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06/02/2006 11:23:47 PM · #1 |
I've been using GIMP to process my photos for the challenges, and I have a question. Following the advice received here at DPC, I work with my photos in a "lossless" format (psd) until I'm ready to "save for web" as they say. After cropping down to 640 pixels it's time to save the file as a jpeg. I know to use the highest quality possible while still staying under the file size limit. But one of the options offered upon saving is "smoothing." I have been keeping my "smoothing" at zero up until now, because I didn't know what it was.
Playing with it as a test, it seems to soften the photos and decrease sharpness when I crank up the smoothing.
Do you smooth? Do you advocate smoothing?
Any thoughts on this provocative Friday night topic most welcome. |
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06/02/2006 11:47:46 PM · #2 |
I could be totally wrong, but it sounds like the effect is something like Neat Image?
If that's the case - be careful, be VERY careful!!!
The plastic skins don't do very well for the most part. |
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06/03/2006 12:06:35 AM · #3 |
smoothing is exactly what it's name suggest. It smooths out transitions between original pixels. Smoothing is best used in upsizing, though. So, no, I wouldn't use it for down-sizing to 640.And don't forget to sharpen (USM) after resize.
BTW, you mention you keep the photo as a PSD til you save a final. Im Gimp, I think you'd be better off using its native file instead of the psd.
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06/03/2006 12:23:05 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
BTW, you mention you keep the photo as a PSD til you save a final. Im Gimp, I think you'd be better off using its native file instead of the psd. |
What's native for GIMP?
(And thanks for your help!) |
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06/03/2006 12:42:43 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by EarlBaker:
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
BTW, you mention you keep the photo as a PSD til you save a final. Im Gimp, I think you'd be better off using its native file instead of the psd. |
What's native for GIMP?
(And thanks for your help!) |
.XCF files are what you should be using (native format).
And I think you'd be better off using Neat Image if you want soft/smooth images. More control that way. I would recommend NOT using smoothing, though I don't have much experience with it.
Message edited by author 2006-06-03 00:43:27.
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