Resampling Question

[LarryHoren]

I realize this is a probably a very basic question, but I need a bit more clarity on it. If I want to take a photo that is at 72ppi and change the resolution to print it at 300ppi ...I uncheck the resample box change the resolution to 300ppi and then recheck the box ...is this is the correct way not to lose the image quality?

 

[Gavjenks]

It has to be resampled at some point, unless the ppi * the inches of your print happen to be EXACTLY the same as the native resolution of your camera.

My camera for instance, has 5,472 pixels across. So at 300 DPI, I would have to print a print exactly 18.24" x 13.68" in order to not require any resampling. Not exactly a standard size.

Every other print size at 300 DPI will require resampling at some point in the process, whether it be on my machine or at the printers. The only difference is going to be that on your machine, you can choose that algorithm (by changing the image size instead of the ppi in photoshop, for instance, you can choose from amongst several algorithms), otherwise it might happen at the printer business. But it will happen, and quality is going to be slightly affected accordingly when it does and how it does.

Another option is cropping your image so that the (cropped) native resolution does actually perfectly match up with a standard PPI * a standard print size. But the harsh constraints on your image composition from doing this is much more likely to reduce the quality of the image than resampling is.



I just wouldn't worry about it much at all. Don't resample your image OVER AND OVER, certainly, but don't lose sleep at night over precisely how the one resampling occurs, either.

 

[KmH]

You can't take a photo at 72 ppi, or 300 ppi, or any other ppi.
In the camera, your only option is the image quality (or resolution - xxxx pixels by xxxx pixels) usually as Small, Normal, and Large.

PPI (print resolution) is meaningless until you want to make a print.
Then ppi and the pixel dimensions (image resolution) determine the print size.

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