Using the transform tool to stretch image ?

Seajay

Seajay

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Cathy
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Hi everyone!
Need a little advice today about resizing an image please. I took some baby pics and left a little too much negative space around them. I was using the transform tool to enlarge and centre the image then continued with my normal edit.
My problem then is file size. My originals are 22.1 MB then when I finish I end up with around 5-8 MB size images.
What is the best way to do this without my images dropping in size like this. I know I should get it right in camera but for this lot of images I need your help :)
Cathy.
 
Different file formats take up different amounts of space. Some are able to compress data (the picture) without losing details, some will. I am assuming the original file is a RAW file format, and the finished image isn't? Have you actually changed the overall image size in px in the process?
 
I agree also regarding cropping by the way. The only reason I could think of to use the transform was if you wanted to enlarge an element in the picture whilst retaining the background?
 
How much space is around the images? Cropping I would agree is the best way to do it. Transform can lead to odd effects
 
Why does it matter what the file size is? At 22MB i'm guessing your original is RAW, if you crop that you end up with fewer pixels so a smaller file, if you then save that as a JPEG it will compress further.
 
Thank you everyone! Yes my fies are raw and I save them after edits to jpg. I did not crop because I thought that this way would make my fie size smaller and that to transform it by pullng it out would be better. I see I have it the wrong way round.

In the images below I did not composed them well and the baby for instance was way off to the right and too small. So to enlarge I stretched using transform holding down the alt key until I got the image where I wanted it. These aremsocial media size but just to let you see what I was trying to do.
 

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  • baby1.jpg
    baby1.jpg
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How much space is around the images? Cropping I would agree is the best way to do it. Transform can lead to odd effects

There was a fair amount around her as you could see my background etc.
Cathy
 
I must admit I don't understand the problem. Your Canon 550D has 18 megapixels, and images measure 5184 x 3456 pixels. That's more than enough, unless you're making a very very big print indeed.

I've simulated the framing you would achieve by cropping the image. IO think you've got plenty of scope to crop the image to your taste and still have plenty of pixels left to make a print.

16521-1475251372-e7491887eda5762c4841c9f1d07d9c99.jpg
 
Stewart you are right I did not explain myself very well.

I am concerned that after editing my images I am not presenting the parent with a good sized high res image. I have upgraded to a canon 6d which these images were taken with. I start off with 22.1 mb then when I upload them after edits they are showing anywhere between 5 -7 MB. I was using the transform tool to centre and place the baby where I wanted her in the final image and thought that maybe this is why my file size was dropping. This is why I asked was there a better option. So I guess my question should have been after edits what is considered a high res image suitable for printing. I love the crop you have shown and I will try this. I usually leave more space for fear parent might want a canvas and I have not left enough room to wrap. I really appreciate this advice thank you.
Cathy :)
 
Last edited:
Seajay said:
I am concerned that after editing my images I am not presenting the parent with a good sized high res image. ... I start off with 22.1 mb then when I upload them after edits they are showing anywhere between 5 -7 MB.
Click to expand...
Don't worry too much about the file size in bytes. It's the dimensions in pixels which matter.
Seajay said:
I usually leave more space for fear parent might want a canvas and I have not left enough room to wrap.
Click to expand...
If the white background on that image is typical, then it would be very easy indeed to add more space around the image in order to be able to wrap it round a canvas.
 
So really I am worrying about nothing they will be able to print these files large if they choose. Stewart and everyone else thank you. I will now use my crop tool more than the transform to get these images correct.
As always this forum is such a wonderful help :)
Cathy
 
Don't forget that large areas of plain background will compress much better than the much more detailed subject in the foreground.

StewartR said:
If the white background on that image is typical, then it would be very easy indeed to add more space around the image in order to be able to wrap it round a canvas.
Click to expand...

You can easily add extra background using the content aware fill - expand the canvas using Image>Canvas Size and then select the new bit. Expand the selection by a couple of pixels (Select>Modify>Expand..) then use Edit>Fill and choose Content Aware as the fill type.
 
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