Resizing for Alamy

RacePhoto · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 04:28 AM

I may need some correction to what I believe is the proper way to resize for Alamy. Or I might have it down to a simple process.

1) Open Final version of JPG Photo
[question: convert to TIF at this point?]
2) Upsize to 5025 on longest side
This makes the photo 48.2 mb
3) Save as JPG highest quality 12

Here's the question:
Is there a difference between converting the file to a TIF and then upsizing, and saving as the new JPG, or can I just open the JPG, upsize and save as the new JPG?

I can't see any difference when I start with an original image that's 3888x2592 to start with. On the other hand my eyes are getting weak? :-D

Real simple, if I upsize a jpg or upsize a tif, and all other factors are the same, does it make a difference in the final product? One of these was upsized from a tif the other from the original jpg.

I suppose it would be better to save when I do the first edit, as a TIFF, but since I didn't know six months ago that I was going to be upsizing, just for Alamy... I have the original RAW files, and I can go through the process and re-edit everything or just use the final JPG version.

Oh by the way, above is a 100% crop of a small section of the photos, after resizing.
For reference:

AB8ND · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 10:49 PM

I'm not sure if this will help, or if I'm doing it correctly, but her goes.
I process the RAW file in PS then after any editing, keywording, etc I save the file as a psd, which I think is a tiff file anyway. I only save the file as a jpg to upload, this file is never edited or saved again, any changes are done to the psd file. For Almay I do a 110% upsizeto the psd as many times as needed 'til it is at least 48mb, then I save this as a jpg to upload. I don't save the psd upsized. I don't think I would ever upsize a jpg or save one more than once, at least a file this important. Remember a jpg will loose detail each time it is saved.

jack

rinderart · #3 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008, 04:14 AM

Simple Just take the JPG and resize to 12X18 at 300DPI. save as best Thats it guys.

Gracey · #4 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008, 08:56 AM

You'll want to upsize prior to doing any editing. Particularly things like curves, sharpening etc.

When you upsize after applying filters like sharpening you are also upsizing all the stuff the filter applies, which can give you more artifacts than processing after the upsizing.

RacePhoto · #5 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 07:22 AM

So I'm supposed to upsize everything I want to send to Alamy, before I do anything to it, and downsize everything for other sites... after I do the editing. :-D

So lets say hypothetically, I upsize the photo for Alamy, as a 48mb TIFF, and do the editing, then save it. Next I downsize that same upsized photo, to 4mb, so I can upload it to some of the stock sites and have less artifacts.

Sure would be nice to just make nice, good photos and not have to play games with the sizes.

Thanks for setting me on the right track for less problems.

Gracey · #6 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 12:05 PM

You should work from two separate copies - upsize one and process it for alamy. Use the original size to process for all the sites. Downsizing processed photos can also leave you with artifacts depending on the processing you've done. For instance, sharpening should always be done as your last step. Sharpening does a better job if you don't downsize after you've sharpened.

But frankly, you probably shouldn't be sending the same photos to Alamy and to micro sites because of the pricing difference. If people can buy the image for less than they find it Alamy, then they will.

RacePhoto · #7 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 11:33 PM

Thanks for making it easier, and explaining ups and downs, and the better way to handle them, for better quality. I'll make some notes, so I don't ask again. :-D

I do not send the same photos to Alamy, as I do to microstock, I'm only uploading RM photos to Alamy. I upload Editorial to FeaturePics. No crossover. However someday there might be some of the same news photos, at the two sites, and I'll need to make the large versions for Alamy.

Someone else suggested save as PSD after editing from RAW and then I'd have a version to upsize in the future. Or should I still always upsize before editing?

Gracey · #8 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 12:12 PM

Well, if you save as psd you should have a copy of the original as your background layer, but in essence you'll be upsizing the adjustments as well - the saving grace there is that since it's on separate layers you can adjust each layer for the optimal enhancement before you flatten it. So I'd agree that a psd file is usually a good idea - when I do a lot of adjustments for special effects, or have to remove backgrounds or isolate something I always save the psd file.

Travis Manley · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 03:25 PM

I shoot in raw, do all my edits and save as a tiff. If im uploading to Alamy, I resize and save and a jpeg.

I have taken old photos that I only had the jpeg and resized them and Alamy took those, so I really dont think it matters much.

thesupe87 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 12:57 PM

Do you guys ever save at jpeg level 10? or would you recommend saving at level 12? Big filesize difference.