The low-down on hi-res photos

An expert tip written by Carolyn Pongracz of In Bloom Photography (with special thanks to Lisa Mark Photography)

Most photography packages these days include a CD or DVD of images to keep. But, what kind of files are on that disc, and what can you do with them? Many photographers work in different ways, but here’s a guide to different terms you may come across in your hunt for a photographer.

High vs. Medium Resolution

High Resolution – Images that have a pixels-per-inch (ppi) of 300 or more are considered high resolution. The more pixels per inch, the more digital information there is, and will give you a sharper image even if you make large sized prints.

Medium Resolution – Some photographers offer medium resolution images on disc, which are generally suitable for making prints up to 5x7 in size. Great if you just want a small back-up of all your images, but not so great if you want to have more options in printing enlargements.

Low Resolution – Some photographers give you low resolution prints on disc, so you have a catalogue of each photo that was taken at your wedding. These proofs aren’t really good for making actual prints because their quality is diminished. You can really only email these or put them online to view. Be sure to ask what resolution you’re receiving with your package!

Note: Many photographers offer low-res images on disc to help brides choose their prints or to allow them to share shots with friends. A proof disc, essentially.

Types of Files

Raw File – This is the file that comes directly from the photographer’s camera. No corrections are done yet. This file is huge and only special software can read it. Raw files are not able to be printed at photo labs either. So, you don’t want the raw files after your wedding.

Tiff File – High quality, but not really higher than high resolution jpeg. Tiff is WAY too large (would take up several discs) and does NOT offer quality that is visually better. Generally, tiff files are used in commercial print jobs (like billboards), but unnecessary for wedding clients. Plus, a lot of consumer labs can’t read these files so there is no real benefit to receiving tiff files.

High Resolution JPEG – This file has had basic colour correction and exposure adjustments done. No special retouching (blemish removal, special colour work, cropping, etc.) is done at this point. A client can print any size enlargement from this file. This is the ideal format to be given after the wedding if you want to print your own pictures. It is also the most popular type of file included on wedding discs these days – ask your photographer if this is what they offer!

RETOUCHED High Resolution JPEG – Retouched means something different to everyone. Any photographer with experience will explain that it is almost impossible to fully retouch every single photo because of the extensive time that goes into retouching. Instead, most photographers will fully retouch only the specific images that you choose for albums and prints, turning them into wonderful works of art! Be wary of anyone that is offering to fully retouch every single photo from your wedding; either they will be charging you a lot of money for the amount of time it takes to do this, or they’ll be using a simple Photoshop action that might look good on a few of your photos but not so great on 95% of them.

Why order prints from a professional photographer?

When you order a print from a reputable photographer, your photos will be sent to a professional lab. That means, the images are calibrated to be printed out exactly as the photographer intends at this specific lab. Going to a commercial lab (like those found in big box stores) can end up being fine, but there’s a much higher chance that skin tones will look too green or too orange, and other colours will be inaccurate (purple looking like blue is common). Prints from your photographer are retouched and polished, then printed on archival papers that will retain their colour and beauty far longer than consumer papers. Yes, it does cost more than printing the photos yourself, but the reason is because of the retouching and quality control time, combined with the pro lab cost. You are paying for quality from a professional who knows how to give you the best product for your money.