Why Does iPhoto 08 Crop Print Outs ???

Question

Hi. I would appreciate a little help here.
I am trying to print out some 8" x 10" photos with borders, in landscape paper orientation, using an Intel Dual Core iMac, Mac OS 10.4.11, iPhoto 08 ver 7.1.2, approved HP Printer and HP Driver, on 8 1/2" x 11" HP Premium Photo Paper, at maximum dpi.
File resolutions are generally:
1600 x 1200 (2 Mega Pixels, 4:3 image aspect ratio, 395 KB file size),
2048 x 1536 (3 Mega Pixels, 4:3 image aspect ratio, 790 KB file size),
2560 x 1920 (5 Mega Pixels, 4:3 image aspect ratio, 2.2 MB file size), and
3264 x 2448 (8 Mega Pixels, 4:3 image aspect ratio, 3.6 MB file size).
The problem I'm having is that iPhoto prints the photo by cropping approx 1/4" off the left side and 1/2" off the right side of the screen image without indicating there will be any loss of image content. The screen image DOES NOT accurately reflect the printed image.
Like most people that take pictures, I frame the shots the way I wanted the picture to look. In a picture of a family reunion the person on the far left would have half his head and body chopped off (missing) while the person on the far right would be totally cut out (missing). What I see on the screen IS NOT what I get when printed out. And of course, it does this consistently without warning. Why?
I would accept uneven borders, but want the entire picture to print. Something I would have thought to be the default settings for iPhoto when printing "with borders." Foolish me.
I understand some cropping might have to take place when printing "border-less" printouts, but not for those "with borders." There out to be a law against doing this without conscent.
HP PhotoSmart will do this for me, but it's rather a hassle to have to transfer pictures over each time I want a satisfactory print out.
How do I get my pictures in iPhoto 08 to print out "entirely?" Dare I say "normally?"
Have tried many settings changes in iPhoto and Preview to no avail.
Please help.

Answer 1

Hi LarryNH,
Thanks for your timely reply.
Ok, let's do the math. What the heck?
Pick out a photo in your iPhoto library that you can view and print out in Landscape View.
Preferably a photo that you can instantly recognize the border changes in, or with rulers or grid lines. If possible, let's make it an image with a 4:3 ratio too.
Chances are you will be able to see the entire photo on your screen — even though your screen mostly likely is not one with a 4:3 image aspect ratio (pixel Width divided by pixel Height). Hmmmmmm.
Now print out the photo using iPhoto 08, letter paper size with borders. (Save yourself some ink by choosing the lowest dpi or fast printing)
For me, actual image size was 10 1/16 "W by 8 1/4 "H. The letter paper size print out has a 5/16 " border on the left and a 5/8 " border on the right (not centered, even though it's supposed to be). Both top and botton borders measure 1/8 " (centered, like its supposed to be).
Notice any chopping off of the image on the left and right sides when compared to the screen image? Hmmmmm.
When I print the same photo using HP PhotoSmart
For me, the actual image size is somewhat smaller: 9 13/16 "W by 8 3/8 "H. The letter paper size print out has a 9/16 " border on the left and a 10/16 " border on the right (approximately centered). The top border is 1/2 " and the botton border ise 9/16 " (again, approximately centered). BUT MOST IMPORTANT, the image of the photo I see on the screen is "entirely" present on the print out.
The original photo has a 4:3 (or 1.3333) image ratio (4 divided by 3).
Apple is printing out an incomplete horizontally uncentered image with a 1.2197 ratio (10 1/16 "W divided 8 1/4 "H).
HP PhotoSmart is printing out a complete image with a 1.1716 ratio (9 13/16 "W divided by 8 3/8 "H), but at least it is a complete image and it is approximately centered.
Besides Larry, I bought a Mac. I shouldn't have to do the physics and math. Apple should be, thus making life easier for you and me. I hope they're listening.
I have been totally unable to coax a complete image out of iPhoto, let alone one properly centered.
I have been trying to print photos from Events. I'm going to try one from Albums next.
If you find a work around in iPhoto, please let me know. With borders it is do-able, as HP PhotoSmart has proven. I just wish iPhoto could do the same.
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