Help
The information below is primarily to assist existing clients, though others may find some of the information generally useful.
Finding Your Photos on SmugMug
If you've lost the direct link to your gallery that was sent to you, you should be able to find the gallery fairly quickly by starting with one of the category links below. If you are still unable to find the gallery (or have forgotten its password), please contact me for help.
- All Contract Galleries
- Engagements and Weddings
- Events
- Portraits (includes people and pets)
- Equine Galleries
Downloading Images from SmugMug
When taking delivery of images from my SmugMug galleries (in lieu of using the CD you will receive), it is important to download the correct resolution photo for your purpose. If your purpose is to print the photo, either yourself or using a local or online digital photo lab, you will want to download the "original" image. That will have the highest resolution available. To download the original image, locate the link "save photo" next to "other sizes" that appears below each photo. You will not be able to get the original image by right-clicking to save the photo. If you need additional guidance, check the SmugMug help system or contact me.
Printing Images from your CD
When you receive a CD of photos from me, they have already been adjusted (as best as I can) for print to ensure you receive the best possible image without further work. Even so, there are a few considerations to make when placing an order with your local or online print lab.
Cropping and Enlargement
Photos are almost always delivered in a 4x6 aspect ratio, but with resolution to support large printing (at least 11x14). Printing such a photo as a 5x7 or 8x10 will cause the photo to be cropped on the long edge. That is, some of the photo will be lost when printing an enlargement. This causes quite a quandary: the smaller a print, the bigger you want the subject to be and vice-vera, but the bigger the image, the more cropping will occur. The perfect 4x6 print of a delivered image might be made by "zooming in" when you order the print, but if I delivered it like that, you'd have a hard time making an acceptable 5x7 or 8x10. To permit you the maximum flexibility when making prints, I try to deliver the photos with as much "room" around the subject as possible. Thus I encourage you to spend some time when placing your order to crop and zoom to your liking.
Color Accuracy
There's really no such thing as "accurate color" because your perception of color changes based on many factors, not the least of which is what surrounds an image when you look at it. Even so, I strive to deliver photos that are color adjusted to convey the tone of the scene when I shot the photo. All edits are made on a color calibrated monitor. Chances are your monitor is not calibrated, though if you have an LCD it shouldn't be far off—uncalibrated CRT's, on the other hand, are notoriously bad at representing "accurate color". If you feel the color is way off, please let me know.
Note most printing labs will apply a set of automatic adjustments to your photo in an attempt to make a "better" print. While this is well-intentioned and works well for consumer photography in which the printer is typically receiving photos directly from a digital camera, it can wreak havoc with already adjusted images, especially if those images are "artistic" in their contrast and tonality. I encourage you to talk with your printer to understand how to place an order without automatic adjustments. Some labs call this option "no mods" or "true color".