Borders and overall size change

[Qriss]

I'm creating images with "borders" and I'm sure there must be a better way to do this. Once I complete the process, my size has gone from over 4mb to 267kb. Here is my process (very low res image attached.)

open photo

CTRL N - change dimensions to required output (850x490) and 300dpi
using the eyedropper tool, select color from image
Back to new blank image and using photo bucket - add color
Rectangle tool - draw white box inside blank image
Select photo - ctrl A - ctrl C
Select blank image - ctrl V
Using the move tool and holding down the shift key - grab a corner and proceed to make the image fit inside.
Then save it as a jpegChris

[TonyW]

The document you've made sounds like it's 850x490 pixels. When you add the image and make the image fit you are effectively reducing that to less than 850x490 pixels. That's why the file size is small. That would be fine for posting on the web but if you want to print you'd only be able to get a decent quality at around 3x2 ins. If you want to print bigger then you'd need to start with a bigger document.

Tony

[Qriss]

Thanks Tony. Duh - sometimes I just am not thinking things thru. Yes - it's for the web.

What if I wanted to create something similar and print. What size should I start with as my blank? Say if I wanted to print an 8x10 or 11x14?

Thanks!

[TonyW]

A safe size for printing would be 8x10in at 200-300 dpi. It all depends on the camera you are using and the number of pixels you have to work with. It's generally best to avoid adding or subtracting pixels which is what the move tool does when you adjust the image size, although a little bit of adjustment likely wouldn't be noticed. Resolution (dpi) only comes into play when you plan to print - for the web the only thing that counts is the pixel dimensions - whether it's 100 dpi or 300 dpi makes no difference to the way it looks on the screen.

Tony

[elwoodsusanm]

It's generally best to avoid adding or subtracting pixels which is what the move tool does when you adjust the image size, although a little bit of adjustment likely wouldn't be noticed.
Tony[/quote]

Does this mean that if I take parts of a photo and move them to another document they will lose resolution?:confused:

[Karin Sue]

The parts you move will have all their original pixels until you resize them. Then pixels will be added or discarded as necessary.

(I don't think this applies to frame layers)