RESIZING FOR PRINT - Process before or after resizing.

[Peter O'Connor]

This is what I was thinking...!

Final jpeg sorted, looking lovely.
Now, resize it and start pulling them lovely balanced pixels about... Tragedy no!

So, would it be wiser to resize the image first and then beautify your pixels?

Although, Does PS have to create pixels when enlarging? (Extrapolating is it?)
If so my idea falls apart as you'd be manipulating extrapolated pixels instead of true..

Hhhmm, Is enlarging more destructive than downsizing?

If so, Resize unedited original to the biggest size you will print (40"x30" for example)
then process as normal. BIG lovely file.. Export smaller copies off as needed, no loss off IQ..

OR AM I TALKIN COMPLETE ****??

Everything and anything on the above please.

 

[Lesley Jones]

Peter,

It's early for me and I must go and start the zoo, but having part read the other thread, I know how confusing it can be. Whether you are shooting digital, or scanning film, the very best option is to have as large a "quality" file as possible. By quality, I'm talking mostly about scanners that claim very high resolution, but that is not the native resolution of the scanner. Basically, don't let any software mess around with your pixels at the beginning.

It's better to shoot RAW, but some people have good reasons to have JPG files instead, but beware that every single save will compress the file further and introduce artefacts. You won't see them initially, but they will gradually creep up on you.

Do all your editing in a non-destructive way if possible, so you don't trash those pixels. Lightroom is non-destructive and I use smart filters and adjustment layers in Photoshop for the same result. This means you can keep going back and changing your mind, but the original background layer isn't affected. I don't know about Lightroom, but obviously if you are saving layers, then you can no longer have a JPG file. I use PSD, but TIFF is just as good. Files can get very large though.

So... you have your original "master" file. You may want to take it in different directions (maybe a B&W conversion), so you can have more than one master.

Then, whatever you want to do - a small file for the web, a large print for an exhibition, whatever..., you go to your master, flatten the layers, size appropriately, sharpen and you have the file you need. Make sure you "Save As", so the master file is never altered.

 

[Mark Hoy]

If you have PhotoShop you can also edit .jpg files in ACR (Camera Raw)

1. Open PhotoShop
2. Select "File > Open as" from the menu,
3. Select your photo and change the "Open As" from the dialog box to "Camera Raw"

I'd post a screenshot but there's no printscreen button on this keyboard (Mac keyboard on a PC).

I'd recommend Scott Kelby's The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Book for Digital Photographers: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photoshop-D...=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339839269&sr=1-4

 

[Ralph Thornton]

I agree with Lesley's comments. RAW is non destructive and is the best format to start the non destructive process.

I'm not sure about taking a jpg, which already has had some data removed in its creation, and creating a RAW file with it. Seems it would be better to shoot RAW and go from there.

BTW, I use a RAW file for my more critical work but I have my camera set to save a jpg file in addition to the RAW file. That way, if I need something quick to post to the web or send as a proof, I have it right there without having to work on it much.

 

[Peter O'Connor]

yep, Cheers all,
Processing isn't a problem, I've been shooting raw since day 1
it's the optimisation of the print that I'm asking.
i'll open another thread concerning ICC profiles (more variation)
But here I'm just asking the opinion as to resizing/enlarging the file before processing or after processing.

 

[Lesley Jones]

Peter,

Just to confirm that you keep the image the original size. Do all your processing on that and regard it as your master. Keep going back to the master to resize and save as another version. That new version is the one you put on a web site or send off for printing. So don't resize and then process.

 

[Dave Green]

I do as much editing as I can at RAW stage - export to TIF - then resize for print - then save as JPG

 

[Ralph Thornton]

I agree with both Lesley and Dave. That's pretty much how I do it.