Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

Cindy Blankenship · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 10

Does everyone getting downloads here use PS? I'm wondering if my photo editing software is good enough. I have something called PhotoImpression 4. It doesn't do much, but so far I haven't needed anything more. Seeing all of the design, abstract types in the top downloads, I thought I'd try PhotoShop and downloaded it for free for 30 days..but it's going to take me a LOT of time to learn. The problem with PhotoImage (or my skill) is that I can't find out if my photo is of 300 dpi quality. It just gives me the dimensions in pixels/inches. So I know my photos are 2 MP or above, but I don't know if they're 300 dpi. Then after editing, a copy thank goodness, in PhotoShop, I noticed it changed it to 72 dpi. So I guess I shouldn't use the copy since it's no longer 300 dpi. Anyway is there a simple way to tell if my photo is 300 dpi? And I'm guessing if it's not and the size is at the minimum, this can't be changed?Any tips will be greatly appreciated...
Cindy

StuartE · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:45 am

As long as the image is 2mp in it's dimensions, e.g. 2000 pixels by 1000 pixels, 1700 X 1400, 3048 X 2072, don't worry about the dpi, Cindy - that's just a display value, unless you do something terrible and destructive, like tell it to make it 6X4 inches at 72 dpi, which would downsample your shot to 432 X 288... DOH!

The DPI that you're seeing is a display value - it's relative to the dimensions of the shot 300 DPI is a considered value for printing, as that's where the human eye is deceived into not seeing the dots, 72 (or 96) dpi is a screen display value - so if you want the image to display as a 6X4 full size, on a monitor, you'd set it to that... don't sweat on it, just keep your file over the 2mp mark, and you'll be fine...

Photoshop does have a steep learning curve - the results, however, are worth it...

Cheers,
Stuart

Cindy Blankenship · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 10

thanks again Stuart :-)
Cindy

JTeffects · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 294

a friend of mine is useing Gimp. I havent tried it yet, but I hear its good and easier to learn the PS..... (plus its free)

and PS does have an incredibly steep learning curve. I took a class in it in collage 5 years ago (back whtn ps 5.5 was new) and I am still learning new things all the time......

andresr · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:53 am

Photoshop is just the top software for photo-editing. If you have the willingness to learn it, results will be outstanding in no time .... I never had a lesson on it, learnt it myself and I feel very confident with it now. I suggest you follow tutorials and read a lot in forums and maybe buy a second hand book on it :) dunno, but it will pay off in the long run :)

Guest · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 3:41 pm

i use Photoshop and Capture One LE for RAW files, C1 is an amazing prgram that can make your workflow more efficent and also save some pictures from JPG hell.

Dwight Smith · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 987 Location: Santa Cruz, CA

I use Photoshop, Cindy, but if you're just getting started, you might want to try out Adobe Elements first. The interface is very similar to the full Photoshop program, which will flatten the learning curve somewhat. There are also Adobe sponsored forums that you should join. Lots of nice people there to help you learn.

All the best!