Sizes, Prices, and Shipping Rates

David Berger Photography

Sizes, Prices, and Shipping Rates

I have defined four basic size categories, within each of which I have selected a standard size for every image. The categories are Small, Medium, Large, and Huge ("huge" has fewer letters than Gigantic or Enormous, and is not as predictable as Extra-Large). In general these are based on the available widths of Somerset^® Velvet and canvas, which are 24", 36", and 44". The sizes of the printed images are determined by the integer values of length and width, in inches, that most nearly fills the width of the paper or canvas for that category, while still leaving a generous border. This applies to the Medium, Large, and Huge sizes. For small, I tried also to maintain integer values, in inches, of length and width, but in a few cases I had to resort to non-integer values.

The two film formats I have used exclusively are 35 mm and 4x5 inch, and I have noted in the galleries which format was used for each image. The 35 mm frame actually is 24 mm wide by 36 mm long, a ratio of 2 to 3. The 4x5 inch frame actually is slightly smaller than that, closer to 3.75x4.75". For both formats, I use as much of the frame as possible, and crop to the nominal 2:3 or 4:5 Height-to-Width (H-W) ratios. Thus, the standard sizes for most of my images are multiples of these two ratios. For 2:3, the sizes are 10 x 15", 14 x 21", 20 x 30", and 26 x 39"; for 4:5, the sizes are 12 x 15", 16 x 20", 24 x 30", and 32 x 40". These account for perhaps 80% of the images. For the rest, I have used H-W ratios of 1:1 (100%), 5:6 (83.3%), 3:4 (75%), 7:10 (70%), 3:5 (60%), and 1:2 (50%). On each of the gallery pages, for every image, I have created a drop-down list of sizes from which to select.

Of course, as someone once told me, "you can have anything you want as long as you can pay for it." This is not completely true, as there are some things that cannot be had for any price. However, within the confines of reason and practicality, this applies to print sizes. So if, for example, someone really wanted an 8 x 12 instead of a 10 x 15"; or a 20 x 24" instead of a 24 x 30" (not quite the same H-W ratio), I'm sure I would not refuse, unless I got too many requests like that, at which point I might start to say no.

I am aware that some photographers offer sets of images as greeting cards, and I am not averse to that idea, although I don't think I want to make a regular thing out of it (if you look for 'sets of greeting cards' in the "Prices" section, you won't find it, because I don't know how much I would charge). I am also aware that many photographers distribute their work in the form of calendars, and I'm sure I don't want to do that, at least not until I'm world famous. Iron-ons for Tee-shirts: don't even bother to ask.

Prices (in US Dollars)

Just as with everyone else, my prices are "subject to change without notice." Even so, I think they are quite reasonable for this sort of thing:

Small: 70 USD

Medium: 125 USD

Large: 300 USD

Huge: 450 USD

These prices are for the standard sizes, given in the drop-down lists on the gallery pages. For custom sizes, generally I will apply the price for the nearest larger standard size.

These prices do not include shipping. See below for those rates.

These prices also do not include sales tax. I will work that out with the state of California.

Shipping

Prints on canvas or roll paper will be shipped individually in mailer tubes, sized to the smallest standard length. Tubes will be 4" diameter; standard lengths are 18", 24", 36", and 48". The print will be put inside a flat "2 mil" (0.05 mm) polyethylene bag, and then rolled to fit into the mailer tube. The ends of the tube will be attached with heavy-duty staples; please be careful when removing the staples - use needle-nosed pliers or other appropriate tool.

If you order several prints on either of these media, you may prefer to have all of them shipped together in one package. In this case, each print will be bagged individually, but all will be shipped in one low-profile (~ 1" thick) cardboard box.

Prints on heavy art paper will be shipped flat. As with prints on canvas or roll paper, those on heavy art paper will be put inside a flat polyethylene bag. All prints of this type will be shipped in the low-profile cardboard boxes. Multiple-print orders on heavy art paper will be shipped in one package, individually bagged.

Shipping Rates: For the sake of simplicity, in most cases I will charge a fixed rate for each size, regardless of destination. The shipping charge for multiple prints in the same package will be the same as for one print of the largest size in the order. For example, if you were to order two "small," two "medium," and one "huge," the shipping charge would be 30 USD, same as for one "huge" print. If you want these shipped separately, a separate shipping charge will apply to each one (for this same example, the combined shipping charge would be 60 USD). Overseas and most domestic shipments will be via air. To keep rates low, I will select generally slower delivery service.

If you feel that you must have a rush delivery, you will have to tell me this as soon as possible, along with the exact date by which you must receive the shipment. If I determine that the delivery time you are asking for is unreasonably or impossibly short, I will not accept the order on those terms. If the time is short but not unreasonably so, I will charge the actual rate for delivery, but I will add a $50 fee for the extra anxiety.

Standard rates (in US Dollars) are as follows:

Small: 5 USD

Medium: 10 USD

Large: 20 USD

Huge: 30 USD

If the actual charge to ship to an address is significantly more than these rates, I will quietly inform you of that fact; you will then have to decide if you want to proceed with the purchase or not.