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NancyAndFriends Dec 31, 2005

:doh:

I have my Toby 'friend' done and photograped.
When I did the editing for size in Picture-It (no I still have not had the time to learn Elements 3)...I uploaded the photos to Walmart just to see how they would look in Glossy and Matte.

BUT... before I could press the order button for the 4 X 6 photos...it said that size is not suggested and the only size they suggested would be the wallet size.

When I edited the photos, it gave me the option to change the picture size to pixels, inches and something else.
I chose inches and put in 4X6...but evidently that is not right.

So I looked at my chat forum for Elements and found a couple of past posts concerning this problem.
See below.
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Question 1:
Does anyone have any general suggestions regarding what image size and resolution to use when sending photos to an online printing service for hard copies?
Thanks in advance,
Answer 1.
For each inch of picture printed, you should have 300 pixels per inch, for pictures of 5 x 7 and lower (those that will be looked from a close distance). That includes wallet size, 4 x 6, etc.

If printing an 8 x 10 or larger (13 x 17, etc.) 200 pixels per inch (but if possible 300) would be sufficient.

For example, a 4 x 6 at 300 pixels per inch would require an image of 1200 x 2400.

Hope this helps !

Answer 2.
Sandie -- if your pictures are from a camera you can use image resize with resample turned off and then enter one of the two sides in the size you want -- for example 5x7 or 8x10 you would just enter 5 or 8 for the short side or 7 or 10 for the long side the other side will adjust to something close but not perfect but can be cropped off to make the final size.

Doing it in this fashion only works with pictures from camera and will yield a high pixel count for the printed picture without the size being destroyed.
__________________
Answer 3.

Printing at 300 dpi for many of my picture reduces the picture to very small. The picture is 72 dpi when I open it and it is huge like 16 X ? but when I go to put in 300 dpi it makes the picture way too small so what to do???

Question 2.

Hi all,

I am stymied! What amI doing wrong with image sizes?
I resized my Canon SLR image to 4x6 (resolution by default 576) with PSE3 and uploaded to the Walgreens site for printing. No matter how small I make the images the photos always come out too large for the 4x6 and eventhe wallet sized print- i.e. heads cut off, borders cutoff in part, etc.
What am I missing?
Here are two images I loaded to the Gallery but these I resized again to be acceptabble for the gallery.
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com...y.php?user=202

Answer 1.

Hi all,
Well, I answered my own question- after an hour on the phone with Walgreen's tech support- turns out that their online print processing service is not compatible with ANY photo program including PSE3 - I was instructed to load the image from the camera, untouched, directly to Walgreens and then use their site to edit the photos!
Who knew! I wonder if all online print services have this issue?

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I am really getting panicked here...if anyone can help....I would sure appreciate it.

Nanc.....

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorDec 31, 2005

Nancy, just send me your pictures.  I'll resize them for you.  We can work out how YOU can do it for yourself, later on.

There isn't a need to panic; you still have about two weeks to get your TOBY photos in!  The due date is January 16th.

I do realize it's best to print them up in plenty of time to REprint them, in case the colors are off.

My suggestion on that, by the way, is to do 1-hour processing, and just one print of each shot.  If the colors work, print more.  If they don't, the folks at Walgreens -- where I develop my own prints for these contests -- can adjust Red, Green, Blue.  They should know how to do that without your assistance.  They also use something called "Image Intelligence" which, for most shots, works just fine.  But, when I've spent time photographing my own photos to be just the colors I want them to be, I ask Walgreens NOT to use their "Image Intelligence" feature in processing my pictures.  It works best, in my case, for my pictures, at my Walgreens.  So, just something else to keep in mind.

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorDec 31, 2005

Also, Nancy, from this forum, and a recent post, read this:

http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=3476

NancyAndFriends Dec 31, 2005

I LOVE YOU SHELLI !!!!

carsoncreations Jan 1, 2006

Shelli,

I have been developing my photos at Walgreens one hour service by sending them to the store via the internet.  I have noticed they are usually a little darker than I had wanted them to be.  I didn't know Walgreens automatically adjusted them!!

I will mention that the next time I either take them or send them in to be developed.  Thank you so much.  I have been hitting my head against the wall trying to figure out why they look so good on my monitor and then too dark when developed.  In fact, the last ones I intentionally lightened and they still looked dark ... Duh ... no wonder!!!

Thanks for solving my headache, now I have to go patch the wall.

Hugs,

Wanda

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJan 1, 2006

Oh, good!  I'm glad I could help.

That is the exact problem I had last year; muddy photos which had looked crisp and bright on my monitor!  A particularly helpful counter gal at the photo dept. told me that Walgreens AUTOMATICALLY applies "Image Intelligence" to EVERY photo processing order -- when the photos are digital, anyway.

So I always tell them NO IMAGE INTELLIGENCE!  I've already done the "intelligence" part for my images, myself!

I'm really glad this helped you out.

Happy New Year!

NancyAndFriends Jan 1, 2006

Shelli,
I see the email waiting for  me...thank you.
It will take some time to pull it up...my slow dial-up !
But I didn't want to not thank you tonight.
You are a peach!!
nancy

Jare Hares & Bears Jan 1, 2006

These are the pictures that I just took for mom.
Well I just use walmart.com and upload the photos there and have them printed at my local walmart. I don't think they use "Image Intelligence" and I never have any problems with my pictures.

Wanda - I know that there is a Wal*Mart in Macomb... give them a try. Prints are only $0.19 each.

I would also suggest investing in a monitor calibration (sp?) kit. I don't have mine in front of me but it is called spyder something. I bought it about two years ago for about $150 and it helps me to get printed results that are closer to monitor results.  It suggests to calibrate your monitor every two weeks or so. I haven't found that I need to do that. But then I am not that graphic intensive. I just aim to get the pictures to look right on my screen and pray that everyone else sees the same thing.
For now I would suggest that you send Shelli everything and let her fix it and then after you win send her 10% of whatever you sell the bear for.
That reminds me I need to work on something for those...
Jared

carsoncreations Jan 1, 2006

Jared,

Thanks for the tip, but I'm not sure Macomb photo department prints glossy.  That's why I went to Walgreens.   I'm going to town today, so I'll stop and check it out.  There is always such a crowd around with people waiting their turn (another reason I went to Walgreens).

I have been burning the photos to a CD and taking it to work to send via the internet to Walgreens since I have slow dialup.

Thanks for enlightening me and I'll definitely check it out.   Your photos are GREAT!! ..Course the models are wonderful which makes for great pictures.

Hugs,

Wanda

Jare Hares & Bears Jan 1, 2006

Well,
I know at our store they have the kodak picture maker, which if you use that you can get glossy prints from it.
I'll have to double check the glossy photos.
mmm...
I was just reading the rules for both the Golden Teddys and the TOBYS no where does it say the the photos should be glossy only professionally developed.
mmm...

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJan 1, 2006

I think -- might be wrong, tho -- that the Kodak picture maker prints using the same technology as your at-home printer.  It's not "real" photo processing, and the problem with that, as it was described to me, is that the color is applied with inks in layers, and can scratch off... meaning the pictures are susceptible to damage during handling and thus become quickly unusable for reproduction in print.  That, it was explained to me, is why the TOBY folks (I don't think the Golden Teddy folks, but I could be misremembering) ask for processed photos, and NO digital printouts.  So I think that rules out the Kodak picture maker, sad to say, for these particular contests.

I understand why these places use 'inteli-imaging' or 'image intelligence' or whatever they call it.  I saw a woman stride up to the media loader at Walgreens, stick in her memory card, pulled directly out of her camera, and send every single photo on it for developing.  In such a case, I'd think the image "intelligence" would prove quite helpful.

But if you're working with digital images already calibrated to match monitor-to-printout (like Jared), or if you're fairly confident your color adjustments have made your digital photos "true" to life and ready to print, then that "intelligent" imaging ain't so intelligent.

Nancy -- no need to send me 10%.  It was gift enough to sneak-peek at one of my upcoming competitors in the XXX category (I'll keep your secrets!  Awesome work!)

Jared -- awesome photos, and wonderful work from your mom.  Are you entering this year?

Hope everyone had a great new year.  Mine was surprisingly romantic!

Jare Hares & Bears Jan 1, 2006

Shelli -
I have no idea, I might try to enter something. I have been so busy filling orders and working, I haven't had the time to think about it.
Right now I am working on things for Valentine's Day for the Toy Shoppe.  I would like to make something and have new pictures on hand to send in.
The photos I get from everyone now are this glossy matte type finish. There are no slick glossy photos like I use to get when I took pictures in Jr High or High school. I am going to try ordering a set of prints to be made at the lab and sent to the store and see if there is any difference.

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJan 1, 2006

Hope everyone had a great new year.  Mine was surprisingly romantic!

Woohoo, Shelli!!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

NancyAndFriends Jan 1, 2006

:doh:   Oh NOOOOOO, Shelli !!  Are you entereing the XXXX category? 

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJan 1, 2006

Yes, not only because I like that category, but because it's the one I won last year (not for the TOBY, but for the GOLDEN TEDDY.)  So I figured people kinda EXPECT it of me.  And I don't have the flexibility of time and income to create a different piece for each category, in each contest... so any competitions get the same PBB "soft sculpture/plush animal" piece, across the board.... or any other category piece... if I've got them ready by the deadlines, that is. 

There's never any guarantee, for any artist, no matter how well known, no matter how precious or good or nice or whatever fill-in-the-blank-with-a-word-meaning-desirable their piece is, that they will receive a nomination NEXT TIME... much less a win.

Now that I've seen your piece, I'm more nervous than I was before!

Please don't sell yourself or your work short on this, Nancy; your piece is superb and unlike any I've seen nominated in a very long time (I have a lot of backissues of magazines which feature nominated pieces for several contests.)  Both of those things count, I would think.

Out of four separate pieces I submitted last year across two contests (so eight submitted pieces, in total,) only ONE got a nomination, and happened to garner a win.  Yay for me!  But I felt really and truly okay with falling to the wayside in those categories -- entire contests, even! -- for which I did NOT get a nomination.  Because the work that DID get noticed was wonderful and inspiring.  And I also felt a bit guilty getting my nomination instead of friends whose work I'd seen, which was fabulous.  You've just gotta do your best and remind yourself that the challenge to yourself, and the learning experience, and the bravery in putting yourself "out there," was worth the ride.  It is, to me anyway.

I wish you as much luck, Nancy, as I wish myself, and any other artists entering the competitions this year.  As we've talked about before, I don't think there's one answer to, "Which piece is BETTER?"  What does that even mean?  Cuter?  Smaller?  Fatter?  Made with lusher mohair?  Sculpted out of mud?  What????

There's just you, doing your best, and me, doing my best, and the honor of being nominated, and the disappointment of not being nominated, but the knowledge, no matter what, that you did your best, and I did, and everyone else did, and it's brave to try, and it's good for business and soul to grow your work past your comfort zone, and it's good for the magazines to get your entry fees to keep them afloat!, and it's good for the judges to see the entirety of what's out there.  And it's all... just... good.  That's how I see it, anyway.

So, no worries.

Besides, as Jared said in another thread... if you win, I get 10%.

(Just kidding!)

Big hugs,

NancyAndFriends Jan 1, 2006

PS...actually shelli, after you made me that gorgeous avatar, I tried to look you up in the Chico phone book to mail you something special...but couldn't find you.  I wanted to send you a 'surprise' as a little 'thank you'.
You are so generous with your help all the time and just simply Thank You, seems so inadequate...
Nanc.......

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJan 2, 2006

Thank you is more than adequate -- an honor, even -- especially when you say it publicly.

I do accept checks, however.

(kidding again)

I'm no hero.  I have ten zits on my left cheek and my Christmas lights are on, one hour early, because the timer malfunctioned, and I haven't taken them down yet.  My neighbors no doubt think me an idiot.   I have three piles of laundry sitting clean in baskets, because I hate putting it away once it's washed and dried.  I sometimes make my kids wait to eat dinner so that I can finish jointing a teddy bear that's been sewn up.  I'm just a normal, dorky, human, self-involved person, just like anybody else.  And certainly, I'm not the only one on this forum who gives of his or her time, to the benefit of others.

Yeah, your avatar took me a while to make.   But I loved doing it!!, and it helped me grow my design skills, so it wasn't entirely altruism, you know.  What a charge it is for me to see you (and other people) USING my designs, on a public board!  That's not so much heroic as... egotistical!!!  Although I don't really think of myself that way; as an egotist, I mean.  Self important.  I see myself moreas someone who's kinda insecure, for whom such things assist self-love and esteem, and who likes to please people (a.k.a. "co-dependent" in some circles), and who loves dipping her toe into design, and making new and true friends.

There's real, tangible, meaningful pleasure and happiness to be found in posting here, and helping people, and making avatars, for me, Nancy.  It grows my soul and makes me feel good.  So it's never a case of me, just being Shelli-the-Sacrificing-Giver.

So Thank You is just the icing on an already delicious cake, Nancy, and anything beyond that would be just too much, and entirely over the top.

But thank you for thinking of me, and for the gesture, all the same!

Jare Hares & Bears Jan 2, 2006

I was asked to judge a bear contest and it was an interesting experience...
I would say to just remember that judging depends on the judge...
What I like is different from what you like.
There were some of the bears that I judged that the craftsmanship was excellent, but the overall appeal was not there.
I only had a few pieces to judge and that made it harder.
I tried not to be to critical, but boy oh boy some of the workmanship was just not there.
They didn't list the names of the judges anywhere thankfully!
I was the only judge for the category.
I would gladly do it again, I liked being able to see what people are doing. I hope that the contestants found the feedback I gave them useful. Plus I have a better understanding of what is expected of me as a judge.

shantell Jan 2, 2006

Jared or anyone else for that matter,

Perhaps this belongs in a thread of it own...

As a judge, what did/do you look for in terms of overall appeal, workmanship, etc. ? As a new artist I really have nothing to compare my own work to in terms of workmanship.  What I may feel is excellent someone else may view as fair or mediocre.  I am in no way ready to even think of entering any kind of competition but just looking forward, perhaps challenging myself to be ready this time next year.

Shantell

NancyAndFriends Jan 2, 2006

Shantell,

I know what you mean (exactly) about not knowing if your work is excellent or mediocre.  I think my work is good and then I get slapped in the face by ebay buyers.

That is the one thing that I don't like about ebay and why I am going to try some shows and the Toby.  I want to know what the rest of the buyers think.  I have said before that ebay is strange arena!  I need to get out in the 'real world' and see how my little friends do.

Now, to address your other comment about ...you are a contradiction!
You say that you have no way to know how good your work is and/or nothing to compare to and yet you judge your work as 'no way ready to enter competition'.
Judging from your avatar I think you are ready!  That panda is just plain adorable.  You think you are not!

Give it a try and see what happens.
Nancy

bearlyart Jan 2, 2006

Nancy, I agree with you about eBay.  I think if you're finding that eBay (or any one venue) isn't the best for you right now, you are wise to branch out, and I must admit I am doing similarly.  It really is a fishbowl, and not indicative of the entire world's opinions.

And now onto a different note... uh oh, you are two of my competitors in that particular category! (I'm not calling it the XXX category, which makes it look like I'm submitting teddy [INVALID].)  My mother is entering the same category as well, we happened to have two strong candidates that we had done individually, so off they went as separate submissions.  Tough competition!  (Not that I expected anything less.)

Hugs,
Kelly

Jare Hares & Bears Jan 2, 2006

Jared or anyone else for that matter,

Perhaps this belongs in a thread of it own...

As a judge, what did/do you look for in terms of overall appeal, workmanship, etc. ? As a new artist I really have nothing to compare my own work to in terms of workmanship.  What I may feel is excellent someone else may view as fair or mediocre.  I am in no way ready to even think of entering any kind of competition but just looking forward, perhaps challenging myself to be ready this time next year.

Shantell

When I look at a bear...
I get an overall impression of the bear... do I like the bear? do I like the theme that is presenting the bear?
Then I pick the bear up and inspect the workmanship. Are the rounds round are the straights straight
Do the paw pads have a nice round shape, there should be no sharp points from the sewing of the seam. I don't care for toes with points unless that is how they were designed. Are the proportions resonable? What type of bear/animal was the artist trying to create?
I feel the seams are they smooth and flat? or are they bumpy and lumpy?
I look at the bear a second or third time...
Even if I don't like the bear is the bear well made? Is the idea of the bear well executed?

At least that is how I looked at the bears I judged. I tired to be fair and give everyone a 1st but some just were not well done.
I feel for anyone who is asked to judge.
If I were asked to do it again I would.
Hope that helps.

shantell Jan 3, 2006

Shantell,

Now, to address your other comment about ...you are a contradiction!
You say that you have no way to know how good your work is and/or nothing to compare to and yet you judge your work as 'no way ready to enter competition'.
Judging from your avatar I think you are ready!  That panda is just plain adorable.  You think you are not!

Give it a try and see what happens.
Nancy

Thanks Nancy

I do think that this panda has been my best work yet perhap that is why I'm having such a hard time letting him go to my mom...that and he gave me fits in the beginning.  In terms of being a contradiction...I probably am.  I'm just not sure I'm ready to put myself out there yet.  I have a hard time letting them go when I sell them because I'm afraid some collector will tell me they are crap.  I completely stress until I hear otherwise from them.  I've just started so I'm giving myself time to soak it all in and ask a book full of questions until I feel a bit more confident.

Jared,

Thank you.  I think it's great to hear from someone who has participated as a judge as well as a competitor.  I'll probably be asking alot more  questions regarding competitions as I think of them.  It's definitely something I think I want to work towards for next year.

Shantell

Jare Hares & Bears Jan 3, 2006

I always say do what you like and if you are doing what you like you will do well.
If you like making big head bears and animals then do that. And you will put the time into making them correctly and well.
If you like old teddies then make those.
Find what you like and make that.
I can't seem to get away from my big head patterns lately, but I have fun making them. The shoppes keep buying them so I assume that my collectors like them.       :dance:  :dance:
I would like to take the time to develop other designs but for now I must keep my nose in the mohair and my foot on the foot feed. 
Did I mention that I am taking a 2 month leave from my real job? Well I am... I need time to work on school work and time to recharge my batteries.
Happy New Year!

carsoncreations Jan 3, 2006

Jared,

I went to Macomb Walmart Photo Center and picked up a FREE CD to load "My Wal-Mart Digital Photo Center at Home". 

The CD enables you to organize photos, edit and order on line and pickup in-store in an hour.  I already have PS Elments 3.0 so I don't need the editing, but this might be something others can use on their photos.

There is an option to automatic adjust.  I'm wondering is I use this program and not use the auto adjust, if my prints will come out as I have set them on PS Elements.  I'm gonna do a sample run and see what happens.

Oh, I can't get glossy prints using the one-hour service.  Have to use the in-store or mailed to home option.  The one-hour is matte finish.

Hugs,

Wanda