Photo resizing--help????

[shannonRN]

I am having trouble with resizing my photos, and since I'm not that computer literate, I'm not quite sure how to say what the trouble is...

I have 2 different programs I can use to resize my photos. One is the Kodak program that came with the camera, and it resizes by % of original size. This is fine, but in order to get a file size <100kb, I end up with tiny, nearly thumbnail-sized pics.

If I use this other photo editing program that I have, I can specify # of pixels in height and width, say 500 pixels by whatever width would keep the original ratio. But then, the photos, although larger, appear all pixelated and blurry.

Is there any way I can have my cake and eat it too? I see Rick's nice large clear photos and I just can't figure out, with any consistency, how to produce this!

I tried the program that was recommended in the technical problem thread, but I started having comp problems immediately after installation so I uninstalled. Are there any other programs that will do this for me?

[marko]

maybe this will help -

Typically the problem is the resolution of the image. If the image is scanned to high or it was taken on a high quality setting from the camera - it will be too large.

For the web, 72 dpi or ppi (dots per inch - pixels per inch) is plenty - but for printing, 300 or more is usually needed to get a decent print. Basically 300 crams much more information into every inch which is NOT needed on the web.

Therefore if you change the resolution down it should work.
or
just change the width of the image to say 350 or 400 pixels max and that should do it.
or reduce the file size by a percentage.
or save the image as a lower quality jpeg.

Personally when I upload files I will resize the image to 350 pixels in width. By changing the width the height AUTOMATICALLY changes. Then I will choose a jpeg setting of 30 or 40. This gives me a beautiful picture for the web that is rarely over 40k.

make sure though that when you are changing 1 value - that the other values are changing as well. So when you change the resolution - the width and height of the image are changing as well. Or if you are changing the width (like I do) that the height is changing as well. There SHOULD be a check box (maybe it's called resample image - or constrain porportions) to do this.

The fuzziness you speak of is almost surely due to the fact the other values are not changing when you are changing 1 of the elements.

I hope that helps.

If others can add to this to make it more clear, please do.

Thanks

Marko

[shannonRN]

Thanks for your reply...
You said:

make sure though that when you are changing 1 value - that the other values are changing as well. So when you change the resolution - the width and height of the image are changing as well. There SHOULD be a check box (maybe it's called resample image - or constrain porportions) to do this.

That's what I meant, in my bumbling way, when I said:

I can specify # of pixels in height and width, say 500 pixels by whatever width would keep the original ratio. But then, the photos, although large enough, appear all pixelated and blurry.

This way, I adjust either height or width, and the other adjusts automatically to keep the original proportions. However, the pic then appears very poor quality. Maybe it's just that program?

Using the other program I have to reduce by a fixed %age (75, 50, 25), I just get tiny photos if I resize to be less than 100kb. The original file sizes are 2576x1932 pixels--overkill for web posting, obviously--but I just can't figure out why my pics look very very different depending on which program I use to resize

[marko]

In your first scenario - it SEEMS like the resolution is ALSO changing. This should not happen. if there are other check boxes on that page - experiment with them. when downsizing an image properly it should not be fuzzy.



For program 2

this does happen - make sure that when the photo is downsized YOU are looking at it on your computer screen at 100% visibility. Enlarge the window that the picture is in to be sure. an image of roughly 2500x1900 pixels reduced to 25% is VERY ROUGHLY 600 x 400. That image is definitely NOT tiny.

I would call either of the program's technical support line (if they have one) or google that program for specific info.

If anyone else can help...please do.

Thanks

Marko

as an example this image is 550 x 305 pixels. The file size is 39.4 k
It's not the sharpest picture (but that has a lot to do with the chosen aperature on my camera during the shot) but I would not call it fuzzy.

[shannonRN]

If anyone else can help...please do.

LOL, is that ever a cry for help! Thanks for helping though.

For program 2
...an image of roughly 2500x1900 pixels reduced to 25% is VERY ROUGHLY 600 x 400. That image is definitely NOT tiny.

I agree about the size--but a pic that I resize using the Kodak prog. down to 25% is 644x483 pixels AND is still a file size of 356KB. So I keep resizing until I get <100kb, so I can post it, and I'm down to barely bigger than a thumbnail.

The other program because for whatever reason does change the resolution, but because of that, it also produces a smaller file so I am able to post a decent sized image.

I guess the problem lies in that I can't figure out how to control either of these programs to balance image size with quality. I get either one or the other.

I would call either of the program's technical support line (if they have one) or google that program for specific info.

Talking computers makes me want to bang my head against the wall, but I will try calling the kodak people for help.
Thanks

[Prin]

Do you have Microsoft Picture Manager? It's really easy from there. You can either resize or you can compress, and it gives you the kb amount after compression. When you change stuff, sometimes you have to save it for the changes in kb to show up.