What is the best way to reduce image size AND retain sharpness in Photoshop CS2?
If I saved an image in Photoshop CS2 (let's say it's about 20,300 KB), what is the best procedure to reduce it for the web AND maintain optimum sharpness?
I am just trying to see if there is a better way to reduce images than what I am doing.
When I do it manually, I first go into Image Size and with NONE of the bottom three boxes checked, I change the resolution to 96 pixels/inch.
Second, staying in the Image Size dialog box, I make sure all three boxes are checked and change the Resample Image to Bicubic Sharper.
Third, I change the largest of the Pixel Dimensions and change it to 1000 pixels which changes the file size from 20.3 MB to about 2.15 MB.
Is there a better way to reduce images to retain optimal sharpness?
Also, when I do my adjustments and such (levels, etc), do I do it BEFORE reducing or AFTER reducing?
(I work on a PC.)
I am just trying to see if there is a better way to reduce images than what I am doing.
When I do it manually, I first go into Image Size and with NONE of the bottom three boxes checked, I change the resolution to 96 pixels/inch.
Second, staying in the Image Size dialog box, I make sure all three boxes are checked and change the Resample Image to Bicubic Sharper.
Third, I change the largest of the Pixel Dimensions and change it to 1000 pixels which changes the file size from 20.3 MB to about 2.15 MB.
Is there a better way to reduce images to retain optimal sharpness?
Also, when I do my adjustments and such (levels, etc), do I do it BEFORE reducing or AFTER reducing?
(I work on a PC.)
Hi
it is important that you know the size of the final image on the web, no point letting the browser resize the image for you.
Typically you would use the image resize after you have applied all your filters, you can set 72 dpi as well if you want. just ensure that you use bi cubic as it preserves fine detail better than the otherwise used bilinear method.
Use jpg compression level 6-8 for smaller image 8-10 for larger, simply play round to makes sure the image does not display distorted fragments from the compression, hence test the image in your browser first.
hth
it is important that you know the size of the final image on the web, no point letting the browser resize the image for you.
Typically you would use the image resize after you have applied all your filters, you can set 72 dpi as well if you want. just ensure that you use bi cubic as it preserves fine detail better than the otherwise used bilinear method.
Use jpg compression level 6-8 for smaller image 8-10 for larger, simply play round to makes sure the image does not display distorted fragments from the compression, hence test the image in your browser first.
hth
Just a suggestion, sometimes I got to better (more natural/realistic) results using the contrast and sharpen filter set to strong levels BEFORE reducing the image size. I think the resizing mixes the effect with the image making more difficult for people to say "Is has been sharpened".
I'm with JuanLucas's recommendation of sharpening before downsizing the image. But a radical downsize does soften the image so I generally apply a very soft Smart Sharpen afterwards.
The size of 1,000 pixels bothers me because that is wider than most web pages are, so the image should be downsized to the actual size you'll use on the webpage. In this point, captainreiss is correct. However, I would use the Save For Web dialog box to do the final jpeg compression. This will result in smaller file size and you can easily compare before & after images to make sure you aren't introducing jpeg artifacts.
In theory, it shouldn't matter if levels or curves are applied before or after the image is downsized. However, IMO, it is better to it BEFORE you downsize, because I have seemed to find a greater chance of clipping highlights or shadows if I do it AFTER downsizing. Just my very inscientific opinion. YMMV.
The size of 1,000 pixels bothers me because that is wider than most web pages are, so the image should be downsized to the actual size you'll use on the webpage. In this point, captainreiss is correct. However, I would use the Save For Web dialog box to do the final jpeg compression. This will result in smaller file size and you can easily compare before & after images to make sure you aren't introducing jpeg artifacts.
In theory, it shouldn't matter if levels or curves are applied before or after the image is downsized. However, IMO, it is better to it BEFORE you downsize, because I have seemed to find a greater chance of clipping highlights or shadows if I do it AFTER downsizing. Just my very inscientific opinion. YMMV.
CTRL ALT SHIFT S (save for web) . Don't downsize in image size window in photoshop. Downsize in the save for web dialog. If you downsize in photoshop and then save for web you are double downsizing and everybody know double downsizing can be down right dangerous.!
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Thanks for the advice.
I started using a tripod when automatically bracketing exposures to help with decreasing slight camera movement. Also, a while back, I was taught to avoid using the contrast and brightness settings, and to use Levels (and/or Curves) instead.
To D Brugge:
After reading your comment, I now remember that 10% rule for upsizing, and it makes sense for downsizing too (however, I believe its actual effectiveness is one of those hotly debated topics).
Thanks everyone!
I started using a tripod when automatically bracketing exposures to help with decreasing slight camera movement. Also, a while back, I was taught to avoid using the contrast and brightness settings, and to use Levels (and/or Curves) instead.
To D Brugge:
After reading your comment, I now remember that 10% rule for upsizing, and it makes sense for downsizing too (however, I believe its actual effectiveness is one of those hotly debated topics).
Thanks everyone!
i will only add one thing here; and that is to use the Filter>Sharpen>Sharpen to increase the sharpness of the image after resizing.
and yups, i recommend to use adjust the brightness, contrast, levels and etc. after resizing, becuase it gives the result with the final image and there is no change of loosing these settings after resizing it :)