Photo resolution when downsizing

[scotsman]

Query; when I resize my photos to download to this site my previously sharp photos get downgraded. But some other members can reduce their photos to fit Smossy's parameters yet still look real sharp. Methinks it's no coincidence that the monthly winners are usually the photos that have sharper resolution. Examples in the May photo contest.......

I and others whole appreciate any tips to keep our photos sharp when downsizing. Howdya do it?

[Becky]

There are numerous ways you can easily resize your photo and it all depends on what you're using - are you uploading phone photos and you need to resize in your phone? Or are you on a comp? One member always recommends this website:: http://www.picresize.com/ which I've tested and it works great.

 You can use Paint that comes free in each PC and it's the simplest way to reduce a photo.

How to Resize Photos if you have a Windows computer it only takes a minute:
a. Copy the file of the photo you want to resize (so you don't resize the original).
b. Right click on your new photo file.
c. Mouse over "Open With".
d. Click "Paint".
e. From the menu at the top, in the "Image" section - click "Resize".
f. Click the radial next to "Pixels".
g. Change the largest number (either horizontal or vertical) to 800.
h. Click "OK".
i. Click "File" on the top menu and choose "Save".

If you're resizing your photo to a smaller size it should rarely have pixelation issues unless you're also changing the DPI. Usually that's something you see when you are taking an image and attempting to make it larger. Hope this helps 

[Becky]

Here is a test image of one of mine I just tried using with that re-sizer website and it appears like it kept the detail:




Then here is an example using Photoshop to resize the original (in attachments), and making sure the resolution stayed the same. They both appear the same to me, using photoshop actually looks slightly grainier so definitely give that website a try.

[scotsman]

Ok, here is a picture using that reducer site. It seems that wolfies fur isn't as sharp and his steak is out of focus. The original is quite sharp overall. Btw my photos are taken with a canon sx 260 set on max resolution not phone camera.

[Magnum_Willys]

Here's a free resizer that works.  You can just change settings once to like 800x800 and then from then on just drag any photo to the icon on the desktop and it creates a thumbnail photo. 

http://www.fookes.com/easy-thumbnails

[scotsman]

Hmmm, thanks but fookes.com only works on windows. I'm using an iPad for 90% of my work.

[Becky]

Any image that's uploaded online to a website will have the resolution changed usually to a "web view" standard. Used to be 72 dpi but I think some have higher now (looks like facebook has 96 dpi, which is still considerably lower than what cameras these days capture). The forum has somewhat of a built in re-sizer that shrinks images but it takes a lot of power and errors out when people try too large images. None online will ever be as good as what you're viewing on an original on your computer. Best thing you can do is try some of the resize websites, try built in software on your computer, see what looks the best to you 

Here is a good write up of information about online photo sharing if you're interested http://www.tomsguide.com/us/resize-photos-online-sharing,news-19195.html

[rosscrazyelk]

Ok, here is a picture using that reducer site. It seems that wolfies fur isn't as sharp and his steak is out of focus. The original is quite sharp overall. Btw my photos are taken with a canon sx 260 set on max resolution not phone camera.

I want to thank you again for the advice on cameras. I love the one I got. I still need to call you to talk about the detailed stuff.
Thanks again