Originally Posted: January 9, 2023
Updated: December 16, 2023

Introduction

When I talk about ‘large format’ imaging, I get numerous questions about:

That prompted me to write this post.

Let’s start by looking at three examples presentable via the web; all images range in the 250-600 Megapixel size (I do have pictures that are 1-4 Gigapixels in size; however, these examples are more aesthetically pleasing).

I include the complete image and slices of the image at 100% zoom to demonstrate the resolution of these large-format photographs.

Haleakala Crater

This image is still a work in progress; however, it illustrates the size of the picture.

The first image is the photograph zoomed all the way out to see the entire scene.

Image Details:

  • 66 frames over 3 rows
  • Stitched size of 34,111 x 13,494 pixels or 460 Megapixels
  • Large enough that printing with a standard output of 300DPI, the print will measure 113 x 45 inches (big enough to print an awesome print on my Epson 9900).

The 2nd image (big yellow box) is a sample of the image at 50% zoom.

This image is still a work in progress; however, it illustrates the size of the image.  The first image is the photograph zoomed all the way out to see the entire scene.

Image Details:

  • 66 frames over 3 rows
  • Stitched size of 34,111 x 13,494 pixels or 460 Megapixels
  • Large enough that printing with a common output of 300DPI, the print will measure 113 x 45 inches (big enough to print an awesome print on my Epson 9900).

The 2nd image (big yellow box) is a sample of the image at 50% zoom.

The final 2 images are the source file’s 1:1 (100%) zooms.

Notice the fully blooming SilverSword in the 1st image? and the hikers taking a break in the 2nd image?

When I printed this image originally on a 24-inch Epson the print was 24 x 60 inches @ 570DPI source output, and I had to place my face several inches from the surface to see the hikers and the SilverSword.

The Beehive – Winter


As with many of my large format images, the Beehive in Winter is high resolution enough to yield several surprises when viewing it at full resolution for the first time.

The full-width image.

Now, the observation hut at the top of the mountain.

I have hiked to this hut numerous times, and the view from the top of the mountain is spectacular.

That said, I was surprised when I saw it in this image. I would never have imagined capturing enough detail to resolve people standing in the hut (assuming they were there on this cold and snowy day).

Canadian Pond Hockey

Finally, the best example is one of my favourites.

Canadian Pond Hockey is a high-resolution, large-format image taken with my Gigapan.

As with the other examples, the clarity of this image when printed at 44 x 110 inches, even with your face almost touching the print, is impressive, something that cannot be genuinely realized on the web.

Full-width image.

Conclusion

I hope this post helps demonstrate the overall resolution of these large-format images and aids in answering how large is large.

I can state with fact that having printed many of these images in 24 x 65 inches and 44 x 110+ inches fine art prints; the website cannot do justice to the high resolution that the source images capture.

That said, I need to note that I pursue high-resolution photography from a fine art point of view and not from a “technical arms race” to make the high-resolution image possible for high-resolution sake.

I may be a geek at heart; however, the artist in me takes over when I chase these high-resolution images.

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