Image size

[isnibs]

When I edit an image with JASC software it seemd to dramatically reduce the file size eg. I recently cropped a photo and the file size fell from 688 KB to 119 KB. This will surely reduce the quality of a print will it not ? Even if I just flip it because it was reversed it still drops dramatically . Can I avoid this at all ?

TIA

[vehelpfulguy]

Every time you edit a JPEG file you reduce the quality, that is the nature of JPEGs. This is also why you should NEVER work on the original JPEG file.

In your case you need to make sure you are saving the picture at the same quality level as the original.

For example if you save the picture with a low DPI (dots per inch) setting the file will be smaller.

See if your JASC software (Paint Shop Pro) is using a low default quality setting.

Or maybe try "Save As" instead of "Save" and see if the "Save As" window has a setting for the quality.

[vehelpfulguy]

Another thing.

If the originals are JPEG files make sure you are saving them as JPEG and not some other format like GIF.

This is easy to do if the default image type is GIF.

[vehelpfulguy]

Some interesting info about JPEGs and editing.

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/formatsjpeg/a /jpegmythsfacts.htm

Note that the article says

Q) JPEGs lose quality every time they are opened, edited and saved.

A) True. If a JPEG image is opened, edited, and saved again it results in additional image degradation

[isnibs]

Thanks veryhelpfulguy , that answered my query. I tried the "save as" option and it allowed me to select the quality I required. Great !
isnibs

[ACtheTROLL]

isn

jpeg is by definition lossy .... whatever settings you use.... each time you save you loose a little more
the way to prevent this is to always use a lossyless format - (that's why tiff/bmp survives - and hi end cameras use .raw)

or .... your editing package's own format (in your case .psp .pspimage .... depending on your version of psp). This has the added advantage that if you work with layers, filters etc .... you preserve all these as well

Normally at the very least the pro's keep a master .... create a working copy then finally publish a .jpg .... which takes up lots of space ....

[isnibs]

Thanks very much ACtheTROLL. I'm understanding more about file sizes now.
isnibs

[ianmunt]

Check the options under save as,set the slider to lowest compression,maximum quality,it seems to have a default setting that adds further compression.Make sure you rename the new file if you want to hang on to the original unedited shot,even if you simply go rom pict 001 to pict 001a for example