Picture Mosaics: Guidelines

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Guidelines for Choosing a Source

Quicklinks:
Cell Guidelines
Source Guidelines
Submitting Pictures

Q: What is the source?
A: The source is a single picture or image that will be used to map the many cells in order to create a Picture Mosaic. For examples, please visit our mosaic example gallery.

New! Verify that your source will work as a mosaic with our new online tool!

click here

GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING A GOOD SOURCE

(1) You should choose a mosaic print size that matches your source picture that you submit. In other words, select a print size that is proportional to the height and width of you source image. If your print size does not match your source, we will crop your source to match your print size dimensions.

(2) If your source has people's faces, and you wish to have your Picture Mosaic maintain detail in these faces, follow these guidelines:
A: It is best not to use wide angle shots or large group shots (5 or more people).
B: Pictures of people should be close/tight as possible. Faces should be at least 1/3 of the width or height of the photo if you wish to have faces recognizable in the final mosaic.

(3) Whether your source picture contains faces or not, it should not contain intricate details, since many times such details are lost in the Picture Mosaic transformation.

What to do if your source picture doesn't follow the 3 major source guidelines. (click here)

Examples of good sources:

Close up photo of faces	Close up photo of faces	Non-complex close up	Simple silhouette
_	_	_	_
Close up photo of faces	Close up photo of faces	Close up photo of faces	Non-complex close up
_	_	_	_
Most logos work great	Most landscapes work great	Most buildings work great	Most animals work great

Examples of poor sources:
IMPORTANT:
The sources below are poor sources at large, medium, and smaller sizes; however they might work well as an x-large and larger.
The sources below may also be good chooses for sources (at any size) if one is not concerned about facial recognition.

Wide angle group shot	Wide angle shot	Wide angle shot
_	_	_
Wide angle shot	Wide angle shot	Wide angle group shot
_	_	_

The reason why all of the above are poor source choices is because they are either group shoots or wide angle shots.
*Group shots may work only if all faces in the photo are relatively close together, however more than 5 people is
still not recommended if facial recognition is expected in the mosaic.

You may email your source image to us if you are not sure if it will make a good source prior to placing an order online.

What to do if your source picture doesn't follow the 3 major source guidelines. (click here)

Any question or concerns: contact us