Lately, I’ve been coming down hard on apps with low-res and super-low-res output. Low resolution images simply don’t print well. Higher resolutions and output sizes are of utmost importance in photography. Higher resolutions improve image clarity and sharpness and helps to reduce “artifacts” in your images.
There may be instances where you will want to output your iPhoneography as a traditional photographic print or inkjet photo. Low resolution images really limit the sizes at which you can output prints. At best, edges in your photo objects will be blurry and fuzzy. In the worst cases, your prints may look chunky and pixelated.
Even the 1200×1600 pixel resolution of the very first iPhones will print 6″ x 8″ images at 200 ppi (pixels per inch) with very good results and up to 8″ x 10.67″ at 150 ppi with acceptable results. You can go larger, but the sharpness of your images will drop off dramatically at lower resolutions.
You can get even bigger, sharper prints from the iPhone 3GS and its 1536×2048 resolution. You can get good looking 8″ x 10.67″ prints at 192 ppi and acceptable quality 10.5″ x 14″ prints at 146 ppi.
Your mileage may vary and there will always be exceptions where some images may not print well using these guidelines and some may print fine at even lower resolutions.
Although most iPhoneography is being presented online where 800×600 ppi resolution is often adequate, with the increase in gallery shows, photographic print sales and even just for gift-giving, print resolution and output size should be an important factor to consider in your workflow.
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