RESIZING FOR PRINT- PROTECTING PIXELS

[Peter O'Connor]

So, Resizing...
My questions here are a bit rambling as this multi faceted subject leaves me unable to pinpoint a specific element of the whole process.
I've been looking at ordering prints from printspace.com - great paper/print range.
Anyway, They recommend resizing images to the same size as the print..
No problem so far ...
Original image open in PS.. resize to 16"x12" > save
But, resize on export or resize the original under file resize?
is it better to take my original file and resize to maximum BEFORE processing or will my file hold up to this enlargement?
Variations in sizing I will need.. Up till now I have been printing all variants in print sizes from the same original large Jpg...
Can I just resize the same original however I like and not worry about losing quality?
I am shooting with 5d classic, LR export gives me a JPG 4368x2912 pixels..
But how does this equate to 16"x12" ?
Also while I'm here, what would be the benefits of "save for web/device" output as opposed to simply exporting a small jpg?

I get to the point of confidence with all of this and then realise I know nothing!!!!

precisely, I've just had a play and 16x12 isn't a native size for my file! more stretching and pulling of my precious pixels...

Would someone grab me and stop me from freaking!!!!

Thanks.

 

[Ben Brooks]

Hi Peter,

It's really late and I'm reply on my phone so forgive me if I waffle/ don't make sense! On the plus side I've not been drinking (though I suspect the person yelling outside at 2am for their friend probably has).

Don't use Lightroom but I do use photoshop daily. Pixels don't directly relate to inches/cm, it will also depend on the dpi (dots per inch) of the file. So, a file 1000px wide would print out bigger at 72dpi than a 300dpi file, but the image will be of a lower quality. As long as you don't resample your image when changing the file from 72dpi to 300dpi you won't loose any pixels - they will just be closer together so will print as a higher quality image. Does that make sense?

Sceen resolution is 72dpi but for print you will want your files at 300dpi. If you are going really big (A1 or exhibition stand size) you can get away with dropping the dpi as you would normally view the image from a distance so the lower image quality is harder to notice. Though with newer cameras with higher pixel counts this is becoming less of an issue.

Not sure that any of that answers you questions! But I hope it might help you to understand the relationship of what you see on screen and print files.

If you just want a file share on a forum then I don't think it matters if you use save for web or just a small jpg, but if you are using the files for your website then the images that come out of the save for web export will be a smaller file size than those you just save as a jpg.

Does any of that help?!

 

[Peter O'Connor]

so regarding the small file sizes.. save for web options.
I can export a small jpg 600x400px gives me a file size of 250k +/- from LR
PS5,, That save for web box has alot of options!
Ideally of course, I would like small file sizes but as high quality viewing as possible on mobile devices, ifones etc..
Best to drop the pixel dimensions or drop the output file size?
Also I'd like to show good quality representations of my work online, big and small screens,
At the moment I publish at 600px long to prevent unauthorised copying but a mate has commented that they're too small..
I've so many queries!
I just wanna refine as much of what I'm doing as I can,
Any do's and don'ts, especially regarding the save for web dialogue would be appreciated...

I think you missed the point of my first quandry though..
Basically, How best to create a print ready file @16"x12" for the printspace company from my final jpg here.
Or even, Why compress the file? Is it better to print enlargements from tif?

Thanks, I'm all ears.

- - - Updated - - -

So, a file 1000px wide would print out bigger at 72dpi than a 300dpi file

Didn't you mean 300dpi would produce a bigger print?

otherwise , I don't geddit.

****YEP! Sorry, I geddit!**** 1000/72 or 1000/300,,, naturally!

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Ben pretty much hit the nail on the head.

In my work flow I process my RAW files in Canon's Digital Photography Pro (DPP) and set the output to be a 300 dpi image. I maintain the original pixel dimensions when converting the RAW file to a tiff file.

I then open the tiff image in Photoshop and do most of the post processing there. I save that file as a photoshop file, possibly saving several files in the various steps of my processing depending on how much processing I do. I'll keep the image size as large as possible during this processing. My processing usually ends up creating several adjustment and sharpening layers and I keep these layers in place in the photoshop file.

Finally I'll flatten the image to get to only one layer and change the image size to the final print size, while maintaining that 300 dpi resolution. After resizing it is good to check sharpness and if necessary apply a little sharpening to the final image. I often add my signature to a photo and illdo that as a last step by creating a new layer and then use a custome brush I've created to add my signature. I'll do another save as then and keep all the various image sizes I'll print as separate files. I'll then flatten the file and convert it to whatever format I need for printing. This is usually a jpg or tiff.

 

[Peter O'Connor]

I'll do another save as then and keep all the various image sizes I'll print as separate files. I'll then flatten the file and convert it to whatever format I need for printing. This is usually a jpg or tiff.

Sorry, You lost me there,, flatten and convert for print. So what about all the various image sizes you will print?
Are these all sharpened, flattened, converted individually?
For the 5 different print sizes you desire, You have 5 different optimized final files?

I'm gonna open another thread alongside this one , This is opening all kindsa cans o worms!

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Ben pretty much hit the nail on the head.

In my work flow I process my RAW files in Canon's Digital Photography Pro (DPP) and set the output to be a 300 dpi image. I maintain the original pixel dimensions when converting the RAW file to a tiff file.

I then open the tiff image in Photoshop and do most of the post processing there. I save that file as a photoshop file, possibly saving several files in the various steps of my processing depending on how much processing I do. I'll keep the image size as large as possible during this processing. My processing usually ends up creating several adjustment and sharpening layers and I keep these layers in place in the photoshop file.

Finally I'll flatten the image to get to only one layer and change the image size to the final print size, while maintaining that 300 dpi resolution. After resizing it is good to check sharpness and if necessary apply a little sharpening to the final image. I often add my signature to a photo and illdo that as a last step by creating a new layer and then use a custome brush I've created to add my signature. I'll do another save as then and keep all the various image sizes I'll print as separate files. I'll then flatten the file and convert it to whatever format I need for printing. This is usually a jpg or tiff.

Sorry, maybe got to rambling some. I'll do as much processing on the largest file. That includes making a new layer for sharpening. When I've got the photo where I want it I'll save that file complete with all it layers. Many of those layers are adjustment layers and they are a non destructive way of editing a file.

I'll then take the file and flatten it which removes all the layers. Then I'll resize it to the size I want to print and do a save as and save it to a tiff or jpg depending on the type of file wanted by the printer.

If I want more than one print size I will go back to the original layered file, flatten and resize again. So, yes, for every print size I go back to the original file. I will end up with several files then, each the size of a print.

 

[Joan West]

Is this of help?

Preparing Files for Print via a photo lab.
For this I am assuming that you are working in Photoshop and have opened your pic, carried out all of your photo editing and saved the resulting file as your master image file to allow you to go back at any point to tweak if required.

So, here you are with your layered master file and you want to have a selection of print sizes made at a local photo lab.

1. Flatten your file and save it via "save as" choose Tiff format and give that flattened file a different name to the original (I would suggest making separate folders, one for master files and one for print work)

2. Labs print at standard photo sizes so you will need to crop your file to a print size, here are the standard print sizes that we produce, on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, in inches: 6x4, 5x5, 7x5, 7.5x5, 8x6, 8x8, 9x6,10x8, 10x10, 12x8, 12x10 and 15x10. If printed via a large format printer then you print whatever size suits.

4. Now you need to crop your flattened file to a print size
In the options bar at the top put in the required crop, say, 6x4 and add ins after the figures and Photoshop knows that you want inches and 300 ppi in the resolution box drag the crop tool over your pic to select the area required, it will give you an exact 6x4 crop (this is easier than it sounds)


5. Save your cropped file as a jpeg, 10 or above quality, add the size to the file name (makes life easier) then save it to your print folder.

6. If your files are Adobe RGB you will need to convert them to SRGB, Edit - convert to profile - choose SRGB or you could convert a folderful via the image processor File - scripts - image processor, SRGB is the working space for our Fuji Frontier and will give you the best results.

7. All files should be supplied as RGB files even for black & white pics so if you have converted to greyscale (eek, that's a no no) convert to RGB via Image - mode - RGB Colour also while you are there ensure that the file is 8bit and not 16bit as, as yet, photo labs cannot print 16bit (also you really only need to process files in 16bit if you are doing extreme editing in my opinion

Hope this makes sense, need more info email info@photoimagingwales.com