The Megapixel Question

If you just can't seem to figure out how to translate Megapixels into something useful like print size, then this chart will be a big help.

Each colored box represents a certain number of megapixels. The numbers along the top and left side are print dimensions in inches at 300ppi (pixels per inch). Most books and magazines require 300ppi for photo quality. For example, the chart shows that you can make a 5" x 7" photo quality print from a 3 megapixel camera.

inches @ 300ppi (numbers inside colored boxes are megapixels)

Notice that as the print size doubles, the megapixels required increases geometrically. You can make nice 8" x 10" prints with a 6 or 8 megapixel camera, but to make a true photo quality 16" x 20" print, you need between 24 and 30 megapixels. Don't be fooled by manufacturers' claims that say you can make 16" x 20" prints from an 8 megapixel camera. While you certainly can make a print that size, it will not be true photo quality.

Information and chart provided by design215.com. For more information go to http://design215.com/toolbox/megapixels.php.

New company gets a jump start with Skidmutro

Just last week, we helped launch a new company and website... www.LifeInHarmony.biz. Their mission is to help "parents, grandparents and caregivers give children the gift of positive self-esteem, hassle-free bedtimes and a harmonious home environment." Please check out their website www.lifeinharmony.biz to see how we designed a logo and created a site that provides a sense of harmony and peace.

We also designed a book and CD set called "Sleep Loved One Sleep." I have a 2-year-old son that loves their products. This book and CD provides a peaceful transition from the hectic day to the tranquility of bedtime.

We are very excited about the launch and wish them the best of luck with their business.

If you are looking for a book or website designer, check out www.skidmutro.com.

Optimized and loving it!

For the past couple of months, we have been working hard to get our website Search Engine Optimized. Well, we've done it! Check out our ranking for the following key phrases…

Google's Search Results PAGE 1:
• Publication Design Philadelphia
• Digital Editions Philadelphia
• Newsletter Design Philadelphia
• Conference Identity Design Philadelphia

Google's Search Results PAGE 2:
• Event Design Philadelphia
• Magazine Design Philadelphia
• Book Design Philadelphia

Google's Search Results PAGE 3:
• Philadelphia Graphic Design
• Trade Show Graphics Philadelphia

Photography Enhancing Video

It is amazing how quickly technology is changing. Take a look at this video about using photography to enhance video.

One of my clients always says how amazing it is that we can remove objects from photographs, but doing it in these videos is even more amazing.



Using Photographs to Enhance Videos of a Static Scene from pro on Vimeo.

SEO is more than just submitting my URL

I recently went to a SEO seminar hosted by Network Solutions. I was shocked to find out that my own website, www.skidmutro.com, was not optimized for searches on Google, Yahoo, MSN etc. It was a big wake up call. It's true when they say that "you are your own worst client." I really had put off working on my own website in order to work on paying jobs. What I've come to realize is that my website IS a paying job. If I'm going to pull in new paying clients from web searches, then I need to put my own website on the top of the list.

I have to say that I was impressed with Network Solutions and their presentation. They didn't do the "big sell" during the seminar, but of course they did try to get your to buy their products. They offered a great line of solutions, but I found that doing it myself may be more cost effective at this time.

I started by introducing relevent keywords into my pages. I had been skipping this step, not realizing that I needed to add those into the meta tag in order for Google to see them. Google needs to be beat over the head with keywords in order for your ranking to get better.

I also rewrote all of my title tags to be unique on each page and relevant to the content on the page.

NS also suggested that content, content, and more content is the way to go. I had also steered away from too much content on my site, figuring that no one wanted to read a bunch of text. BUT Google is always searching for unique content and the more you have, the more you will be considered relevant for your topic. So I added some content.

I added a page about my new product – Digital Editions. We are now offering online solutions for publications and I really didn't have enough content about them to trigger any response in Google.

I added a News about Skidmutro page that will have unique content updated often to keep it fresh. Apparently the other thing about content is that it's fresh. You must update your website often, so that the "spiders" will keep coming back. If they don't see new content eventually, they will stop coming. They will think that the pages never change, so why bother.

AND, I added this blog. This is my first entry and I hope that it will encourage others to do the same. It's so important that you are seen online. You can have the best designed site, but if no one can find you, then you might as well have just flushed your money down the toilet.

Call Skidmutro today for a risk free quote on publication design, website design, search engine optimization or Digital Editions.

Sierra Skidmore, 215-627-4945 x11
or email me at sierra@skidmutro.com