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07/15/2004 11:00:23 AM · #1 |
Hi all! I have a question regarding standard print sizes. Say I have an image on my [soon to be launched] website that someone wishes to purchase a print of. How to I resize my images for standard frame sizes? I know that with PS I can use the crop tool set at 8x10, 300ppi, etc. but sometimes using that tool forces me to crop the photo in ways I don't want. I have also heard that it resamples the image in such a way as to degrade quality. So what's the answer?
As always I appreciate your help!! |
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07/15/2004 11:06:06 AM · #2 |
The answer is to first, shot in RAW and save your output as a TIFF File.
Then make your necesary changes, for each print size, to that TIFF File and then save off as a JPG of the file you wish to share as a print. As long as you aren't making new 'prints' from a JPG, you shouldn't have any issues with degradation.
The degredation issue will only happen if you open up the original JPG, make your print JPG. Open up that print JPG to make another print JPG file, then open up that '3rd generation' JPG file and continue on down the line... As long as you make 'new' print aspect ratio files from the original JPG or RAW/Tiff file you should see no degredation between print sizes. |
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07/15/2004 11:25:03 AM · #3 |
When I think I may be making prints from an image, or using it for certain applications, I try to 'crop' in the composition to suit the final outcome.
The obvious one is to suit 8x10 format, rather than using the full viewfinder/ frame of the 2x3 ratio dSLR frame. But when I shoot things that I'm aiming for a magazine cover, I tend to shoot portrait mode, with the top 20% of the 8x10 format ratio kept emptier, for title text.
It is worth thinking about these sorts of things upfront rather than being stuck with unpleasant cropping decisions later :) I also try to take a portrait orientation almost straight after something that was good in landscape, when appropriate - again to have the choice of formats and layout.
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07/15/2004 11:58:02 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by digistoune:
I know that with PS I can use the crop tool set at 8x10, 300ppi, etc. but sometimes using that tool forces me to crop the photo in ways I don't want. I have also heard that it resamples the image in such a way as to degrade quality. |
Leave the resolution box empty whenever you use the crop tool. Just enter "8 in" in "Width" and "10 in" in Height. This will prevent any inadvertent resampling. Instead, the pixels/inch will change to whatever value is necessary to arrive at your cropped size (as shown in the "Image Size..." dialog).
In terms of being "forced" to crop the photo in ways you don't want... well, that is just the nature of cropping. There isn't really anything you can do about it. Standard printing sizes have different aspect ratios, so a picture printed as a 4x6 will have a much different crop than the same picture printed as an 8x10.
Message edited by author 2004-07-15 12:00:14. |
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07/15/2004 04:26:41 PM · #5 |
I crop it the way I want, and pad the extra out to a standard print size with a border -- just enlarge the canvas size.
People can always trim or cover the border, but they will se the image the way I want it. |
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07/15/2004 04:31:27 PM · #6 |
8x12 is a standard print size. You could always just leave it uncropped.
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07/15/2004 04:35:25 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:
8x12 is a standard print size. You could always just leave it uncropped. |
That doesn't fit the typical digital frame (4:3 ratio) -- it fits a 35mm frame. I've only found one printing service ever which makes a "native" print at the standard digital size (4 x 5.333 inches @ 300 ppi on my camera). |
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07/15/2004 04:43:30 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
That doesn't fit the typical digital frame (4:3 ratio) -- it fits a 35mm frame. |
But it is the aspect ratio of the original poster as well as myself so no cropping would be required.
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07/15/2004 08:09:18 PM · #9 |
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07/16/2004 08:40:36 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Nelzie:
The answer is to first, shot in RAW and save your output as a TIFF File.
Then make your necesary changes, for each print size, to that TIFF File and then save off as a JPG of the file you wish to share as a print. As long as you aren't making new 'prints' from a JPG, you shouldn't have any issues with degradation.
The degredation issue will only happen if you open up the original JPG, make your print JPG. Open up that print JPG to make another print JPG file, then open up that '3rd generation' JPG file and continue on down the line... As long as you make 'new' print aspect ratio files from the original JPG or RAW/Tiff file you should see no degredation between print sizes. |
So if I understand you correctly, you wind up with a TIFF file, and 8x10 JPG, 5x7 JPG, etc.? |
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07/16/2004 09:01:58 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by digistoune:
So if I understand you correctly, you wind up with a TIFF file, and 8x10 JPG, 5x7 JPG, etc.? |
Correct. Each "standard print size" has a different aspect ratio (the proportion of height to width), which means each will have its own crop of your "from the camera" original. If you look at this list of print sizes, you'll see which share a specific aspect ratio. So if you crop to a 1.25:1 aspect ratio (i.e., enter "8 in" and "10 in" in the crop tool Height/Width fields, leaving the Resolution box empty!), and assuming you have enough pixels (or upsample afterwards) you can use that file to print all the way up to a 16x20, and as small as 4x5, as well as 8x10.
Hope that helps... |
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