DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Ensuring images last as best as they can
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 6 of 6, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 01/26/2008 10:32:30 AM · #1
Like everyone here I want to ensure that my images keep their quality and last for as long as possible.
My pics are downloaded of my camera as jpegs. I know that this format degenerates quickly. What I would like some advice on is;
1. Should I save them as TIFFs straight away.
2. Is it worth going through and changing everything in my portfolio or is that just wasting my time.

I have backed up every thing and have it on a seperate drive, I then copy the folder and work from the copy.

I am interested in any views.

thanks for your help.
 01/26/2008 10:34:47 AM · #2
Put them in an airtight container and keep them out of direct sunlight!
;-)
 01/26/2008 10:36:41 AM · #3
But seriously folks... JPEGs won't degenerate on their own, only by resaving over the same file. Just save your originals, and edit copies and you'll be good.
 01/26/2008 10:43:09 AM · #4
One thing I never see people clarify about "resaving" is this: (edit to add: these steps assume you save in JPEG mode)

Does NOT degrade:
- Load in photoshop, make a change, save, make another change, Save, keep making changes, Save, Save, Save. It's all okay.

DOES degrade:
- Load into photoshop, change, save, close.
- Load changed image into photoshop, change, save, close.
- Load changed image into photoshop, change, save, close.

It another words, it isn't the constant saving that degrees the image. It's when you constantly reload the changed image and save again. With each cycle you lose more data. (edit to add: now if you save and reload TIFFS or PSDs you're okay)


Message edited by author 2008-01-26 10:57:38.
 01/26/2008 10:47:16 AM · #5
Originally posted by dwterry:
One thing I never see people clarify about "resaving" is this:

Does NOT degrade:
- Load in photoshop, make a change, save, make another change, Save, keep making changes, Save, Save, Save. It's all okay.

DOES degrade:
- Load into photoshop, change, save, close.
- Load changed image into photoshop, change, save, close.
- Load changed image into photoshop, change, save, close.

It another words, it isn't the constant saving that degrees the image. It's when you constantly reload the changed image and save again. With each cycle you lose more data.

If I have a keeper photo, I save it as a PSD (Photoshop) file after editing. I believe that is a "Lossless" format, as compared to resaving over top of JPEG format, which is a "Lossy" format. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure this is the case. :-)
 01/26/2008 10:56:02 AM · #6
Oops... I left out the word jpeg!!! So much for clarifying things.

Thanks for stepping in and correcting my post. :-)

Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/12/2025 08:14:12 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/12/2025 08:14:12 AM EDT.