Jpeg or Tiff?

E
Posted By
E._Hagen
Oct 1, 2003
Views
418
Replies
14
Status
Closed
I use a PC. I need to retouch some photos in Photoshop. The photos were originally saved on a Mac as jpegs. 10.027in x 6.667in, 3008 x 2000 px dimension and 300 resolution. My question is how do I handle them best to keep their original quality.
1. Do I save a copy of the original in Tiff format to manipulate, or work on the jpeg and then save as a Tiff? If I have an ongoing project is it best to keep it as a Psd until it is complete?
2. Do I save them (Tiff or Jpeg?) after completing the retouch with a Mac byte order for the photographer(as well as her clients) who will be using a Mac? And then a separate copy with a PC byte order for myself? I will be using them after retouching to do other things, ie. resizing and applying filters for Brochures, Self Promos, Calenders, and Postcards.
3. When resizing these photos to send to a client what is the best method? Resize Wizard? (is this resampling?) Auto size? Or no resample, which leaves the file to big to email in most cases. Thx for any help you can give me.

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John_Mensinger
Oct 1, 2003

1. & 2. Re-saving as JPEG is destructive each time it is done, so I’d stay away from that. Photoshop format, (.psd), works cross-platform, (between compatible versions), so I really see no reason for you to save in any other format, as long as you’re handing off to a fellow Photoshop user.

3. Resizing is application-specific, but I suspect you’ll need to down-size in most cases. In the Image Size dialog, simply enter your desired dimensions, leave at 300ppi, with resample selected.
J
JasonSmith
Oct 1, 2003
#3 – if you’re emailing, then use the Save For Web, which will save as a stripped down JPEG. That is the only instance that you want to use JPEG.
E
E._Hagen
Oct 1, 2003
Thx John. My client (the photographer) will not need to use photoshop often if ever and her client in this case (a magazine) needs a jpeg, 4 x 3 with a 300(at least)resolution for print. If I save the files with image size 4×3 and 300 resolution its a 696kb file and she needs to send 10 files.I know this likely sounds like a stupid question but do most people send these in several emails. I dont want to look like a total idiot to them…haha

I am sure I need to read more about resampling, but I was under the impression that it lowered the quality of an image. So much to learn…so few brain cells…

One more question. Is it better to set the format in the digital camera to Tiff even though they are bigger files? Would this give me the best quality photo to manipulate, or is jpegs quality lowered only by saving it over and over after manipulating? I appreciate your opinion.
HS
Henry_Skinner
Oct 1, 2003
Set the camera to TIFF. The reason the files are smaller is that the camera has chucked out data in creating the JPEG. IMHO work on files with all the data – then chuck data (make a JPEG file) as the last step
PH
Photo_Help
Oct 1, 2003
You are probably better off shooting to TIF files for quality. Although you should take into consideration the delay in camera to save to a bigger tiff file as well as the lower number of pictures you will be able to shoot.

Can you see JPG compression artifacts in your images?

The quality of the JPG will be lower than the TIF the only question is how much lower. It also depends what you need to do with them, some filters will make the artifacts show up more.

You should be ok shooting to JPG’s as long as you are happy with that quality level. Just make sure you save your masters to a lossless format.

If given the option I would most likely shoot to TIF files.
E
E._Hagen
Oct 1, 2003
Thx John. My client (the photographer) will not need to use photoshop often if ever and her client in this case (a magazine) needs a jpeg, 4 x 3 with a 300(at least)resolution for print. If I save the files with image size 4×3 and 300 resolution its a 696kb file and she needs to send 10 files.I know this likely sounds like a stupid question but do most people send these in several emails. I dont want to look like a total idiot to them…haha

I am sure I need to read more about resampling, but I was under the impression that it lowered the quality of an image. So much to learn…so few brain cells…

One more question. Is it better to set the format in the digital camera to Tiff even though they are bigger files? Would this give me the best quality photo to manipulate, or is jpegs quality lowered only by saving it over and over after manipulating? I appreciate your opinion.
E
E._Hagen
Oct 1, 2003
Thx for your input. The client needs the files at 300 resolution and saving for web changes them to 72 resolution.
E
E._Hagen
Oct 1, 2003
Thx.I will do that from now on.

Again, thx for your help!
E
E._Hagen
Oct 1, 2003
Thx much for clarifying. She just needs to make sure she has several large flashcards to use, correct? The delay is in the transfer process from camera/flashcard to computer right?

I believe I see artifacts (tiny light dots?) when I zoom up higher than 200% which isnt a problem for this particular job. The damage is done because the photos were set up in the camera to be jpeg if I understand you correctly. But, I can stop further loss by saving the files as a Tiff now, right?

Do you know an answer to my question about emailing files to a client? I need to resize them to 4×3 with at least a 300 resolution but when I do that they are still just under an mb and sending 10 photos of this size through email isnt possible is it?
NB
Norbert_Bissinger
Oct 1, 2003
Pro cameras are able to shoot in Raw but you must have the Software from the manufacturer to open them or the Raw Plugin for Photoshop (included in the comming up version)This allows you all kind of adjustments and gives the best quality. This Raw is often called a Negative.

Jpg is a compression of the file which you can set in the camera to small and quality high or large and qualty normal or others. This strips a lot of data but good enough for most users including Portraits and Magazines.

When you first open the picture in PS save it to a folder in PSD format.

If you do a Image>Image Size and set the Resolution to 300pi and deselect Resample then the resulting dimensions are the best you can obtain. With Resample activated and set to Bicubic you can alter these dimensions.

To send the picture Do a Save As and select jpg as the file (littlew arow next to Format) tthen set the quality to whatever you want . I would use normal.
E
E._Hagen
Oct 1, 2003
You may have just solved one of my major problems, as I have been doing save as and then highest quality setting,resulting in a file size that is high for emailing. The client wants the file as a jpeg though, which surprised me…If I save as normal quality it will be okay for most clients purposes in your opinion?

I feel like I am the slow kid on the block here but I have learned alot today through this forum and am very greatful.

Thx
PH
Photo_Help
Oct 1, 2003
She just needs to make sure she has several large flashcards to use, correct?

If she is taking a lot of high resolution pictures. Depending on the camera it may not be that bad perhaps 1/2 to 1/4 the number of pictures she was getting with JPG’s.

The delay is in the transfer process from camera/flashcard to computer right?

There can be a delay in shooting the actual pictures with some cameras depending on how large the images are and how good the camera is. They shoot to very fast memory to capture all the data as quickly as possible then they need to write it to the card.

It will of course take longer ot transfer to the computer as well, but this is usually a non issue and just a minor annoyance.

I believe I see artifacts (tiny light dots?)

If you don’t know what JPG artifacts look like save a file using save for web to a JPG with a high compression setting (very low quality).

The lower the compression the less visible the artifacts are, but they are always there.

Depending on the quality and resolution of the CCD what you are seeing may be the digital equivalent of film grain. The only way to be sure will be when you see what the TIF’s look like.

If I save as normal quality it will be okay for most clients purposes in your opinion?

Only they would know for sure. You may want to let them know that you can send larger files if they want. Make sure they know what their e-mail limitations are (If any, Mine has no limit). If I were the client I wouldn’t want anything less than the best quality you could give me. That being said I have sent people lightly compressed JPG’s for things I know don’t have to be extremely high quality, Like CD labels for example.
E
E._Hagen
Oct 2, 2003
You have been a great help, thx.
The camera is a Nikon D100. The pictures are crisp and clear. I can zoom in till I see the dew on a bees butt… I think the problem is my lack of knowledge about resizing with the least amount of loss, and getting the files to the client thru email. I much prefer taking or sending a Cd to them. When I am unsure of something I go nuts till I know for sure that I am doing it right.
This forum has been a great help to me today. Now I am going to just shut my eyes and push the button…haha

Again, many thx…
J
JasonSmith
Oct 2, 2003

E. Hagen – sorry, I though you were emailing a low-res version to the client – yes if they need a high-res final image, the Save for Web wont work.

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