No doubt the answer is straight forward, but can someone explain in idiot terms (for me ) how I can reduce the physical size of a given picture without reducing the quality?
E.g. I have a number of pictures taken in RAW/JPEG on my EOS 20D camera which are large file sizes as they are shot in a high quality mode, therefore they are much “bigger” than A4 paper. Therefore I want the image to be “downsized” to A4 size but without “pixalating” when I print it out (looking like lego bricks at the edges of straight lines). I use Photoshop CS as my editing software.
Any ideas chaps?
If the moderators feel this thread should be moved then please feel free to do so but I figured I’d get a more sensible answer here.
By: Snapper - 30th May 2005 at 08:24
You’ll have to take them to the printer as Jpeg if you are after photo prints from a lab. RAW is not readable, and Tiff will grind the machines to a halt. Downsizing will be done, upsizing will only be done to the largest size a decent image is possible from. The image will be resampled to 300 dpi at the size you choose the print to be.
(nb, that relates specifically to the Fuji Frontier’s and older Konicas, but should apply to other digital labs).
By: amitch - 30th May 2005 at 00:14
Photoshop
Hi
Whatever you do, don’t change the original file. Always change a copy (use the save as option) so that you always have a backup should things go wrong. Once you alter a file and save it, you can’t go back.
I downsize my photos to 1024 by 768 and save at a photoshop setting of 6 for my pc and web use. All of my original photos and left untouched and saved on DVD and hard disks.
As for printing, sending the full size files to the printer should work well as the printer driver will down size as required and most will also upsize as well, asumming you start with a large file.
By: Hi-Octain - 29th May 2005 at 22:51
I’m conscious of not wishing to hijack the forum for photography questions but I’m only just starting to get more serious – hence the new camera.
!
Whilst Moggy is willing to impart wisdom to us lesser talented mortals, make the most of the facility. As it not only benifits your good self but the others who are shy (me!) or not yet registered! (they think that they should know more).How would any Forum develop, other than by the efforts of its members???? 😎
By: skypilot62 - 29th May 2005 at 20:27
Darren, I’m using an Epson Photo R300 (A4) printer. My previous printers have had that option but this one does not seem to – the “Reduce/Enlarge by output media” does not do the trick.
I’m conscious of not wishing to hijack the forum for photography questions but I’m only just starting to get more serious – hence the new camera. I’m going to invest in an A3 printer at some point as well as numerous other items but if someone can point me to a suitable forum for such amateurisgh questions I’d be grateful, meanwhile thanks for your patience and input one and all!
By: darrenharbar - 29th May 2005 at 20:12
Skypilot,
Which printer are you using? There is nomally a fit to media setting, that allows you to select A4, and it’s that easy.
By: Papa Lima - 29th May 2005 at 19:42
I always adjust dpi first, then decide the number of pixels width I want it to be. For example, 700 or 1000 pixels wide is fine at 72 dpi for the Forum. However for A4 size printouts I use the “print with preview” option and then “size to fit page” with the appropriate orientation, not forgetting to choose the correct paper type, so I get maximum resolution on the printout. I know 300 dpi is the most you should need for a printout, but it does no harm to go even higher!
By: skypilot62 - 29th May 2005 at 19:36
As I said Moggy, “Idiot’s terms”!
I think I have been misunderstanding the drop down menu – I assumed changing the pixel dimensions was the same as resolution – D’OH! 😮
I have used a sample picture to work on and I noticed that when I change resolution to 300dpi (it was at the default of 72), the image gets massive, but I then reduced just the size – as you suggested, it would indeed appear that Robert has become my mother’s brother.
I knew it would be simple! Just as an aside then, do I need to adjust the dpi before or after setting the size?
By: Moggy C - 29th May 2005 at 17:33
Hmm,
Can’t see what you are doing wrong.
Image > Image Size > Brings up a dialogue box.
You can either reduce the pixel dimensions or the document size. If you choose the document size and make certain the resolution stays at 300 dpi Robert should be closely related to you.
What happens if you try this?
Moggy
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May 29, 2005 at 4:49 pm