I'd like to make a quality, frameable picture of a packed PHP (like the ones you can buy of Nou Camp, the Bernabeau, etc.) and hang it in my office. I've got a little "FCD shrine" at work, and it has motivated co-workers to ask me about the team, the stadium, MLS, soccer, etc. So, I was thinking I would scan the "Seasons Greetings" card they mailed out -- it's a very sweet picture of PHP at MLS Cup 2005. If anybody has suggestions for a better one, I'd love to hear/see them. My question is, since I've never done something like this can somebody tell me if there are any tips to getting a higher-quality picture? I know that you can scan things using various settings, and that if you're going to enlarge an image then you need to use higher scan settings. Is that right? Any tips on what an appropriate setting might be to get the 3x5 greeting card to look good as an 8x10 (or thereabouts) glossy? Any standard rule on how large I might be able to go before the picture degrades? Could I make a poster-sized print of that greeting card? Or would the image degrade by that point? Any and all suggestions appreciated.
You need the origional picture as it came out of the camera. Any pro is probably shooting a very high resolution and that origional can probably blow up to about 40 inches without losing quality. So email or call FCD. Try your ticket rep, or even the PR or community relations department. If they made the card with it, they probably own the very large origional.
You could go to one of the print shops around Dallas and get a very high quality scan from one of their top end scanners.
That's exactly what I was thinking of doing, actually. I have access to a scanner here at work, but I don't know if it would capture a resolution precise enough to still look good after enlarging the image.
Which is why I said to just ask FCD, I bet they would give you a copy if you are only going to use it for yourself.
Ownership of image and licensing rights can be very tricky with a still image, unlike a video clip. Ask your FCD ticket rep, but don't be surprised if it gets 'complicated'.
One would think that they would sell items like this at mlsgear.com - at least photos of the SSS like HD, PHP, even Gillette I guess. You know how like other teams across the world sell stadium photos, team photos, pre-game lineup photos and posters, calendars, etc....Real ground breaking stuff. In MLS you have to beg to your ticket rep to move heaven and earth.
People who know what they're doing with digital files can do some amazing stuff. I had a two page poster in SI For Kids of Freddy Adu a couple of years ago. They took a small portion of a 4 megapixel original and managed to blow it up to 17x11. I think a version is still online. They cut Freddy out of this photo The main problem with the stadium shots is having a high quality wide angle lens.
They should have one of those little models like you can get of Fenway or other stadiums. I'm sure the Franklin Mint guys are holding their breath waiting to do an MLS series.
This guy (Steve) advertised in the December issue of "Inside Frisco Sports" magazine, local to us Frisco-nians He advertised a beautiful overhead shot of PHP @ the MLS cup. Totally worthy of a frame. My wife wants to purchase a copy of the pic and have our MLS cup tickets framed and matted with it. I don't see it specifically posted on his site, here: www.ecoreimaging.com/ptg347/ but go to this link and click "download current issue" www.insidefriscosports.com The current issue posted is December 2005 with Eddie Johnson on the cover. All the way back on page 32 is the pic. (Be sure to read the article on EJ too). Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any trouble finding it. -Erik
That is indeed a very cool pic. Thanks for pointing it out! But so far, I'm still partial to this one:
Ah the FCD season ticket holder Christmas Card! I have mine up at the office. Good stuff! I actually had a co-worker ask me about it the other day. She said "Oh, I've never known anyone who likes soccer". WOW...
I scanned the postcard & it saved as 1904x1387 pixel jpeg. I printed it on 8.5x11 sized paper & it looks decent. PM me if you'd like me to email it.