AboutScott Valentine Expertise Most anything about digital post processing (Photoshop, etc), effects, and image restoration, some technical information about digital imaging systems, light and electron microscopy, optical physics and image analysis. I can help with shooting basics, lighting setups, and getting the most out of your digital camera. I am also an 'expert' here for Photoshop (Computers/Technology > Software > Graphics Software > Photoshop).
Please - NO operating, trouble-shooting, or purchase questions on point-and-shoot or video cameras.
Experience Author, "Real World Compositing with Photoshop CS4" (available January 2009 from Peachpit.com). I've been an image analyst and advanced amateur photographer for over 6 years. I run an Adobe user group, focusing on digital media, and have lectured on digital image capture systems. Currently, I am an administrator for a rather large instructional Photoshop forum
Organizations Adobe User Groups, National Association of Photoshop Professionals, Advanced Imaging Specialists
Publications CommunityMX.com, Real World Compositing with Photoshop CS4 (Adobe Press)
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Physics, University of California, San Diego
Awards and Honors Winner: Best in Show and several category first place awards - Imaging Professionals of the Southwest Print Competition (multiple years)
Question QUESTION: Hi Scott, I recently printed some pictures that were stored in my computer from my digital camera. The problem is when the pictures came out, they were al blurry. I almost had a heart attack because they were pictures from my children when they were babies. Is there something I can do to repair the images?
ANSWER: Hi Elsa,
Let me express my sympathy for your plight - it's never fun to discover treasured pictures have problems!
Without seeing the degree of blur, I can't really tell you if there's any hope or not. Typically, only very minor blurring issues can be corrected, and even then, it's not perfect. If there is anything more than a few pixels, there's not much you can do.
One suggestion would be to take the images on the card or a CD to a professional photo finishing studio or professional retouching service. They will at least be able to tell you if the images can be recovered or not. It's likely that you won't be able to do much on your own, so be prepared if they tell you they can do it for a price (which is usually not insignificant, depending on the corrections).
There is a chance that there is simply a problem with your printer itself. Try cleaning it, and making sure the ink and paper are meant to work together. If the images look good on your screen, but print out with odd, blocky patches, then you are either trying to print them too large or there's a problem with your printer software. If you are sure the size is not too large, try looking for new software from your printer manufacturer.
Another option is to print the images smaller - this can help hide the blur or blocky look.
Let me know if this works for you - if not, please post a sample image that is not printing correctly, and describe exactly the blur or issues you are seeing.
Cheers,
-Scott
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The pictures were downloaded to my husband's memory stick and were printed at a well known local store. They looked fine and clear on my computer screen. It is only when they were printed when they came out blurry. The associate in the store printed a couple of the same pictures that were still stored in the camera's memory stick and came out fine. The problem is that I've already deleted most of the pictures in my camera,unless there is a miracle that can recover those deleted images and put them back on the memory stick. I would also like to know what is a proper size image? How do I set my camera to have the correct megabytes (if that's what's the problem) in order to take fine pictures and for them not to come out blurry. Someone told me that I need to change the resolution in my camera, is it true?
Answer It's possible that when you loaded the images from your camera to the computer that they were reduced in size. Some software does this without asking.
I recommend burning the images to a CD or other storage device and having the store take a look at the size of each image. Also have them check to see if there is a format problem. There may be nothing they can do, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
If the image have been saved at a lower resolution, then there's really nothing you can do except print at a smaller size or have a professional run them through a resizing application for you (not a perfect solution, but it may work for you).
There is a chance that any deleted images can be recovered - check with the memory card manufacturer or the following site for a 3rd party solution:
The software on that site offers several options for recovery of lost or deleted images, but they are not miracle workers :)
Before you try these solutions, do NOT take any more pictures on the card in question, or you will risk overwriting the data.
As for image size, the typical print size should come out to be 150 pixels per inch or better. Take the number of pixels in the long direction, and divide by the long direction of your print paper. For example, if the long direction of your image is 500 pixels, and you want to print on a 4" x 5" piece of paper, then you'd divide 500 pixels by 5 inches and get 100 pixels per inch. That may yield acceptable results, but higher is better (to a point). For 8x10 portraits, you should print from files that are 1200x1500 pixels at a minimum.
Your camera should have resolution settings, but remember that higher resolution takes up more space on your memory card. I highly recommend that you carry 2-3 cards at least, and copy all of your images to your computer as soon as you are able. Leaving them on the card is just asking for disaster. Each camera's settings are different, so check your user manual or call the manufacturer for help.
