Export size

AMac

AMac

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Name
Alex
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi,
First of all I not sure I can even ask the question that I am thinking of, but here goes:shrug:

I am trying to understand image size a little better, to help me select the most appropriate sizes when exporting from Lightroom. I have read various articles but it has not really sunk into my head yet.

For example if I was going to use an image for a print in a photo book, would I see a difference in quality between the same image at 533x800, which I use for the screen, and 2336x 3504.
I think I would, as the image is stretched more at the lower size, but I am sure I have read somewhere that if you print at ?DPI then there is a maximum image size where you would not get an improvement in quality.

I am sure this is a basic question lol. If someone could point towards a link that might be suitable for my level of understanding that would be great.

Well I hope that question makes sense.
Thanks for any help.
 
If you were to print both those images at say 3"x2" then you probably wouldn't see much difference, but then go to something larger say 6"x9" then you'd see the smaller image break up considerably. whilst the larger one will still be good.

A very crude rule of thumb is that most prints are produced at around 300 dpi. So if you divide the pixel dimensions, by 300 you'll get the maximum size for that image.

However this should be taken as a guide only. It depends on a number of factors. How sharp is the image. if it's not very sharp then a large print will will look poor against a smaller one. Also dpi refers to ink on paper. We deal with pixels, and the two are different. In fact a good file can produce larger prints than would initially be thought possible using the 300 dpi rule of thumb. I have prints produced from a camera that should only be able to make A4, but have qualiy prints 3 times this size. It's about how the image is handled Not over sharpened and not over "processed", plus a good quality printer and printer software.
 
That would be a good starting point.

As I said there are a number of factors that govern image quality when it comes to printing which can mean that you can go even larger than that. It does come down to experience. For example although the 300 dpi rule of thumb says your image can only go to about 7 x 11, I would expect you to get a good quality 9 x 12 print with all things being equal, and it wouldn't surprise me if a 12 x 18 was also possible. ( This would equate to around 200dpi ).

Use the 300 dpi as a rule of thumb, and treat it that way. If you find from experience you can get larger images from your files then use that as your new figure.
 
Cheers Chappers,

That at least has given me a bench mark understanding, I can export form Lightroom at the full size.
Mind you I did think that it would print to a bigger size than that and keep the quality. However for the photo book I think the biggest is about 10x7 so I should be OK.
Thanks again.
 
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