Directions:Artists constantly need digital files of their images, often in different sizes. Some common uses are: show invitations, publications, and websites.
Let's start with the fundamentals of digital images.
There are two main components to be aware of when resizing an image: the dimensions of the image (width and height) and the image's resolution. The image discussed in the Photoshop box to the left is 6.944 inches wide and 5.556 inches high, and the image is 72 dpi, or dots (pixels) per inch. It follows, then, that when you multiply the resolution and the dimensions, you come up with the total pixel dimensions (72 x 6.944 = 500 wide) and (72 x 5.556 = 400 pixels high).
When you create your initial digital file of a finished work of art, you should try to make it as big as you ever anticipate needing. For example, if I think I will one day want to make a print of my painting that is 24 inches square, I will want to get a scan, photograph, or digital file that measures 24 inches high by 24 inches wide by 300 dpi. This is a big file, and it takes up a lot of memory--a lot more than you will ever need for a website or an email.
FOR ANYTHING IN PRINT, YOU WILL WANT 300 DPI OR GREATER!
FOR EMAILS AND THE INTERNET, YOU WANT TO RESIZE YOUR IMAGE TO 72 DPI!
Burn that into your brain.
One more thing to burn into your brain. Always start with a larger image than you need and resize down! To use a small image and resize up is like taking a poor xerox copy and hoping to blow it up into a crisp, clear image. Not good.
Now for your assignment: Start with an image of something, preferably one of your own works of art, and preferable larger than 800 pixels wide. If you don't have any digital files handy, scan or photograph one of your drawings or paintings. Save it as a jpeg, or .jpg file. Then, resize it in Photoshop or some similar imaging software. First, resize the image to 750 pixels wide and 72 dpi (the height should automatically change). Give the image a name and save it as a jpeg. Second, resize the image again to 380 pixels wide and 72 dpi. Give it a new name and save it as a jpeg. Third, resize the image again to 120 pixels wide. Give it a new name and save it as a jpeg.
Email me all three files.
