Frequently Asked Questions

We produce genuine silver halide photographic prints on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper.  We offer Luster and Glossy finishes.  This is true light sensitive paper exposed on our Noritsu, Fuji and Chromira photographic wet lab printers.

We started sharpprints.com in 2013 when our local photo finishing markets started to dry up.  With all the machine capacity we had we decided to offer super low prices to a national market in order to keep our efficiencies up for our retail lab.  We simply offered our extra capacity at a deep discount. 

As time went on we quickly became very popular nation wide and we are now able to continue to offer these killer prices because the system is so efficient.  The prices we offer are rock bottom.  Now because of our volume we are able to use efficient software, high quality chemicals and paper at the lowest prices on the planet!

A photograph is copyright protected from the instant a photographer clicks the camera.  This copyright belongs to the creator.  Even though you purchased a photograph or a digital file you do not own the copyright unless the creator grants you this right.  We need to verify this right or copyright in order to comply with the law and protect your liability as well as our own.

Who is an Author?  “Under the copyright law, the creator of the original expression in a work is its author. The author is also the owner of the copyright unless there is a written agreement by which the author assigns the copyright to another person or entity, such as a publisher. In cases of work made for hire, the employer or commissioning party is considered to be the author."

Unless you have express permission from the author or copyright owner you may not reproduce, copy, distribute, publicly display or create a derivative work from any image.  We will check every image for copyright marks, water marks as well as meta data verify ownership and originality.  If we suspect an image does not meet these tests we will ask for copyright ownership verification or refuse to print these images.  In addition there may be a charge for violating this policy so be sure you actually own the copyrights to all images submitted for printing.

Copyright infringement, as a general rule, occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.

You may make legal copies of professional photographs by contacting the photographer or copyright owner and ask for a copyright release or purchase the right to reprint a photograph.

You can use the Photographer Registry Website to locate a photographer/copyright owner at www.photographerregistry.com so you can obtain permission.  You may also try to identify ownership of an image at www.tineye.com where you can do a reverse image search.  Then you may contact the copyright owner and request permission or purchase a copyright release.

Aspect ratio is a term used to describe the ratio between the width and the height of an image. The reason aspect ratio is often ignored is quite simple - the aspect ratio of your photos depends on the camera you use. Generally, digital SLRs, regardless of sensor size or megapixels, use the 3:2 aspect ratios. It simply means that the short side is two-thirds of the long side of the frame. This ratio would give you the print equivalencies of a 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, and 20x30.  A digital compact camera generally uses 4:5 ratios. This would give you a 4x5, 8x10, or a 16x20 print.

With that being said, if you order an 8x10 image from a 3:2 aspect ratio image you will lose 2 inches of your image. So, please be aware cropping will occur.  When you select a size you will notice the cropping that will occur.  You can alter or move this cropping box to attain the most pleasing composition.