PRINTING

DIGITAL SNAPSHOTS

By PETER WEINBERGER

Making prints used to be a real problem for many people with a digital camera. That problem simply no longer exists. The options for processing prints are getting less expensive and easier to use. Here are some guidelines when going to your local photo lab.

Old-fashioned way

Many photo labs use the same process whether dealing with film or a memory card. With digital media, they will return the card and copy the images on a CD. This is an easy way to get prints with little fuss. The down side: Printing pictures you do not want, or only having one copy of a picture you really like. It also can be more expensive.

Editing at the photo lab

With a little advance effort, I recommend finding a lab that has a kiosk or computer to select and edit your pictures onsite. Although not all labs are alike, the process is similar. Here's how it works at a lab such as Costco.

1. Print stations are set up to download your digital images on their computers. They accept any media, including CDs.

2. Once your images are in their computer, you will see a browser to view all of them in a proofsheet-type format.

3. By following instructions on the touch screen, select your pictures for printing, including size options and number of copies.

4. When finished, take your memory card with you, fill out an envelope with your information, and drop it off. One hour later the prints will be ready.

There are several things to keep in mind when using a local lab for digital printing. Your photos will be cropped slightly to fit the size format. If an image was exposed poorly, there will be little you can do without paying for a custom print. Finally, the cost for a 4- by 6-inch print should be around 19-35 cents.