This is my first time to start a new thread in this forum.

I have a D200 and our company has asked me to take pictures of landscape in Dubai to be used as background for the upcoming GITEX exhition. It will be printed on a canvas, around 16' x 12' (feet)

I have read somewhere in this forum that it is possible without loss in quality. I have been looking for it for hours now but was unlucky.

Hope the administrator can just transfer this thread as soon someone will point me out in the right thread to read further on this topic or maybe we can start a discussion here about How big really can a 10.2 megapixel can go?

I remember Jo Avila saying somewhere on the forum that he had a few billboards on Edsa shot with a camera, with I believe 8 mega pixels. When you print that size, the image is not meant to be viewed at up close but at a distance. If you know the printer of the project you might want to ask them what machine they use and at what resolution they plan to print the image. By getting that info, you'll be able to compute backwards what kind of file size you will need to turn over and how much interpolation will be needed.

I have no experience printing that large, but I can tell you that printing at that size you should pay attention to your contrast. Whenever an image is printed large, it always for some reason has less contrast than the same image printed at a smaller size. If you get a proof, you might want to ask the printer to print just a section of the image for you so that you can make any final contrast adjustments to the file.

Thanks Nick for the tip. I'm calling the printer now then I have to find all post by Jo Avila.

I wonder if shooting a stitch will help.

I would think that shooting a stitch would help. The larger the file the less interpolation needed.

Hi Cesar, i'm sure it'll be blown-up digitally so u won't have a problem with the quality. Nick is right, u should contact your printer 'coz they have prefered format in sizes and dpi resolutions.

Actually, all of my current billboards were still shot with my 10d (6mp) :D

All of my images are usually shot at RAW and then upsized during RAW conversion in PS. The images are then interpolated in small increments in PS or using Genuine Fractals to the size and resolution required by the printer.

BTW, it also helps to use a sharp lens or to make sure that the image is as sharp as possible during image capture. Interpolation will not add detail. In fact, you lose a bit of detail the more you interpolate. Having a sharp lens will give you more leeway when you interpolate or upsize your image.


I remember Jo Avila saying somewhere on the forum that he had a few billboards on Edsa shot with a camera, with I believe 8 mega pixels. When you print that size, the image is not meant to be viewed at up close but at a distance. If you know the printer of the project you might want to ask them what machine they use and at what resolution they plan to print the image. By getting that info, you'll be able to compute backwards what kind of file size you will need to turn over and how much interpolation will be needed.

I have no experience printing that large, but I can tell you that printing at that size you should pay attention to your contrast. Whenever an image is printed large, it always for some reason has less contrast than the same image printed at a smaller size. If you get a proof, you might want to ask the printer to print just a section of the image for you so that you can make any final contrast adjustments to the file.

Billboards are viewed from quite a distance, but backdrops for exhibit booths are viewed from around 2 to 3 meters, with booth visitors having the option to approach the backdrop if interested to check some details. So the requirement for sharpness is more critical for a backdrop than for a billboard.

Your printer is still your best guide as to what original file size and resolution he needs. He can probably also guide you as to how much more punch (in terms of contrast and saturation) you would need so you don't lose color or detail. In addition to higher megapixels, it also helps to have a bigger sensor. What Jo said is correct - you need a very sharp lens, and for the image to be as sharp as possible when taken.

We do this kind of work for some clients and we use a medium format camera with a digital back. You might be able to rent one in Dubai.

Good luck.

I have some images on display at Greenbelt 3. I shot the images for an Ayala Land Project - Two Serendra. The images are fairly largish (if there is such an adjective :D).

Okay pa naman at 6mp. Of course, we all have our personal preferences and various levels of what is acceptable. :D

hmm estimate? how detailed can printers go? 300dpi? 150?

I would think that shooting a stitch would help. The larger the file the less interpolation needed.

I second this... This is a solid and sound advice Cesar. :) Goodluck.

I've done tests with desktop inkjet printers. The images are still okay at 150dpi. No difference noted with the same image printed at the same size at 300dpi. :D

hmm estimate? how detailed can printers go? 300dpi? 150?

hmm interesting...

printing has always been a challenge since there is a lot of work to be done from calibration to setting up dpi etc. etc..

what about for large format printing? can it also go as detailed as 300? for huge prints made for cviewing up close..

The question is if the media that you will be printing on will actually benefit from having the image at 300dpi :D