Damien Symonds

What do you mean, thanks? What did you think I'd been trying to explain to you for the last three hours? Do you get it now?

No, 11:15 with resolution blank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please don't say "4x6" and "8x12". They are sizes, not ratios. The ratio is 2:3, and that is what's important. Importantly bad, in this case. No. You definitely must not make them smaller. Don't impose the 300ppi resolution. Leave the resolution blank, this is SO important.

Yes, but we've already established why you can't do that.

Sorry, I don't understand the question.

Fantastic. So by extension, you also understand that manual cropping must be part of this output process for client files. There is no way to automate cropping in Photoshop with consideration for individual composition. If you asked Photoshop to automatically crop a batch of photos, it would do so the same way your clueless clients would - that is, it would just take the centre section. As we've already discussed, that is risky. Still with me?

Excellent. And you understand that you must NEVER crop during the editing process? Neither in raw, nor in Photoshop. Your fully-edited master file must be whole. Every pixel is sacred. https://www.damiensymonds.net/2011/09/cropping-tutorial.html

Correct! I'm glad your understanding is becoming so strong that you're even jumping ahead of me here. As I said in the article: It's impractical, right? The client would be so unlikely to use the correct file, and anyway, it would drive you crazy making multiple versions of 78 files. Therefore, the "middle ground" (11:15 crop) is the most practical solution. You finally seem to be grasping this, which is great. There is one more aspect to discuss. Do you acknowledge that there will be a percentage of your photos that need cropping no matter what? Not every photo is perfectly composed in camera, and in fact, it's VERY dangerous to try to do so. It's vitally important to always shoot a little bit loose.

Good. And do you acknowledge that the most bulletproof way to prevent this potential 8x10 problem would be to actually crop the client's files to 8x10 for them?

Excellent. More progress. And you understand the risk inherent in this? That the top of somebody's head could easily be chopped off, in a portrait photo for example? Or any other random limb chop that you yourself would NEVER allow in your own work?

Ok, good. That's some progress, at least. And do you understand that your client, or their printer, are VERY unlikely to pause to consider your composition when cropping? They'll just use the exact centre section of the photo, yes?

YOU'RE not the one who's going to crop it to 8x10. Your client is, or their printer. You understand that part, yes?

Does this one help? https://www.damiensymonds.net/art_proofs.html

What is it that you don't understand about this, Rhonda? Why can't you understand the importance of the 11:15 crop?

@nchilders87?

That's right, they can print whatever size they want. Therein lies the risk in selling digital files. Depending on their chosen print size, there will be cropping. Are they qualified to crop YOUR photos to look their best? Of course not. No more than they are qualified to edit your photos. That's why YOU must do it.

Your photos are going to be cropped. That is the truth. It's much better that YOU crop them, don't leave it to your clients. You sure as hell wouldn't give unedited photos to your clients and say "it's ok, they'll edit them for me, I'm sure they'll do a good job." Would you?

No, you clearly still don't get it. Read it again.

The 11:15 shape is SO important.

Read the article again. And again, and again. Until you understand. All the info is there.

Gotta have good bright consistent light in your room. It's SO important.

Millers is shit, that's an established fact. Yes, definitely get some test prints from other labs. I don't know if I've already asked you this - are you certain the light in your room is bright enough? https://www.damiensymonds.net/2012/01/light-around-your-computer.html

You MUST read these two articles: https://www.damiensymonds.net/2011/02/selling-digital-images.html https://www.damiensymonds.net/2015/07/selling-digital-files-you-cant-limit.html I will help you with your batching, but NOT until you assure me you understand why what you've been doing is wrong. NEVER give 8x12 @ 300 files.

Selling them to whom?

Oh, it's tricky. May I have some more information? For what purpose are you setting this up?