How can I photograph and print an object at true 1:1 actual size?
Asked 2/20/2020
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I need to photograph a square object about 6.25 × 6.25 inches (roughly 159 × 159 mm) and print it so the print matches the object's real size. Does the camera need to be at a specific distance, or is there a reliable way to capture and print it at true scale?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
3
I am trying to fix my vinyl floor...
Sounds like it would not ruin the aesthetics of your photos if you laid a ruler on the floor, and included it in the frame when you took the picture.
My own next step* would be to open the original in an image editor (e.g., https://www.gimp.org/). I would use the editor to measure how many image pixels per inch-of-ruler, and I would save a copy that declares itself to have that many pixels per inch of paper.
I would expect to get an actual-size printout when I sent the copy to my printer, and I could easily verify that by comparing the ruler in the picture to the actual ruler. If I missed the mark, I could calculate how much bigger or smaller to make the printout, and I probably would nail it on the second try.
* But, learning to edit photos may not be something that you'll master in a single sitting. At least, you'll have the ruler in the photo to show the true scale, and maybe that could reduce the number of rounds of trial-and-error you'll need if you insist on having a truly 1:1 printout.
Originally by user51833. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user51833
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The camera does not need to be at one exact distance if your goal is a true-size print. What matters is scale calibration.
A simple method is to place a ruler or other accurate scale in the same plane as the object when you take the photo. Then, in an image editor, measure how many pixels correspond to a known real-world length and set the print size from that. You can verify the result by comparing the printed ruler in the photo to a real ruler, then adjust if needed.
If you specifically want 1:1 magnification in-camera, that is called unity or life-size (1:1). At 1:1, the subject is recorded on the sensor at actual size, but the needed camera distance depends on focal length and lens design, so there is no single universal distance.
For practical copying, keep the camera fixed and parallel to the subject to avoid distortion, make sure the whole subject is sharp, and include a scale reference. For many jobs, especially if you only need an accurately sized printout, calibrating from a ruler in the image is the easiest and most reliable approach.
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