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CLBrew
CLBrew
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Exported file dimensions too small

May 22, 2012 6:47 PM

Tags: #lightroom #files #export #dimensions #small

I can not figure out what is happening at export to give me such small files. I have searched and searched online and read all I can but I am still without answers. Any help you may be able to provide me with I will be so appreciative for.

 

This is my work scenario. I shoot on Cannon 50D in raw (15 mp). Upload the images to computer and import to Lightroom. I make my adjustmenst in Lightroom and many images I pull from Lightroom into Photoshop CS5 and do additional artistic touches there. I save from Photoshop so that it re-opens it back in Lightroom with my Photoshop adjustments. After I have done this with all of my images I then export the images my clients select for their purchased disc. This where I am concerned...

 

What I know had once started out as large raw files are quite small by the dimension size, average approximate dimensions are 4750x3170. File settings are set to quality 100 and under Image Sizing I do not have 'resize to fit' checked. On occasion I have used the crop feature in Lightroom but not on many images and all of my images are small not just certain ones.

 

I am fairly new to Lightroom but nervous about using it right now. I am actually postponing editing a new session until I can get some clear answers or I may just have to tackle the whole session in Photoshop like I used to because I will at least know that file sizes will not decrease in size.

 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

1595 Views   8 Replies   Latest reply: trshaner, May 23, 2012 6:34 AM
 
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  • JimHess
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    1. JimHess,
    May 22, 2012 6:58 PM   in reply to CLBrew
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    When you said the images are smaller, are you referring to the dimensions, or are you referring to the size of the files? JPEG images are significantly smaller than raw images, I'm sure you are aware. The only way the dimensions can be made smaller in an export is if you have indicated such. Of course, those images that are cropped will be smaller. Don't know if any of this helps or makes sense, maybe you could clarify a little bit.

     
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  • CLBrew
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    2. CLBrew,
    May 22, 2012 7:13 PM   in reply to JimHess
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    Hi, I was referring to dimensions...does 4750x3170 aprox. sound correct? Maybe I don't need to be concerned? I thought that it seemed small but perhaps it isn't? I do understand that there is compression with JPEGS. My JPEG file sizes are anywhere from 6mb to 10mb or so. I remember when I edited in photoshop alone (before adding Lightroom to my workflow) that my file sizes were always larger after an edit than when I had started, but now after edits and export they are smaller? I am sure I just don't understand something. My main concern is making sure I am doing exports correctly and that I will be able to print large images for my clients if need be. I also often give my clients images on a disc and will have no idea what size they choose to print down the road so I want them to be able to print as large as my camera allows.

     
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  • Lee Jay
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    3. Lee Jay,
    May 22, 2012 7:37 PM   in reply to CLBrew
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    The 50D's pixel dimensions are 4752 x 3168.  JPEG compression doesn't change that.  4752*3168=15,054,336 pixels, AKA 15MP.

     
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  • JimHess
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    4. JimHess,
    May 22, 2012 7:38 PM   in reply to CLBrew
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    Well, the dimensions on a NEF file from my Nikon D 90 major 4288x2848, and that is a 12 MP image. And I have printed as large as 13x19 inch prints on my home printer. Your images are even larger than mine, so I don't think they are too small. If you have Photoshop, open one of the images and check the dimensions there. I think you will find they are the same as what you are seeing from your Lightroom exports.

     
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  • CLBrew
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    5. CLBrew,
    May 22, 2012 7:42 PM   in reply to Lee Jay
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    Thanks for that info

     
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  • CLBrew
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    6. CLBrew,
    May 22, 2012 7:45 PM   in reply to JimHess
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    Thanks for filling me in about what you can print...this actually brings me to a question I forgot to ask initially.

     

    When I do re-open the file that has been edited and exported in Photoshop I show a Document size of 9.083x13.627 with res at 300. My pixel dimension is 31.9M.

     

    How can I print a 16x24 or 24x36 etc with a file sized like this? Why are my files now showing 9x13 for the size?

     

    Thanks again.

     
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  • JimHess
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    7. JimHess,
    May 22, 2012 8:04 PM   in reply to CLBrew
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    I'm afraid I'm not going to give you any formula that can guarantee a certain print size. A while back I was in a camera store and they had a large format Epson printer that was printing an image that was approximately 24x36 inches. It looked really nice, and I asked the technician how big of a file was required for that size of print. To my surprise, he said they could produce those images from a 2 MP file. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not that naïve. But how big of a print depends a lot on the quality of your printer. If you use quality online printing services like Mpix, for example, they will indicate what sizes are suitable for your image when you are placing the order. But based on my understanding and my experience (notice MY experience) your images are much larger than they need to be. Now someone will probably tell you how uninformed I am. But my experiences are all I know.

     

     

    Just one other example. At work one of our media specialists printed a huge print that measured at least 48x72 inches from a single 10 MP image. It was for a poster that is displayed in the hallway at work. And the print is absolutely stunning. So print size and quality depend, to a certain extent, on the quality of the printer.

     
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  • trshaner
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    8. trshaner,
    May 23, 2012 6:34 AM   in reply to CLBrew
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    CLBrew wrote:

     

     

    When I do re-open the file that has been edited and exported in Photoshop I show a Document size of 9.083x13.627 with res at 300. My pixel dimension is 31.9M.

     

    How can I print a 16x24 or 24x36 etc with a file sized like this?

    The required resolution for a specific print size depends primarily on the "viewing distance." See this article by Jeff Schewe:

     

    http://www.digitalphotopro.com/technique/workflow/the-right-resolution .html

     

    If your client is doing a large poster that will be viewed from two feet or more then 140 dpi should be fine. The 50D's 4752 x 3168 "uncropped" resolution equates to 34" x 22.6" at 140 dpi, so the maximum standard print size is 30" x 20." That said I've made some great looking 24" x 16" enlargements with a Canon 300D (3,027 x 2,048), which are only 126 dpi. It really depends on the detail in the picture and the target paper type. Prints on canvas material can only resolve about 150 dpi maximum and there is little benefit using higher resolution. Glossy paper provides the highest image resolution capability (300 dpi+), but will only look sharper when viewed at shorter distances (i.e. less than two feet). For smaller handheld prints (i.e. 4" x 6", 5" x 7") 300 dpi or higher will give you the best results.

     

    CLBrew wrote:

     

    Why are my files now showing 9x13 for the size?

    In PS go to the toolbar Image> Image Size. PS calculates the image dimensions based on the 'Resolution' box setting (i.e. 300 dpi). If you want to see the picture dimensions at a different resolution enter that number (i.e. 140 dpi) in the 'Resolution box.

     
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