All I can think of to suggest is to keep running searches with different keywords.

But my big question is finding pics that can't be found.

By definition wouldn't this be an impossibility?



I've had to go with a few lower quality pictures. For some of the older shows that's all you can get. Although I did a search on Yahoo for Diana Muldar and some weren't too bad. Seems to be mainly the ones from when she was on the original series. You could also send the best one you can find, apologize for it's quality, and ask if she has a better one she can substitute. I've tried that. I haven't heard back from any of those yet so I can't say if it works or not. When I wrote to Scorpion I told them I couldn't find any good cast photos and they provided one for me. Good luck.

Using some ideas from this thread, I have been able to find some great pics that aren't even available to buy online. I printed them out and am sending a batch soon.

But my big question is finding pics that can't be found.

Case in point. I love Star Trek, and have almost every cast member's signature, from all series and movies. As a completist, I don't have Diana Muldaur, (Dr. Pulaski), from season 2 of TNG. Can't find one decent enough anywhere. Yes, there are some screen grabs from some DVDs that I found, but they aren't quite that good. Any ideas?

I just got some from Shutterfly that came out pretty good. They're kind of pricey, though. I think around $4.00 per picture. I only did it because I had a coupon for $20.00 worth of stuff. The nice thing about them is that they will warn you if your picture won't look good if you blow it up to a certain size. This keeps you from having a bunch of pixelation due to enlarging a 5x7 up to 8x10.

I get 6x4s maybe that's why I'm not understanding your list of problems? But I usually have to crop my pictures (the online stores have a a range of automatic tools) to fit so maybe not.

When you order online (I assume this applies to most sites) you can get images printed to a certain size, they don't have to be exactly 8x10 to start with. As above I usually need to crop pictures to fit them to 6x 4 size. I just choose a large picture from Google, upload to the website then they work their magic on it.

You can even use the same photo to get different size prints. The website does the work for you, no need to be checking the dimensions to make sure they are at least 8x10 beforehand ,ive never done that for mine and 99% if not higher of my prints have come out just fine.

I order online from snapfish and have them delivered. I have had zero copyright issues that way. You are going to come up against those issues in store frequently as you have found out.

And as mentioned previously, shopping during a sale or special offer means I don't worry if a print doesn't come up that good they are so cheap. Sometimes I get a couple different pics printed to see which is nicest when the arrive.

I understand you want the pictures coming out good, but it seems to me to are over thinking it and making it complicated where it doesn't need to be frankly.

It really is as simple as: find large image, download, upload to online store, edit/preview, then order.

I did use Google images, (even Bing) and used the settings to view large images of at least 2 MP (1600x1200). When I find an image I like, I open it in Photoshop to check the dimensions in inches. It has to be at least an 8x10.

Then I check the image for flaws, and possible watermarks which isn't always evident just viewing in a browser.

I also looked into Snapfish. I can do that online, and pick them up at Walgreen's or Walmart, or just go to the store. This way, I can be sure they're handled correctly. And, not sure about Snapfish's policy, but I can decline a photo if it doesn't print good enough to my liking when I just print them in a store. Has anyone tried printing copyrighted material on there, and what happened?

Finally, what other source would you use if you can't find a hi-res pic of someone online?

Use Google to search for images (image search)and upload them to a photo printing site, have them delivered.

It really does not need to be any more complicated than that.

Amazing how hard its been for you, it sounds like you could do with finding a good online printer.

Did you use Google images and use the settings to view large images?

Well. finally I was able to solve my problem.
I downloaded some hi-res pix,and saved them in bitmaps as 2 types: original size, and resized to 8x10.

I went to a Wal-green's near my house, asked to use the photo kiosk as I'd never used one before. Sadly, the manager was helping me. Sat down, plugged in my flash drive, made some selections.

He asked, "Are you the original copyright holder of these photos?" I replied no, as I downloaded them for the sole purpose of mailing them to the stars to get signed, and I wasn't selling them.

So he proceeds to raise a ruckus about copyright laws, how they could get into trouble...and I pointed out that some pics I got off the celeb's own websites. And I can't BUY these photos anywhere so I'd have to print them myself. He kept fussing so I just left.

Went to a Walmart, and the photo manager was standing right behind me, eyeballing the pics. I knew he was going to ask about copyrights, and he did. So I just left.

Went to another Wal-green's, and it was glorious. The photo gal was very helpful, and left me alone while I worked. She also showed me they had a special in the store flyer for photo enlargements, so it saved me some dough.

My printed photos were just as good or better than I'd buy online or get at shows, glossy on Fuji paper. Three pics cost me $9 and change with that promo.
Yeah, Wal-green's!

Now, how am I going to find hi-res photos of actors/actresses when I can't find them online and nobody sells them? Diana Muldaur from Star Trek: TNG. Can't find a decent Pulaski pic anywhere. Only one close is sold on Amazon, but the quality is not good.

I use snapfish online who also have a US site.

Sign up to the emails will get you frequent discount codes (if it is like the UK) and I never pay full price, often get free postage etc.

I just upload pictures to an album there as I need them, and order when there is a special offer on.

They can be so cheap you can easily try different photos and get prints of them all.