? about print size for "call for entries"

jgcull · May 13, 2009

First I will say, I have e-mailed this question to the listed address but I have not gotten a reply.

The rules for the National Portrait Gallery's call for entries states:

"must be unmounted and on paper no smaller than 420 x 297mm (A3 size)... The image may be smaller than the paper size" (What is "A3 size"?)

I converted it to inches and it's 16.5354 x 11.6929". While it's not a standard paper size, more importantly my easel doesn't extend that large. I know I can otherwise flatten paper (hopefully) enough to print without an easel, but it just seems odd that a standard paper size would not be recommended. It makes me think, or hope, I'm misunderstanding something here.

Any experienced comments you can make? Thank you!

Janet

Doremus Scudder · May 13, 2009

Janet,

A3 is a standard European paper size. A4 is similar to letter size, but longer and narrower, A3 is twice the size of A4. From what you quote above, you need to submit an unmounted print on photo paper that size or larger. If you are printing on US standard size papers, that means 16x20 to start and trim to a size you like. Unfortunately, it seems that 11x14-inch paper or even UK 12x16-inch paper will not work.

Seems really silly to me too, especially since photo papers in Europe are usually found in the standard inch-sizes we are used to in the US. Who are these people anyway? ...

Best,

Doremus Scudder
www.DoremusScudder.com

Muihlinn · May 13, 2009

use 12x16 or 16x20 which is very standard in the photo world. if you don't have an easel, use a clean glass and rulers, which is a cheap replacement.

mikeg · May 13, 2009

A3 isn't just a European size, it's the ISO international standard which all but a handful of countries now use . Obviously, the traditional darkroom papers that we use tend to be measured in inches, but digital papers, again with the exception of a small handful of countries, are in ISO sizes, A4, A3, A2 etc. There is also A3+ (13x19in).

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_216 for details.

Cheers

Mike

jim appleyard · May 13, 2009

Hi Janet, I can't help you with your question, but KNOCK "EM DEAD with your entries!

jgcull · May 13, 2009

Doremus, here's a link to the thread about the Nat'l Portrait Gallery:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

jgcull · May 13, 2009

By the way, thank you all for your replies!

Janet

Doremus Scudder · May 14, 2009

Thanks for the link Janet.

My sarcastic reply was off-base: For some reason I thought it was a US organization requiring a non-US standard size. This, of course, is a UK portrait gallery, and of course wants a UK standard size for the entries.

I believe that 12x16 paper is smaller than A3, and might disqualify you. Play it safe, get 16x20 paper, buy yourself a decent easel or get some coated glass and go for it. And, good luck!

And Mike: Yes, I realize that the US is (still) out of step with the rest of the world... It's a never ending source of frustration for me, who lives on two continents. Videos, electric appliances, envelopes and paper sizes, cell phones, etc., etc., are all incompatible... I need two sets of a lot of things that I really shouldn't.

Best,

Doremus Scudder
www.DoremusScudder.com
Best

Martin Aislabie · May 14, 2009

It is a very sad and telling request.

Inkjet Photo paper is generally sold in the International A? sizes.

Therefore who ever wrote the rules at the UK National Portrait Gallery is expecting Inkjet Prints to be submitted.

Whether the decision was a conscious one or not - it tells me at least what a niche market we analogue users have become

Martin

delphine · May 14, 2009

I would not have jumped to that conclusion Martin.

I may have lived in this country for a long time, I am still strangely reluctant to inches. I find cm and mm logical and easier! anyway, weren't we meant to transition to the metric system?

? about print size for "call for entries"

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