DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Size and Pixel Question from Newcomer
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 12 of 12, (reverse)
AuthorThread
11/13/2009 08:29:02 PM · #1
Hi Everyone,

I just entered my first basic open challenge with very little experience but a lot of admiration for photography. I'm using a Nikon Coolpix, which I know is not much to work with compared to a lot of the cameras used here (I hope to eventually have the funds to upgrade!). When I sat down to edit for the Symmetry challenge I had no idea that it would be so difficult to meet the size and pixel requirements. I ended up slimming down most of the possible photos so much that they looked horrible. The focus was off to begin with and all the photos just looked grainy and of poor quality. Is there a setting I can use to minimize the pixels and size before I take a shot?

I downloaded Irfanview to help me with the sizing and pixels but, either way I was just so dissapointed with the outcome. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Kristin
11/13/2009 08:33:55 PM · #2
What software are you using to edit your photos with?
11/13/2009 08:46:16 PM · #3
I was using the Windows photo gallery basic editing tools...again, not the most advanced. I also downloaded Irfanview and used that as well.
11/13/2009 08:54:32 PM · #4
I personally haven't used this program, but I believe that it is suitable for what you are after. And it is free.

Free Gimp download

Gimp Features - Digital Retouching
11/13/2009 09:06:18 PM · #5
Excellent, I'll check this out. Thanks Judi!
11/13/2009 09:35:03 PM · #6
I've used gimp a lot in the past. It is great. You can PM me or post here if you need any help. There is a nice little pool of people who use gimp on this sight. Cheers and good luck.
11/13/2009 09:44:19 PM · #7
Great! Thanks so much for your help. I'm attempting to tackle it now.
11/13/2009 10:04:26 PM · #8
Here is a list we've been maintaining of free image editing software. Lots of good stuff and it gets regularly added to.
11/14/2009 12:26:21 AM · #9
I am another gimp user. It can have a bit of a learning curve, but I LOVE gimp.
11/14/2009 01:40:48 AM · #10
you are a gimp. lol

Originally posted by Judi:

I personally haven't used this program, but I believe that it is suitable for what you are after. And it is free.

Free Gimp download

Gimp Features - Digital Retouching
11/14/2009 06:25:45 AM · #11
If all you need is to crop and resize, all you really need is something like FastStone Image Viewer. It has other features, but I don't really use them. You open the image using FastStone and all you do is move the mouse to the left side of the screen to access most editing options. I'd say crop first, then quick resize so the long side is 800px (one of the options in quick resize is a long side of 800), then in the "save as" dialog, make sure the file type is JPEG, click options, and drag the slider until the file size is under 300 KB. I find the default resizing algorithm in FastStone (Lanczos3) to be very very good and the JPEG options to be very thorough, so even if I edit the image in another program, I usually save the image as a .PNG and follow the steps above to resize/save for DPC.
11/15/2009 08:43:59 PM · #12
Spiff- Thanks for the link to the list, this will be very useful.

George- I appreciate your detailed explanation! I'll take a look at FastStone, the pixel and image size are the two things I definetly need to get under control. I just started toying with layering and filters today...I didn't realize you could do so much with a picture.

Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 11:31:38 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 11:31:38 AM EDT.