Getting a CD of Your Photos

Many digital photographers (and some film photographers) will offer a CD of photos, either as part of their packages or as an add-on. If this option interests you, be sure you understand exactly what will be on the CD. Here are some questions to ask about the photos on the CD:

What resolution will the photos be at? Will they be 72dpi? (72dpi is fine for emailing and posting on a web page, but that's about it.) Will they be 180dpi or greater? (You need a minimum of 180dpi for nice prints.) Will they have watermarks (such as the company name) or "Proof" written across them? Will they be the same as any finished prints you receive? Will you have the right to have reprints made from the CD? What format are they in? (Usually you will be able to print from a jpg.) Are they scans from prints? (This is usually only the case with film.)

Some photographers (such as myself) call these CD files your "digital negatives". In my case this means that the photos on the CD are actually the same files that I print from. They are either 180 or 300 dpi jpgs, without any watermarks, and I grant permission for printing for personal use. Others may offer a CD that's just for previewing, so be sure to check with your photographer to find out exactly what's included.

© 2004-2008 Jacqueline L. Beck. All rights reserved.