Resizing Images: The Basics

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Resizing Images: The Basics

Today we are completing Step 1 of the 6-Step secret formula to photo editing: Resizing

1. Crop, straighten and resize.

2. Correct any lighting issues (shadows, highlights, midtones).

3. Eliminate any possible color casts.

4. Apply any special effects (if desired)

5. Apply sharpening, if needed

Previous tutorials:

Cropping Images: The Basics

Straightening Images: The Basics

Today we will look at 5 things you need to know about resizing.

1. Si m p l e Resi zi ng:Si m p l e Resi zi ng:

My favorite way to resize an image in Photoshop, is to right-click on the top of the document canvas; choose

Image Size, and then enter the desired height, width, and resolution in the Image Size dialogue box.

In Photoshop Elements, you will need to go to the top menu bar: Image | Resize | Image Size. In the Image Size

dialogue box you will be able to enter your desired height, width, and resolution in the Document Size area. You

can also enter, in the Pixel Dimensions area, a specific Pixel size, or choose Percent from the drop-down box.

Resizing Images: The Basics

Resizing Images: The Basics

2. Resam p l i ng Im ages:2. Resam p l i ng Im ages:

We don't have to worry about losing image quality when decreasing the size of an image, but we do if we want to

increase the size. It's not a good idea to enlarge an image too much, but if you need to enlarge an image,

"resampling" can help. Resampling is what Photoshop does when we increase an image. Photoshop adds pixels

to our image, making its best guess to match the nearest pixels.

In both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, when you bring up the Image Size dialogue box, be sure that

"Resample" is checked.

Resizing Images: The Basics

Resizing Images: The Basics

3. Resi zi ng i m ages for the Web:3. Resi zi ng i m ages for the Web:

Have you ever received an emailed image that required you to scroll up and down and back and forth in order to

view it in its entirety? Chances are the image was not properly saved for web viewing. Web image sizes and

resolution are different from those that would be required for a print. A resolution of 72 dpi is just ne for web

viewing. Size dimensions vary according to the social media platform you might be using, but for standard email

600x600 would be just fine, usually.

Photoshop has a Save for Web option, which helps us make adjustments to our image easily, and lets us see the

resulting file size also.

In Photoshop CC2017 the path is: File | Export | Save for Web (Legacy)

In Photoshop Elements 2018 the path is: File | Save for Web

In Photoshop CC you have several view options: Original, Optimized, 2-up, 4-up. You can choose the le type,

the quality, and enter a speci c size if you like. Photoshop shows you the image le size at the bottom of each

preview.

Resizing Images: The Basics

Resizing Images: The Basics

In Photoshop Elements you can also choose your image type. You can set your

new image size in pixels or percent. The original image is on the left, with its size

below, and the new image is on the right, with the image size below.

4. Resi zi ng w hen Usi ng P hotoshop Styl es:4. Resi zi ng w hen Usi ng P hotoshop Styl es:

If you are resizing an image that has Photoshop Styles applied to it, you need to take a precaution so that the

Styles scale appropriately with your image. In the image below I drew a salmon-colored circle and applied a gray

stroke to it. In Photoshop CC2017, in the Image Size dialogue box, click on the gear in the upper right corner and

choose "Scale Styles." When you resize your image, the stroke will now scale keeping the same proportions with

the circle as it resizes.

I did not see an option for this in Photoshop Elements 2018, but a workaround would be to simplify any layers to

which styles have been applied, before resizing your image.

Resizing Images: The Basics

Resizing Images: The Basics

5. Fi t-To Im age Resi ze op ti on:5. Fi t-To Im age Resi ze op ti on:

In Photoshop CC2017, when you open the Image Size dialogue box, you can choose to resize to a speci c preset.

Click the drop-down in the "Fit To" option and make your choice. You an also create your own presets by

choosing "Save Preset" at the bottom of the menu.

I don't see this as an option in Photoshop Elements 2018.

Resizing Images: The Basics

Resizing Images: The Basics

As with all things Photoshop, there are multiple ways to achieve the same result. I

hope that these tips have been helpful for you.

Thank you for downloading my tutorial. I hope you have found it helpful!

Karen Schulz

SnickerdoodleDesigns Resizing Images: The Basics