Order of Post -processing

[kandadi]

I am not sure if I am doing the post processing right and need help especially with the image size.

I have a Canon 40D and a take pictures in RAW format.
I use Photoshop CW3.
After doing some post processing on the RAW window I save it as JPEG image.
Then I crop the image if needed.
Last thing I do is smart sharpen as the last step and save it at teh max size.


I never do anything on the Image size or Resolution as I don't usually print them.
I keep them on Picasaweb and share with family and friends.
Even if I print is is usually the regular size(4x6)) and none of the big sizes.
Do I need to set the image size even for regular size photos for consistency of photos?

Also now I have a need to print some of the photos in large sizes.like (8x10).
Do I set the Document size to 8x10 on the Image size window and also the resolution like 300 ppi.

Please let me know if this is right.

Thanks for your help.

[MWerner]

Originally Posted by kandadi

Also now I have a need to print some of the photos in large sizes.like (8x10).
Do I set the Document size to 8x10 on the Image size window and also the resolution like 300 ppi.

Please let me know if this is right.

Thanks for your help.

PLEASE don't resize your photos for printing. When you have them printed at 8x10 (or any size) the printing lab will shrink them down to the printing size. I don't know if I'm explaining this correctly, so if someone else wants to explain please do.

[dharmit]

Hi,

My $0.02 worth. The aspect ratio of 4x6 (2:3) is different to 8x10 (4:5) which will also be different to the photo that came out of your camera, so if you want to get a photo in which you decide which bits get ignored then do the crop with the required aspect ratio (This can also be done at the photo kiosk), but if you are not concerned too much, let the photo kiosk decide.

As far as the image resolution goes, if you can get output in 300dpi/ppi its great but lower resolutions should also work for 8x10 prints.

Cheers

[wulf]

I don't do a lot of printing but I would imagine that, for the best results, resizing and sharpening WOULD be better IF you are sure the printer will run them off at the specified resolution.

Wulf