Product Photograohy for the internet

[Jbeck]

Hi

I've got a problem in that when I shrink my images using Photoshop to make them the right size for the internet, the quality loss is terrible and the writing on the product's box looks teriible. Is there a way I can take product shots at a small size from the outset therefore minimising any quality loss caused by manipulating the images on my PC?

Any thoughts as to how people deal with this problem much appreciated.

Thanks and regards

James

 

[Jethro]

Are you using Save for Web option or just normal save? (That is for if you are talking about the file size)

 

[Helen B]

A large amount of downsampling can be as damaging as upsampling. Try applying just a little Gaussian blur to the full-size image before resampling to your web size (what is it, by the way?). I then apply 'hiraloam' sharpening - high radius (about 50) low amount (15 to 20) unsharp mask (USM) in Photoshop - and then normal USM, all when viewing at 100%. Save using Save for Web at about 60 quality.

 

[Jbeck]

Thanks for the replies.

Jethro - yes, I do the save for web option and it was more the downsampling issues / resultant quality loss I was having problems with.

Helen - thanks for the comments, I'll give it a bash this evening and post back how I get on. For info, the products are Christmas Crackers, approx size 30 cm x 30 cm, white box, deep red text.

Thanks both once again

James

 

[Helen B]

James,

I was really more interested in the size or sizes, in pixels, of the web image(s).

Of course one way of getting a smaller initial image is to have the product small in the original frame. Not always ideal, and you are limiting your options. I often get asked for medium res and high res images, for blogs and printed magazines, of stuff I have shot for the web. Being able to serve those guys high quality images quickly and reliably is very good business.

Good luck,
Helen

 

[Overread15 3]

Helen - I'm curious about your application of gaussain blur to the fullsized photo before resizing as I've always read that its best to sharpen and then resize rather than the blur (in fact its the first time I've read of it). Do you also sharpen the fullsize and then apply some softening before the resize or is it just capture sharpening out of the RAW and then adding the blur ?