to any store and try to buy frames or pre cut matting and 99.9% of everything is for 5x7 8x10's???

ALL my pictures are only offered in 4x6, 8x12, 12x18 & 16x24 since that is how I crop everything to fit. Am I hurting myself and sales because of this??

I crop my photos before I upload as I want them top look their best on my site, hence if I offer 5x7 and 8x10 sizes the crop will not work properly.
Try offering this photo in a 8x10 and see how bad it is:
http://mlkimages.smugmug.com/gallery/2148049/1/111365513/Large


Am I ok at the sizes I am offering? any ideas or what is everyone else doing? I know the order info pages explains about cropping and some imagfes not fitting crops - but I took the initial stance that to avoid that confusion I would just not offer the diffucult crop sizes.

Thoughts?

Michael

[Andy]

I have this question that is just driving me CRAZY!
DSLR have a default print size of 4x6, 8x12, etc. I go to any store and try to buy frames or pre cut matting and 99.9% of everything is for 5x7 8x10's???

ALL my pictures are only offered in 4x6, 8x12, 12x18 & 16x24 since that is how I crop everything to fit. Am I hurting myself and sales because of this??

YES! My recommendation is do not crop to sizes. Instead, price all the sizes. Set for PROOF DELAY and then recrop or fix a crop if the customer needs "help."
See my articles here: http://smugmug.jot.com/WikiHome/Pros


I crop my photos before I upload as I want them top look their best on my site, hence if I offer 5x7 and 8x10 sizes the crop will not work properly.
Try offering this photo in a 8x10 and see how bad it is:
http://mlkimages.smugmug.com/gallery/2148049/1/111365513/Large


Am I ok at the sizes I am offering? any ideas or what is everyone else doing? I know the order info pages explains about cropping and some imagfes not fitting crops - but I took the initial stance that to avoid that confusion I would just not offer the diffucult crop sizes.

Thoughts?

Michael[/QUOTE]

YOU have the power now :) Most customers "get it" with the crop tool. If they don't, then you can fix it before the order goes to us.

The very best advice I can give is to step back, or zoom out, at shoot. Allow breathing room for cropping, for all sizes. Holler back with any questions!